The Wisdom In The Rending Wind - The Ruru Or Morepork Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

The storm is shifting rafters, lifting eves.
It’s dangerous to walk against the wind
And black rains lash and sting the hillsides blind
As now, so then hau puhi howls and heaves.

Those born of rutting sky and earth have sinned
And sorrows blow against the cliffs and trees.
The children rend the darkness, seize the light
And grief and yearning strain the breaking seas.

Now owlish eyes can turn from side to side
And guard as spirits stray and wander wide.

Dark and emptiness flee before the sight
Of warmth and wisdom as the gale retreats -
And you my friend will croon ruru tonight
When the waking Bush its dusky lover greets.