Between two
skies
Looking back
I crossed lakes
and oceans
and found my
way to Aotearoa.
One ending
fed a new
beginning
the Dutch part
of me
softly blending
into the New
Zealand skyline
Above me,
a thousand
stars
dot the night
floating in the
silver dust
of the Milky
Way
Father Sky
and Mother
Earth
took me in
their embrace
The colours of mountains
spilled into my
days.
Totara and
cabbage trees
seemed to bow
as I climbed,
grinding,
reaching
toward the rim of life.
I looked down
on a glowing
landscape
a symphony of
light
shimmering
through the mist.
And there,
in that quiet height
I saw it
the beauty
life had offered
me
Beautiful and profound poem, dear Marja. ❤️
ReplyDeleteAdorei o poema e como é bom saber ver todas as belezas que a vida nos mostra! beijo,feliz nova estação! chica
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you love your second home! I can relate to this somewhat, for various reasons. 1) I have moved only a little way compared with you, from one part of Australia to another, and then yet another; and where I am now has been my spiritual home from my first arrival here over 30 years ago – although each of the others was dear to me in the past. 2) My second husband – the one I was married to longest and with whom I had all my children – migrated to Australia from Holland with his family when he was 15, and became very much a dinkum Aussie who loved exploring our 'wide brown land' and had the personality to suit it. 3) My brother moved from Australia to New Zealand for work as a young man; he loves and appreciates it very much, regards it as his second home, and is constantly photographing its rich and varied beauty.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I don't know Australia much YET but it's on my bucket list, but moving from the Netherlands to NZ or Australia is an eye-opener Even if it is for the reason that the Netherlands are super flat lol NZ is paradise for me and you told me once that your brother lives in NZ in the North Island if I remember well. I went on holiday there in January It's picture perfect there as well
DeleteI love that final stanza, full of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteLoved the wonderful poem and your appreciation of the two skies. I perceive one sky as your identity and the other-your life.
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in 8 countries in the past years of my life, I can still divide my life with ease into two skies.
Nieuw Zeeland lijkt me een geweldig mooi land om te wonen. De natuur, de mensen, de rust. Ik las een boek van een Tim Voors die beide eilanden in de lengte heeft gelopen en was onder de indruk. Wanneer jij over de natuur schrijft, maakt het me nederig. Dat we slechts een zandkorrel in de wind zijn maar er toch mogen zijn.
ReplyDelete'Father Sky
and Mother Earth
took me in their embrace.'
Dat lijkt me een onbeschrijflijk gevoel.
What a beautiful description of finding your place in the world - there is contentment and peaceful in your words - Jae
ReplyDeleteYou have captured the emotions and experiences of many immigrants, appreciation and a warm embrace for their new home, but a certain degree of nostalgia for what they left behind.
ReplyDeleteEmbraced by Father Sky and Mother Earth sounds heavenly and actually encompasses much of the scenic wonders I've seen in film and pictures until one lucky day I get to New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to love where you live. ...Rall
ReplyDeleteMom nature has the spots for us. We try to chose the best for us.
ReplyDelete...looking back is important, but also look ahead!
ReplyDeleteThis feels so joyful and expansive as the sky itself.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely words.
ReplyDeleteDear Marja,
ReplyDeletethat sounds so wonderful – like successfully conquered heights and views that can only be seen from there. Like feelings that only those know, who have fought for them. I saw the pictures of you hiking-tour on Facebook, and I can only say: Even though it must have been very, very strenuous to hike so high and far, I would have loved to have been with you and your friends! It looked so harmonious, and the landscapes you traversed were breathtakingly beautiful.
Hugs and all the best from far away Austria,
Traude
Such a beautiful closing stanza!
ReplyDeleteBijzonder, zo mooi,,,
ReplyDelete