Takahe
I’m takahe
I eat all day
don’t bother me
can’t you see
I’m feeding
my big red beak
my big strong legs
I call a lot
I plod a lot
I’m heavy
I’m takahe
I’m bad ballet
I love the sky
I see birds fly
above me
I’m looking down
I love the ground
I’m here to stay
I’m A-okay
I’m standing
I am not loud
I eat pale cloud
I eat blue sky
I multiply
but slowly
oh I was lost
to deer and frost
the tussock sang
around the man
who found me
found and saved
and unafraid
found and saved
and unafraid
I eat all day
I eat all day
I’m takahe
I’m takahe
I’m feeding
Bill Manhire
This poem is part of a commission from baritone Julien van Mellaerts to Bill Manhire and Gareth Farr for a set of songs about New Zealand birds. The other birds are the dotterel, the tui, and the huia.
Watch this YouTube video of the 2019 performance of the full set.
More poems in ‘The view from here’ series
The view from here — Ian WeddeCilla, writing — Elizabeth Smither
h e l l o a n d g o o d b y e — Michele Leggott
Breach — Cilla McQueen
Between Shingle Creek and Fruitlands — Brian Turner
In these troubled times — Vincent O'Sullivan
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