Ruru call

My oldest friend is a memory.

Suzanne’s face I can still find among
hard copy photos I keep under the sun seat
but her voice   her voice fades
I didn’t or couldn’t record it
& only I can witness the time she says
to my mother at our bush-held home

I don’t like them there o’possums Mrs F.     

Midnight snuffling possums were too common
to bother me but the owl     the one we call
Morepork or Ruru   the owl is a call wanting a reply
a call into darkness towards the untouchable stars

answer me
answer me

& I listen
wait for another owl’s reply
if there’s no answering call
the owl calls again  over & over
& I listen
as silence seeps into me

& absence makes itself
known to me.

Sue Fitchett

Sue Fitchett is a conservationist, volunteer fire fighter & Waiheke Islander.  Authored Palaver lava queen (AUP: 2004), On the Wing (Steele Roberts: 2014) and Between (The Cuba Press 2025).  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.