A Ship Came Into The Harbour

Aunty got lost

Walking by the moana 

Tar on her lungs 

Smoke in her hair 

Voice like oyster shells underfoot 

Aunty found me 

Walking by the moana 

You on my mind 

Someone’s son on my skin 

Body like seagulls gliding through gasoline skies

Aunty got lost 

Aunty found me 

Walking by the moana

Dying for a drink

The tides welled up over our lovers

We held each other while we drowned 

Sinking into the silty dark of the harbour 

Where other aunties and bubbas wept,

And sailed,

And slept.

Poem by Danielle Kionasina Dilys Thomson