Object defined by activity (then), 2009
(Olafur Eliasson Your Curious Journey exhibition Auckland Art Gallery 2025)

The trees are a green presence
writ large in our eyes &
we talk about them
how sad crappy food is served in
this setting where wrap around glass
lets us imagine a rustle of
leaves against our skin
these trees deserve better we agree
& we agree the exhibition we’ve just seen
has startled our senses blown us apart 
I fashion a casual voice to ask
did you first see it as glass
fragments suspended in the air
light transformed diamonds or tears
yes  I saw glass you reply & add
it was of course a small water fountain
why do I suspect you read the exhibition
notes before we went in & I did not
standing in the dark room with you just
a shadow to my right
glass a scatter of tears lit from above
enters my eyes  my brain
I want to know did you see this
then erase it with knowledge
you standing beside me
thinking about the illusion
while I fill slowly with
glass glitter
& light.

Sue Fitchett

Sue Fitchett is a conservationist, volunteer fire fighter & Waiheke Islander.  Authored Palaver lava queen (AUP: 2004) & On the Wing (Steele Roberts: 2014).  Co-author or editor of several poetry books & anthologies.  Work has appeared in various publications in Aotearoa/New Zealand & overseas & exhibited in art shows. Louis Johnson Bursar 2001-2002. A new collection Between (Cuba Press) will be launched October 17^th, 2025 on Waiheke Island.