You hold me close when times are tough
By my side when life gets rough
Praise my gains, embrace my flaws
Backed my side despite the cause
Forever constant, Forever there
Sometimes firm, but always fair
You are my rock, my inspiration
You gave my life it’s strong foundation
Ever loving, patient, kind
And listen with an open mind
You mean the world for all you do
I love you mummy, for being you

Today is not just your anniversary
It is actually times ultimate testimony
That you were always meant for each other
Destined to be my mother and father
As you commemorate this special day
There is something that I want to say
That apart from being the best husband and wife
You will always be the stars of my life…

I know you want to spend time today
With each other without interruption
But I will take just two minutes of your time
To make a sweet declaration
I love you for being my parents
And the kind of friends that you have been
Super cool mums and dads like you
I haven’t yet come across or seen
Have an awesome wedding anniversary
Rekindle your love for each other
As I bask away in the pride
Of having the world's best father and mother

Standing
                Slipping
                                Sinking
Gasping as cold water envelops me
Waves roll over me
R
E
S
U
R
F
A
C
I
N
G
Trying again
Power behind me
Lying. Jumping. Standing.
The shore stretches in front of me
Yearning for me to come
Small bump. Topple over
Made it

The waves trickle along my toes.
The soft ocean sprays across my nose.
The sand was compliant under my feet,
Exactly where the ocean and it decide to meet.

The water rose and enveloped around my shin.
The salt water numbing against the skin.
A shell drifted, caught in the tide,
A tiny crab adrift inside.

The water drifted up to my hips,
A million kisses from the ocean's lips.
A gentle caress from the deep blue,
Though the things it hosts are too few

My surfboard drifts along beside me,
With its thruster fins undersea.
Ready to take on the waves,
The ripples play with the sprays.

When you walk along the wooded path
In the nature my heart held dear
Remember the joy that it gave me
And know that I will always be near

Remember me

When a robin announces his presence
Singing solo as the day becomes new
The doe lifts her head to listen
As her fawn drinks the freshness of the dew

Remember me

When an Otter glides through the river,
His swim is a masterful one
He engages his mate in a playful chase
Then they climb on the rocks to sun

Remember me

When the rustling leaves touch the autumn sky
Boasting colours of yellow and gold
Geese fly on their southernmost journey
To escape from the beckoning cold

Remember me

When the North wind blows through towering pines
It delivers a mid winter’s chill
While snowflakes land softly on fresh frozen lakes
And the call of the wild becomes still

Remember me

In each of these things, remember me
And know that I’ll always be near
The woodlands, God’s wondrous Creation
In his nature my heart held so dear.

As evening approaches
The sun radiates a dim light
Settling down behind the horizon
Exhausting the world of warmth

The brutal wind blows
The air damp and cold
A bonfire sits
Shedding billows of warmth

Iwi dance round the fire
Offering kai
Chanting Hymns and Waiatas
Welcoming back Matariki

Their voices reverberating in the darkness
Accompanying the crooning waves
And singing huia

Children run around
Playing tag and hide and seek
Not understanding the meaning of this special night

Men are out hunting
Hoping to catch a Moa
So they can feed their family
And prove their skills

Elders are calm and at peace
Waiting for their time to come
To join their friends and ancestors
Up in the sky

Scintillating in the sky
Matariki emerges
Symbolizing the start of the new year
A new start for all

I saw old Autumn in the misty morning
Standing shadow less as the sun rose
Waiting for the early light
And listening

Just listening

Listening to silence
For no lonely bird would sing
No humble hedge nor solitary thorn
Dared to spare a rustle

For Autumn hated the evergreens
Forever young,
Forever free from her shivering power
Forever able to shelter life

Where are the songs of Summer?
With the sun and laughter
Autumn has hidden it under her cloak
Only to be seen a year later

Sometimes Summer makes a quick reappearance
Before being stuffed back in
Along with Spring, the giver of life
And Winter, the taker of life

Honey bees hold the sweetness of Summer
In their luscious cells
Keeping it for old times sake
And to satisfy their queen

Go and sit with her
On her mossy stone
Soothe her cries
And hear her sorrows

For all Autumn wants
Is a place of rest
And someone to be there
When she needs them most

If true love exists
Then so does true hate
Even though that it shouldn't
This world should be great

We should live in a world
Filled with love and with peace
Everyone treated fairly
This needs to exist

But no

People live alone
Experiencing pain
All alone in the gutter
While getting cold from the rain

We think that we help them
By giving a meal
And hoping they like it
But all that we do is affect how they feel

We all give them food
And unhealthy drinks
When all they need is a place to rest their souls
And let themselves think

You could actually help
By making a deal
And have people support you
That wish to heal

Donate all the money
That you don’t need to own
So people can live
Somewhere they can call home


By Lydia Forrest