TANGIHANGA IN THE TIME OF COVID19

 

how do we say      farewell how

 

do we make sure that our loved

 

ones make it over the cape

 

when we can’t stay with them

 

in their last

 

it’s only two

 

metres

 

a

 

part

 

 

essa may ranapiri

 

 

 

essa told me they would like this poem to be the start of a conversation among Maaori and Pasifika writers. ‘Poetry can bring us together,’ they hope.

I am happy to offer a connecting space ‘for Maaori and Pasifika writers to deal with and or celebrate whatever during this time’.

paulajoygreen@gmail.com   If I don’t answer your email within three or four days nudge me please.

 

essa may ranapiri, Ngāti Raukawa, is a poet from Kirikiriroa, Aotearoa. They graduated with an MA in Creative Writing from Victoria University of Wellington (2018) and their work has appeared in many local journals. They are the featured poet in Poetry Yearbook 2020 (Massey University Press). ransack has been longlisted for the Ockham NZ Book Awards 2020.

 

essa may ranapiri website

Victoria University Press page

The Pantograph Punch Jackson Nieuwland reviews ransack

RNZ interview

Poetry Shelf: essa reads ‘Glass Breaking’

essa on being at IIML with Tayi Tibble

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

paulajoygreen@gmail.com