My Grandfather is a Canoe: 2021

A collection of poems, but more, I think a collection of experiences, learnings, wishes, dreams, desires, and commentaries on life. The people I know. The experiences I know. All these things I know because I have a canoe that is my uncle, and my grandson keeps the canoe on course. All these things I know because I shared the pain of a woman and mother who was overcome with grief, who was protected by a Taxi driver and offered a beer by the Policeman in the morning. I know a boy who should read the things that his mother wishes for him to know. I know a grandfather who grows food for his community and then returns home to his love. I know these things because I am from the Pacific and these things are what remind me of who I am and where I come from. They remind me of my life and my world. They remind me of how I have seen someone grow on a canoe that they know is their handsome, lean grandfather to be the person that they are today. They remind me of all the things I love. We should all know these stories because we all have a grandfather who is a canoe. And that grandfather will never let us down because he loves us. Arohanui Hoturoa