beauty sunrise, 26 June

The Brightest Star

Matariki, the brightest born star
I see you even from afar
The keeper of peace and family
I say goodbye to you sadly
I see your beautiful woven cloak
The stars I know about, everyone has spoke
Your loving and caring nature
Your brave and daring dedication
Matariki, my favourite star
and born from Tāwhiremātea
The sweet and nourishing mother
A star brighter than all the others
Matariki, the brightest star
Rests in the heavens above. 

Thomas E, age 9, Richmond Rd School

Dear Grandad (a poem for Matariki)

Dear Grandad,

The bed creaked
as you turned
your fragile body

You scratched your sandpaper-like skin
your joyful smile
enlightened the room

while the soft wind
kissed your cheek

you got older day by day
while telling your priceless stories
you loved to tell

you loved eating
thick ice cream
that made your teeth sting

your memory
was like dust
easily swept away

I wish I could’ve said goodbye

I love you, Grandad

 by Mushal F, Year 8, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Yesterday morning we got up in the pitch dark to go to my appointment. Mars was hovering, the sky miraculously clear of clouds. We stood on the water’s edge watching the sun lift behind Rangitoto. Breathtaking beauty. Utter peace. Perhaps we all tread the arc between uncertainty and joy, as I currently do, finding ways to nurture and nourish not just ourselves but those near us, taking time to absorb the sky, stars, bush, words on a page, the voice on the airwaves.

Poetry Shelf is my anchor, soaring kite, heart-tingling road trip. I am so grateful for the way you support my ideas, other writers, our books. It feels like our reading and writing communities continue to build and inspire.

This week I relaunched Poetry Box because I love connecting with children, teachers, school librarians, children’s authors. I loved Rachel King’s recent piece on why she writes novels for children rather than adults. I adore doing both but I get this completely. There’s a bit missing when I’m not writing and blogging for children. I believe words have super powers – whether in books or orally, read or written – because they are a vital key to self discovery, self travel, both global and local learning, a way to foster empathy kindness peace. My continued aim is to spark children to fall in love with what words can do, show and create. I want children’s fingers itching to write in myriad ways on myriad subjects and beyond myriad frames. I am so grateful I can once again work online with our precious tamariki across the motu.

This week I invited young poets to celebrate Matariki, and have included a couple for you to read. The Poetry Box festival of Matariki poems is here.

Today, as I sit down to my warm cheese scone and coconut milk coffee, I say thank you; thank you for your kind emails, your incredible support, your sublime poetry and your equally sublime storytelling that lifts and transports us all.

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori!

Matariki at Pōhara beach

The skin of the ocean 
wrinkling the breeze.
The eyes of the wind skipping
on the sand. 
I walk into the shallows,
Waitā holds me close.
Matariki’s breath brings warmth.

Raphe, Y8, age 12,  Medbury School

Matariki Riddle

I’m a phantom at day
at night I’m shining bright
I’m named after a flower
blossoming red light.
(pōhutukawa)

Liam P, age 10, Richmond Rd School

Matariki Light

Matariki guides kiwi to their homes in the forest.
Matariki guides me to my family.
She lights my way I write her this poem.

Iris Li, age 7, St Andrew’s School