Salt Beneath the Skin: A Haibun

Looking down on Papamoa Beach, kids in coloured towels run from ocean to shower, then into the arms of mum. Surf lifesaving flags flicker - bright yellow and red - stark against the backdrop. Waves thunder onto the foreshore creating white caps that match the cumulus cloud. Wind grabs at my coat, my hair, makes my nose run, and still I catch birdsong from all directions, every tree, pines to pohutukawa. Traffic noise, a constant at my back, the car fumes don't reach my nose, for this I am grateful. Wooden bench, of adequate comfort, scattered with graffiti. The plaque reads: “In loving memory of Murray Dingle 28.7.1954 - 7.12.2001 'Salt beneath the skin'". Scratched to the right of this: 'Salt beneath the foreskin', my laughter taken away by the gusts, my smile firmly fixed. Hands now heavy, cold has set in as the sun retreats, I reacquaint them with the deep lined pockets of my jacket.

suspended from

an evening cloud

Mauao

Copyright © Kirsten Cliff
First published on the Tauranga City Libraries 'Memories a Plenty' Website here

Mauao is the Māori name for the mountain you see here. More commonly
called "The Mt" - short for Mount Maunganui - it is a New Zealand icon in
the Bay of Plenty region near where I live. Photo taken by Kirsten Cliff.