Kapiti Island lies off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, about 50 km north of Wellington. Its peaceful state contrasts with its turbulent past.
(Photograph taken by the author, 5 January 2010)
The island looms offshore,
guardian of the nearby coastline,
summertime innocence protruding
from the soft blue sea.
In winter’s wildest weather it releases
dark secrets from the past.
Sheltering ghosts and bones
of war-faring Maori tribes,
of ocean-going whalers
and their bloody slaughters,
not letting their stories rest untold.
Today birds live unknowingly,
a simple, protected life
free from the deep dark secrets
of times gone by.
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