E Nga Iwi o Ngai Tahu
Keri Hulme is of English, Scots and Ngai Tahu descent (her people come from Purakanui and Otakou). She spends her life writing and whitebaiting, and will shortly publish a novel, The Bone People.
She says: “My mother is from a Ngai Tahu hapu, Nga Terangiamoa, and when a friend, Rowley Habib, asked, ‘Where are your bones then?’ I started to think this poem.”
Where are your bones? My bones lie in the sea Where are your bones? On south islands, sawed by discovering wind
Where are your bones? Whisper Moeraki, Purakanui, Arahura Okarito, Murihiku, Rakiura ...
Where are your bones? Lying heavy on my heart
Where are your bones? Dancing as songs and old words in my head Deep in the timelessness of mind
Where are your bones? Here in my gut Strong in my legs walking Knotting in my fists, but
Where are your bones? Aue! My bones are flour Ground to make an alien bread
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/KAEA19791201.2.14
Bibliographic details
Kaea, Issue 1, 1 December 1979, Page 16
Word Count
162E Nga Iwi o Ngai Tahu Kaea, Issue 1, 1 December 1979, Page 16
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