Elephant/ your room

 

An elephant walks in

 

I harp on

 

You pull your hood over your eyes

 

Why do I think you are going to talk about feelings

 

I still sit here shivering

In the part of the night like cellophane;

See through and crackly on my eyes.

 

The punishment was normal you said.

Just a bit of old piping

Quick whack on the legs

 

No words for it

 

Tar your mouth shut

A roady and his signs

Quiet guffaws and boots tack.

 

You’ve got no ears just a talking disorder.

 

Your last words echo.  I want to leave you.

 

But is that fair when you are asleep.

 

Arihia Latham

 

 

Arihia Latham is of Ngai Tahu Māori, English, Irish and Dutch descent and lives in Wellington. She is a facilitator, writer, rongoā practitioner and mother. Her writing has featured in Huia short story collections, RNZ, Landfall and Oranui journals.