New Zealand Trip: Part Two

26.12.06

Ocean Beach is crowded. Last time I was here, there were only six of us. But that was winter. Today, the sand burns and the water freezes. There is no escape from the elements.

I’ve eaten too much and I’m hungry. These hills are delicious.


28.12.06

White Pine Bush. Koro Kahekatea, strong and mossy. Cicadas sing to him. I had forgotten what green smelt like.

Tongoia Beach. Grey shingle & green hills. Beach baches.

Half-moon, sea-moon,
high above the bay.
Semaphore signals
the closing of the day.


29.12.06

What is kumerahou?

Grandma’s frail now. She’s the only person in the family shorter than me.

Water signifies to me that there are no exact answers, only journeys, ideas, opinions, evolutions. These are the important things in life. A river flows.

My aunt Vanessa is an artist and an activist. She is wise & has cool hair.


30.12.06

I have coaxed Cinderella into my room. She is jet black with peridot eyes. She looks like a fur stole when she’s quiet.

Today I checked out Napier museum. Their floors creak like frogs. I liked the portraits of our ancestors and the kitsch & art deco displays.


31.12.06

I’ve decided to be alone for New Year’s. I’ve been wandering around the house nude, dancing to terrible music. I’m drinking gin with nothing else in and it’s keeping me together, whatever Augie March says.

I’m eating stale bread and cooking sweetcorn. I’ve taught myself Joy to the World on the piano and I’m trying to do cryptic crosswords.

They said the weather would be crap this weekend. I think it’s beautiful.

I can hear the live music from down on the shore. Sitting on the top of the bay, watching the sun roll away, just wasting time…

Next year will bring many brilliant challenges.