Simon Todd was first published in Unite in 2005 and his work has appeared in many literary journals in New Zealand. He lives in Wellington, NZ and edits and maintains two literary journals. www.papercut.herobo.com

Simon Todd

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Somewhere in the chain

I am but a worm struggling in a Kākā's beak

an insect, stuck in a Tui's mouth,

a mouse struck by a Kārearea.

Some days I feel golden as nectar, but before I enrich my self, I'm robbed quickly, by something so peaceful as a Korimako.

I begin to feel like coming and going like a Mātuhituhi,
reappearing, and fading,
I feel on the edge of death, like a Tieke,
I feel as if I were a South Island Kōkako, here, but not.

 

I am all but caught up in a race,

The stoats are stealing eggs,

Rats are chewing on the feathers of the flightless

and the feral cats are grabbing all they can.

I am but a worm struggling to be free from a Kākā's beak,
an insect stuck in a Tui's mouth, a mouse struck by a Kārearea,

I am but struggling, starving to be free.