pilgrimage

Peter Clague

21 October 2016

three nights in the Hurunui
those were holy days for sure
such are our observances
tracts to a slab door


bowed beneath the straps
on beam in drizzle night
resurrected by dawn’s pane
where tawa fractures light


creek sway is a liturgy
boot chant of our youth
brotherhood of the billy
who seek a tannin truth


this priest who walks before me
bent kneed & lancewood rod
the salt & savour of him
who shares my native god


© peter clague

Image Sunrise in the Hurunui, Jose Francisco