Rena May Hough

ASK THAT MOUNTAIN

It is tempting
to will away with silence
wile away in debate
the atrocities, piled upon
those of Taranaki.

When,
all that is written is wrote
all that is said is spoke
all that is done is done
all Te Whiti-o-rongomai
ever wanted
was to prevent
the blanket
of his heart and soul
being stolen
being ripped
being trampled
from his back
from his people.
Even in the preventing
he shared.

If you travel
through Taranaki
stop awhile
beside the road,
get out of your car
take off your shoes
stand awhile
upon the blanket of
Te Whiti-o-rongomai
and his people.
If you should still
be in doubt,
“Ask that Mountain”
It will tell you.

Author’s Note: The title of this word-child is copyright to “Dick Scott” from his book of the same name “The Story of Parihaka” 1975.