Our wonderful Write On writers at Heathcote Valley School were wondering about their whakapapa at Matariki.
Dear Ancestor,
I don’t know who you are
or what you do
or how you live
or if you’re royalty
or when you were born
or when you died
or if you’re buried in a tomb
or if you lie bones and all
in a concrete castle three tiers tall
so tell me, Ancestor,
who are you?
Holly N Year 8
Dear Ancestor,
What did you say
your wise words echoing through the village?
Did people come and ask you questions?
Would you respond in a loud booming voice?
Or a small comforting voice?
How did you dress?
Your kiwi feathered cloak down to your ankles
and a wooden stick carved to you and held in your palm
a single leaf covering your bits
a serious face ?
Strong and powerful?
Zara R, Year 7
What I Wish
Dear Ancestor,
I may not know your name,
but I do know that you made
Queen Victoria’s throne, and I
have a few questions for you.
How long did it take?
Did you slave away
day and night, forging a
throne of such high splendour?
What did you use?
Pure gold, jewels and gems
of rainbow ruby, amber, topaz,
jade, sapphire, amethyst,
rhodonite, diamonds of highest
discovery?
Dear Ancestor,
I may not know
your name, but that is what I wish.
From your however many greats,
granddaughter.
Sian W, Year 8
More Matariki Star Poems to come!
(c) Write On and the poets.