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CAPEWARDS

by  LONGJON

Posted: Monday, June 16, 2003
Word Count: 176
Summary: East Cape is a remote part of the Horth Island. The Tuhoi people are the Iwi or tribe of the area, and are known as the "Children of the Mist", because of the misty Urewera Forest in the centre of the Cape, that they inhabit.





Go softly down that narrow road,
eastwards to the Cape
And the seachange will come slowly
to help your dreams take shape.
Summon up the whisper god
from the forest shade,
And never try to reach the Cape
until you’ve homage paid.

Seafringe on your left now as you
head out, Capewards way
Long and empty beaches
on the road to Waihau Bay,
Where the stars light up the darkness
like diamonds in a bowl,
And the nightsilence wraps round you
closer than your soul.

As the silver fingered sunlight
waves away the morning mist
Your spirit will rise, smiling,
as if it had been kissed.
Ride early past Cape Runaway
and on to Horseshoe Bay,
A secret little haven where
the dawn child starts its day.

For the land and people here are one
and hold their heartland dear,
The single road runs round the edge
and can’t let strangers near.
But when your ride is over and you
reach the southward bend,
Bid farewell to the whisper god
and leave us as a friend.