Iona Winter

Tag: poetry

  • limits

    most days i witness stories of horror from those who survive it i avoid the media because i have limits so when you ask have i heard about such and such and my face resembles a blank page i hope you can realise there are limits to how much i can hear, see or touch in one day

  • te reo māori

    i’m grateful i was taught te reo māori as a kid and had my bum kicked figuratively if i got pronunciation wrong we take our shoes off so we don’t trek any tiko inside ngā whare metaphorically i cringe when people say ‘leave them on’ or utter words badly because that’s how they’ve ‘always’ said them i know the reactions when i do the…

  • pirate

    change greets me with filtered light and different shadows the only constant   i dreamt you whispered about lost loves and pirate-like your gold earring stroked my cheek   change light as gentle rain and seasonal birdsong the only constant

  • years ago

    i remember honeyed breath on my face limbs spread-eagled in bed and your first word ‘star’ laughter when the dog chased water from the hose and your tears when she died that was years ago and my life remains abundant with you in it    

  • as i feel more comfortable  with my own identity it makes space to meet yours   i walk at night alone with the essence of you beside me attuned to silence   as i feel more comfortable  

  • lean

    on the last day she leaned into me   i captured the impact a weightless fall of loosened limbs   and the blessed embrace of words that lay forever unspoken between us  

  • throat

    without sound tight throated last in the line of women no others   i mourn losses you them gaps created like deep chasms   i know a thing or two about sadness

  • in-between

    i have let go but you remain clinging life, death and the in-between   we stand around with words that escape us life, death and the in-between   a boat stuck in sand you wait for the tide life, death and the in-between          

  • autumnal hue

    seasonal interchange sunrise replaced with pink strokes across daybreak and leaves that spiral earthward camouflage jackets in autumnal hues while the land becomes quieter and I long for your voice to whisper my name but you are not here once again

  • rouse

    salted brine-stained lips linger on a closed mouth smile master of the ardent kiss with your heart painted shut   you rouse a tidal yearning to be stretched between us   bring me your desire beloved rest on my shoulder where all is quiet once the wind has dropped  …