I am here as a token
A voice for my people and my ancestors
As a browning plaque in need of polishing
In the day a middle class white girl
Uses my ancestors voice
Uses my land
A beautiful ei on her head
To caption a photo of her on the beach
Something about loving her body the way Gauguin did
To think that my people would be worthy of that kind of
Out of context type reference

I am here as a token
The truth behind the girls who say that Raro taught them how to love an island love
Who bathed in flowers and sand
Saying it is as though the island spirit has possessed her
And she has the power to bestow it upon you
The real island love is hidden between the pages
Of the copy of the holiday leaflet
My nana gave her
The leaflet that I wish had never been translated to English

I am here as a token
Handing out my peoples story
For the honor of revealing that we have more beauty than retreats
To reference my sisters whos bodies have been put on a stage as entertainment
Despite being a show of beauty and island culture

I am here as a token
To educate of my people
To remind you that I come from a people who used constellations to find their way
My people are beautiful and rich in spirit
My culture is more than a holiday destination
Or an instagram post to flaunt your body