Once I was a Pohutukawa
Stretching my ancient limbs to the big blue sky
My big hidden roots buried deep in the warm safe earth
While I drink from the fountain of life

Once I fought for dormancy over the canopy up above
While winning the war for the space on the forest floor

Little kiwi bird scratched at my vast base for food
The cool night air rustling through both leaf and feather
While in the hot sun my strong branches reach protectively around the fantail nest
And I listen to the mother feed the eager youth in my arm

I was a good a Pohutukawa
But one day little flames danced around me
Swallowed me whole
Now I’m me