Newborn
countless birds heralding your birth
this morning
melodious tui - liquid music
in Grandies' lovely island garden
me admiring and whistling their songs
following a video call - family magic-tech
you sleeping on your mother's shoulder
your father kissing you gently
a drowsy baby
mouthing your own hand
strong clever lovely hungry and half-asleep
your lyrical name our best song
no words possibly meet this wonder
ataahua tane on this whenua – a spring-time arrival
my friend and I anyway plan books and songs to celebrate
wondrous days of blooms and gasps – arohanui
misty good green land – spring sun almost overhead
fresh light welcomes you our newborn and all you bring
Raewyn Alexander writer and artist, kia ora resides in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, a fourth generation NZer (since 1840), French, English, Scottish, with Maori whanau now Ngāti Kahungunu, me Autetaki Cook Island Maori. Her work's enjoyed world-wide. Wah-wah Gallery Grey Lynn, is exhibiting, Brilliant Company, (paintings, artist books, and drawings), December 2022 - more work here- www.read-nz