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A Land Without Emperors

Two Armies Exhibition,
Auckland 2003

Rangi Faith

In these southern islands too,
those departing a hard life
were given due respect —

& when burial came
on a beach or an island cave,
the offerings chosen
were never simple:

the egg for nourishment,
the adze for shelter,
the chisel for the unfinished
tattoo line,
& the pendant to remember
the heartbeat
and the colour of a land
without emperors,
and palaces,
& men on horseback;

here,
sandals of flax
or shoes of gold
walk the same path
to another life.