Trailing Through Tāmaki Makaurau

1.     Images of a pixel galaxy

    glide across the underbelly of Stardome.

    Collective retinas dot-to-dot constellations.

    We pulse neon in the womb of genesis.

2.     IMAX movie magic

    projects 3-D lips through darkness,

    past the row of popcorn kids

    to surround sound me a kiss.

3.     Western Springs gangster geese

    waddle their feathered rumps to encircle tourists;

    hustling for bread – standard fees demanded

    for click-click-click of Nikons.

4.     Chevalier, your waters tremor beautiful

    under the moon and the sun.

    When I dive beneath your skin-deep

    I dissolve into ballerina ocean.

5.     At one end of Long Bay

    stands a cliff engraved with white noise

    that blares in the barnacle ears

    of hacked rock whales.

6.     Bark-skin of fat octopus limbs

    spew from Albert Park’s dank incense earth.

    Feels like wooden elephants;

    smells like Papatūānuku giving birth.

7.     Swollen dancer extends a butterfly greeting --

    temptation at Botanic Gardens.

    Beware of efflorescent thorns in fluorescent fields

    when the sun sets at Eve.

8.     A crucifix of tubular lights

    carried up Mount Roskill by orange vest workers;

    Auckland Council Christianity

    burns noughts and crosses confessions.

9.     An army of miniature green blades

    stand at attention in my backyard.

    A neighbour visits in his wheelchair.

    His feet do not bleed.

Published in 'Blackmail Press' - March 2017