Christchurch ’11 1
I’ve ditchedleft her brokenarteries slit
guilt smearmarks meno will to grab a shovel
exiting dust drenchedwe travel southsurprised to seelife againin the turn of the land
Portobello greensoothesbirds chortle
unaware of thenorthern carnage
the blink-lessnightly vigil thatstays the ceiling
Christchurch ’11 2
Didn’t think I was attachedto the bricks and mortarour colonial beginnings
the twenty six churchesmy old schoolGaudeamus Igiturecho
familiar childhood landmarkscomfort in red brick nowsplintered
I lie in bed eyes sealedwilling a return to the day before