Waka 93

My face is broken by the waves.

I am the sea, ocean, giver and taker,

primordial pre-culture pre-life.

To define me is to limit me,

one may as well define the planet.

Yet I am delicate, can feel a piece of wood

slip across my eye, can feel the calls

of men rowing as they dip into me

as if I was a well to scoop from.

Some of these I have taken

into the waters of my being.

So I am part human.

Waka 94

I am Tane Mahuta – and not offended

to be introduced at this late stage.

This is Tangaroa’s story. I merely supply

the vessels. They are a small chink

in the arsenal of Tane. I command mountains,

influence the rain, the presence of my legions

directs Tangaroa’s motions (you know,

from space you see clouds amass above

my forests, my children). I am a long-term

kind of god, not drawn into quick effect.

It is suitable that I am placed near the end

of the Star Waka, to emphasise my length.

Waka 95

I am Tangaroa, Lord of this domain

Star Waka travels. The sky

is my only mirror. I pluck people

for the ridge-pole tekoteko of my mighty whare.

I am kind.

I allow the carvings to talk to one another

about the lives they represent,

occasionally let them change

the stories. Tane may boast

about his size, but I

am the only one to rival the size

of our parents. He took them away

from one another – even though

they are big, an immensity each of them,

their love came immensely too.

It breaks them into bits and pieces

from the heavens – all of them –

to the tiniest piece of Papatuanuku.

I felt this as their closest child.

Star Waka, do not be fooled by Tane,

betrayer of my beloved parents,

come dive into the sea – here

I will send waves – don’t deny me

you won’t be spared because

my waves can turn land over to water

in a thrashing horrible instant.

Give up. I am Tangaroa

owner of the feasts of the sea

the harvester of deities

and you the crew of a little waka

shelter on a dead fish’s back!

Waka 96

I am the star waka

guided by the left eyes

of the ancestors

in our black heaven.

Sometimes I carry stars

to Hawaiiki for release

into the night.

Sometimes I continue

the explorations

begun by our expeditions

into knowledge.

I have been sent back

to retrieve crops

and I have returned.

I have been sent

into the furthest corners

of the realms of the Pacific,

brought kumara

from Peru, carted stories

of crews gone into the dust

of the black heaven

inhabited by your father,

and under the cloak

of his protection,

and through the encouragement

of his wife, the mother of all beings,

I deny you, Tangaroa.

I will not sink beneath you today.

Waka 97

Pray for the crew