Pen to paper

Photo by Krzysztof Niewolny on Unsplash   We’re hunting for bugs We’re hunting for bugs that are slimy and small We’re hunting for bugs that are skinny and tall Bugs that are sluggish and squishy and slow Bugs that are busy with places to go Bugs that have shells and bugs that have wings and bugs that are living in soft, mushy things We’ll use Nana’s lunchbox.   She’s sure not to mind something to carry the bugs that we find We look under rocks and dig in the ground If something moves we make squealing sounds! Then we all yell with a racket and roar “There’s one, no, there’s two!    There are insects galore!” All in a flurry we hurry to catch scattering, chattering beetles and ants! They duck and they dive, they hop and they fly finding escape in the ground and the sky But we’re the best bug hunters you’ll ever see and we capture the bugs, on the ground and the trees Nana’s lunchbox is full to the brim of slugs and big bugs so with rascally grins We proudly march i...

The Miracle Every day there was less to eat in the cupboards. My insides felt shrunken and I wanted to lie down most of the time. Mumma would cry herself to sleep at night and ask in her dreams, “What have you done to us my husband?”   The man to which our father owed a great deal of money came regularly to our door. He’d point his pudgy fingers at my brother and I. “Those boys will be mine by the end of the month.” Mumma had given him almost every possession but he wouldn’t be happy until he’d pillaged us of hope. We heard the commotion before we knew what it was about. A prophet was in town. I imagined a man, eyes blazing fire, hair unkempt with flowing robes. But when we saw him in the crowd, he looked as normal as any other man.   Suddenly my mother surged forward and knelt in the dust, calling to the prophet, bold and desperate.   “Your servant my husband is dead,” her voice cracked with emotion. “ And you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is comin...

The Victory “Ka mate ka mate!”   Hemi cried out! Fire in his belly gave grit to his shout He stamped on the field, defiant in stance Pukana fierce for his victory dance The full back opponent looked shaken and pale as Hemi let out a thunderous wail! “Ka ora ka ora!”   w ith try line in sight Hemi cried loudly with all of his might! Thighs and hands trembling, Hemi stood tall Drop kick in first and then came a maul Hemi rushed forward, contesting each play and during the rucks he dived in the fray Sweat and steam pouring as winter rains came   Hemi was pensive, each score was the same An error in judgement, a penalty kick! Full time approaching, they’d have to be quick! Southerly gales skewered the ball! ‘Ka mate ka mate,’ Hemi felt small. Wait!   A small glimmer of hope shining through! As rain clouds departed he knew what to do. ‘Ka ora ka ora,’ He ran at them hard, charging defenders positioned on guard! The clock winding down, Hemi sped at the line, Touch judge de...