Poem for Poets and storytellers United
Travis Wetland is one of the places I go for a walk sometimes. It is the largest wetland area in Christchurch 56.5 hectare
It has the second largest gathering of birds and there are about 700 Pukeko's in winter overthere
I read this poem at the Wild Otautahi Poetry Evening You can listen to all poem at:
Travis Wetland
Te Reo o Te Repo
The voice of the wetland
whispers with misty breath
from the otherworld,
through trembling reeds
and tender grasses standing tall
in shallow water.
Swamp sounds of secrecy,
signaling the squirming eels.
Te Reo o Te Repo
The voice of the wetland,
scattered sounds of dabbling ducks,
gabbling geese.
Two black swans perform
a pas de deux on the lake,
gliding gracefully in synergy
adored by swamp flax
stretching at the water’s edge.
Te Reo o Te Repo
The voice of the wetland
calls me to this untamed world,
a canvas washed in green and blue.
The soft blur of the Port Hills,
silhouettes of shags on the skyline.
In the foreground, the blue-breasted
Pūkeko completes this perfect
painting by mother nature.
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| Pukeko |
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| Pied Shag |
Hi Marja - wonderful poem ... loved reading it as I sit here in (for us!) glorious swampy heat! Wonderful way you've described Travis wetlands ... 'using the voice of wetlands' ... I can see it all. Thanks - delightful ... as too Pukeko and the Pied Shag ... gorgeous part of the world - enjoy your walks ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThe way you describe the place with its shallow water,swamps, ducks, geese, swans - shows the great attraction you feel for it. It's nice that the Maori language and wetland get recognition in your poem.
ReplyDeleteA trip down to the coast to see the wetlands would be great! I think I miss the smell most of all.
ReplyDeleteYou make it sound very wonderful – as the photos also indicate.
ReplyDeleteYou had me longing for it, until I got to the "squirming eels"! Beautiful description other than the eels! Interesting birds. Those are new to me, being in Oregon. I read a shag is a kind of cormorant. Those I know.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words and pictures Marja. I'd love to have seen the baletic black swans!
ReplyDeleteIt is always good to unwind and to visit the wild world of animals and birds to remind ourselves how beautiful it can be.
ReplyDeleteA very inviting poem. Luv the sound of the wetlands repeated.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday, thanks for dropping by my blog today
Much💛love
I long for a lazy day spent admiring the beauty of the wetlands. This piece reminds me how lovely it is to spend time this way.
ReplyDeleteIt's like a song in a musical, haunting and magical, a time out of time. What will happen there?
ReplyDeleteyes, mother nature paints the best paintings.
ReplyDeletethis sounds like a great place to go bird-watching.
This is beautiful and such a peaceful place--your sense of the voice of the wetland is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteSuch a delicious commentary on the wetland, its sounds, secrets and inhabitants. You telegraphed its peacefulness beautifully. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful your song poem .... I have been blessed with one visit! Hope for a second one day. Such a beautiful Island Country.
ReplyDeleteOur Wetlands are a precious asset, we must protect them. Half or 60 percent of ours was given over for
ReplyDeleteoil exploration and drilling but I thing the new regime will or has efforts to cancel all of those orders.
I like the "Reo o Te Repo", google knew it but didn't pronounce if for us.
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Another good one.
ReplyDeleteSwamp sounds of secrecy … is so aptly put, Marja, as there are worlds within worlds hidden from human eyes and ears in such whispering places.
ReplyDeleteIt s a poem but you have described it so well, I can imagine the scene. The wetlands have their individual personality as you describe and the birds are peculiar too. We have the herons and egrets. I enjoyed your poem.
ReplyDeleteI so love learning about places I've not heard of before. What a fabulous poem to match :)
ReplyDelete