This lanky child runs along the shore
cooling her feet in tidal pools.
Wherever she treads in spring
grasses are more tender.
On sultry days, she rides a pony
inland
then with quick hand-slaps
divides its mane in two.
Sometimes she perches in forest
trees among pellucid ferns.
Their fronds are shining whorls
she tunes with her little finger
to any wayward wind.
Far down, the stream shimmers,
and the child sings a promise
to the weeks to come.
water water
stars are winter’s flowers.
Credit Note: “The Happiness of Rain” is the title poem of Jan Hutchison’s new collection, published by Steele Roberts. Watch out for my interview with Jan, which I’ll be publishing here later this week.
The Tuesday Poem: You can check out the other Tuesday Poems for this week on the Tuesday Poem blog:- the hub poem at the centre of the page, and all the other poems to the left.
Oh, this is such a NZ childhood poem! 'The fronds are shining whorls she tunes with her little finger' – calmness, stillness, tiny details that convey so much. Just beautiful. Thank for for sharing Jan's poem, Tim! Will look forward to the interview.
Thanks, Elizabeth – and, as I know you know, the interview is now online!