National Anthem New Zealand

Students of the Porirua college in Wellington, who form a singing group Le Art, released a  beautiful version of our national anthem. Their video went viral on Facebook and when you listen, you know why. The first part is in Maori, the second in English.

E Ihowa Atua, 

O ngā iwi mātou rā, 

āta whakarongona; 

Me aroha noa.

Kia hua ko te pai;

Kia tau tō atawhai; 

Manaakitia mai 

Aotearoa.

God of nations at thy feet 
in the bonds of love we meet. 
Hear our voices, we entreat, 
God defend our free land. 
Guard Pacific's triple star 
From the shafts of strife and war, 
Make her praises heard afar, 
God defend New Zealand.

Who am I

Prompt Poets United: When I think about myself

Who am I

When I think about myself
I think of a quiet observer,
blending in a flowerbed of daisies
At times I drag through life
pulled down by life's gravity
plagued by weltschmertz

In my earth bound dwelling
my shutters detach me often
from me, from my soul
this part of a timeless whole,
guided by whispers of the wind
protected by the wings it carries.

When the shutters open........

I feel the aliveness of crystal cold
water, oozing through my fingers
I feel fabulous as I float like
driftwood, with my cheek turned
to the sun, caressed with kisses.

I form a sacred bond with a friend

we pierce a hole in the night

to fill it with our wishes, our pain,
our pleasures, our dreams.

We peel the petals of our heart,
to unwrap the tender parts.

I feel the strength of a mighty mountain,
the courage of a fantail flying among
eagles, the joy of a night sky
brimming with dazzling dreams
and the anticipation of a falling
star diving into new territories

I search for the secrets of the sage
I am inspired by a muse. I am in
wonder of the wisdom of the bell-bird
who doesn't retreat when it rains
but chirps and splashes in utter delight.

When I walk through my veils, 
my spotlight turned outwards

I am a soldier of peace and love

and I embrace life with a hug
I embrace life

Being human

Being human is being imperfect but that's a hard one to owe. How much better would it be to accept your imperfections and just be yourself and take life just as it comes.....a work in progress for me.

 

Being human is living

life with intention, 

like a farmer, sowing seeds,
like a man who dares to be perfectly

imperfect and perceives his strength,

in the mirror of his adoration

perceives his weakness,

in the mirror of his anger

 who forgives him selves
so he can pass this gift to others,

whose reflected cracks 

will be materialised in unity

Where hands hold hands 

like a string of fireflies

lighting up in sparkling display

Where the ones who see

get born into wonder as they learn

 to love themselves and live life

from the inside out

Being human is breaking

free of being held hostage

by our thoughts,

by our emotions,

by our expectations

by releasing one thread

of vibrant fiber at the time

as we’ve outgrown this garment of living

we step barefoot on the lush green grass

in the open field, stretching our arms 

to set free this bird of control 

and unrestrained we go

where the wind blows, 

where the stream flows

to follow the silent path of faith

in all our brokenness

as only the crescent moon,

knows it was whole all along

A kiss from the count

Back in town to write for Poetry United with the prompt: Lust

photo from here

A kiss from the Count

"Drift into my dream of love" he whispers, 
gazing in the eyes of innocence,
reflecting an enchanting gentleman 
 guiding her to a space, where the sky
is cushioned with silver clouds 
above lupine lined milky roads 
mysteriously mesmerising

On this passage to paradise, he covers
her with charm and bends forwards
to seal her opal neck with his lips
Finger tips, slide softly down her silky skin
Her swelling lust......crashing
as red velvet drops merge into
a riverbed, meandering along her body

Okarito, West Coast New Zealand

and than there is NZ My husband who had stayed behind when I went to the netherlands wanted to go out as well. We went with friends for a weekend to Okarito a coastal settlement of 30 people on the West Coast of the South Island. It has a stunning views on the mountains and a beautiful lagoon, home to lots of birds.

Sunset on the first evening, Lucky

The reflection of the mountains in the water was magical

Many people went for a walk on the beach on this mystical night

Our friend filming the powerful waves

A constant play of crashing waves

The lagoon The men went fishing from the old hut

Remains of old times make for a good picture

The trig walk was a steep track to the top but this view was worth it

The pointy peak on the right of this mountain range is Mount Cook

Visiting Wijchen and surroundings and Giethoorn

I went on a visit in Holland to meet up with this bunch (my brothers) my mum, friends and family

I had lots of wonderful get together's complete with great Dutch food.

The city of Nijmegen  Above you see the weigh house from 1614

The city of Den Bosch

I walked a lot with my brother around my hometown and came along the castle of Hernen,

   along grazing horses

along farms

and lush grass land.

Impressions of a visit to Giethoorn, the Venice of the North. We hired a boat and got lost on the canals. We finally returned after 3 hours :)

One of the few working mills in Holland in my hometown Wijchen
Home sweet home