The Dream

Tu Tangata, Issue 21, 1 December 1984, Page 34

The Dream

I had a dream the other night, That all the trees stood up to fight For the right to survive in their own native land, For the right to expect a helping hand. On a moonless night with mortals asleep, A meeting was held in the forest deep. Each species of tree had their kaumatua there With kindly old Totara taking the chair. The Lancewood performed the mihi, The Rata led the prayer As the trees all prayed for guidance For everybody there.

With the karakia over, the meeting then began, Fighting for survival, they were looking for a plan. The weathered wise old elders spoke, patiently at length To try and subdue the rumblings They heard rising in the ranks. But all their worldly wisdom fell upon deaf ears As those headstrong fiery youngsters Ignored the knowledge gained with years. “Talking”, they all shouted, “is just a waste of time, Action is the answer, to stop the march of Pine, In all of Ngatihine, just stop and look around, Weekly, daily, more of us are flattened to the ground. Let us gather all together and fight this bloody war, Let us go to meet these Pinemen with their slash hooks and their saws! Oh how the ground did tremble, Oh how the ground did heave As this mighty wooded army, slowly took their leave The very earth was split apart with a rending frightening roar As with uprooted feet a’dragging, they rumbled off to war. The hours passed more swiftly, a cock crowed in the dawn, But not a tree did falter, nor look the slightest worn. Their plan to fight the Pinemen was simple in its way The trees would be there waiting, when man commenced his working day Before they could get started, with slash hook and with saw, The Puriri and the Totara would grind them to the floor.

The mighty army had arrived at the Pinemen’s starting spot To fight for their survival, to stop this killing lot. They stood there waiting silent, impatience written plain When with a hissing crashing bang, Rangi sent torrential rain. The thunder crashed its anger, the trees looked round in vain For they all knew the Pinemen won’t cut trees in the rain.

A gnarled old Taraire raised a branch as signal to be heard And the thunder stopped with a resounding crash So that all may hear his word. “This is a sign”, the Taraire said, raising his tired voice, “A chance to rest, regain our strength, for we still do have a choice, Let us call on Tanemahuta, ask him to show us how, For while we can put up a fight, we will never win the war. Let us wait here patiently whilst Rangi sends more rain, For Tane surely knows we’re here and will come to ease our pain.

A sudden gust of rushing leaves Was the only sign they saw But even the most impatient there, could only gaze in awe. For standing straight before them, looking down with pride Was Tane, God of trees and birds, his hands down by his side. That their ancestral God should come, was a miracle come true Tane had the wisdom, he would tell them what to do. Tane started speaking and the trees made not a sound But edged their way still nearer, till they were gathered all around. “I have not come to tell you, how to win a war, But listen carefully to my words, for you may be very sure That I am watching with you, and sharing all your pain Which increases daily tenfold, as I see our forests slain. But stop, and think my children, even if they cut you down Fire, slash hook, saw and axe cannot kill below the ground. As each of my children fall, with slow majestic grace Another tree will send forth shoots and stand there in his place. Then in the distant future, when pine trees cease to be, Your seeds will germinate and grow, to reach maturity. There are also, I must tell you, mortals fighting on our side, Who love the native trees and bush, and care for them with pride. The battle that these wise men fight, for our native trees and birds, Is not a mighty show of strength, But a battle fought with words”.

And in my dream I watched them, Their kaumatua to the fore While far off in the distance Came the savage sound of saws. But the trees showed no more anger now As they pondered on his words, They knew there was a future now.