Tiare in Steel-caps

29 May, 2009
(For Ana and Vii)

 

Tiare walks out onto the factory floor

the start of the shift is to answer the call

begin the day's work - the lift and the haul

 

women in steel-caps wear hi viz bright

wait for orders from machinery lights

 

arms lift full trays at machinery pace

tubes in the trays compete in the race

speed-up the through-put : step-up the pace

 

flexing of shoulders - releasing the tension

cracking of fingers  - white bone in back tenses

 

the gleam and the cut of machinery clacks

the trickle of sweat on the brow, down the back

unload the trays : fill-up the racks

 

Tiare, they work at the cut and the gleam -

over their heads, the Frigate Bird screams

 

the women they work with their will and with care

their strength and their pride are the clothes that they wear

like the fragrant Tiare they wind through their hair

 

the measure of time is the bend and the lift

the 11th hour limp on the 12 hour shift.

 

the cry goes out cross the factory floor

"Tiare are leaving, they move to the door!"

 

and the blooms turn their face t'wards the warmth and

the light

the flowers turn their back 'gainst the dark of

the night

 

and the floor it did move,

and voices did rise

"Tofa Soifua. Goodnight and Goodbye".

 

Tiare stand straight their backs to the wall

Tiare stand strong when they answer the call

 

A voice that is One,

A voice that does rise

"Tofa Soifua. Goodnight and Goodbye".

Banks Ngariki