Walk a mile

Aotearoa

At the edge of the world, a glimpse
of heaven. Nestled in the bush,
tuatara tunnel beneath toppled totara,
eagerly awaiting nightfall.
A melodic warble winds through the bush,
ricocheting and rustling leaves.
Overhead, a long white cloud shelters
and protects a hidden treasure.


Acrostic. Written 7 June 2014.

Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand. It translates to 'land of the long white cloud' and is roughly pronounced 'ow tay ah roh ah'.
Tuatara is a reptile, endemic to New Zealand. It is nocturnal. Tuatara is pronounced 'too ah tah rah'.
Totara is a tree, endemic to New Zealand. Totara is pronounced 'toh tah rah'.