Hinerangi

Dedicated to the daughter of a dear friend of mine.

Hinerangi

i. brushed your
hair last night
after you
rescued
your kidnapped
brother

- out of the way
for your birthday

clever hine

ii. the thin strands
fine strands
of your hair
my hair
your mothers hair

slip

beneath the hair brush
catching occasionally
on minute tangles
travelled
piece by piece

by my fingers
my mother's fingers
your mother's fingers

iii. we plait

plait together
all the
strands
hands
lives
Hine


Note: Hine is a popular Maori girls name. It also translates (singular and plural) to girl.