Treasure of Hope
Aloft listening,
as ocean swells ride the full moon-tide.
Kāhu soars with lazy wing beats in stately flight,
watches foragers wander wrack-lines.
Necessity strains their mortal eyes
from maddening waves of storms long past
whose memories hold more than they can bear.
Foragers peer,
from storm-cast kelp tossed on salty sands
Kāhu sails by with up-swept wings and lazy beats,
foragers bent, submit to sand’s tempest,
rake up rotting seaweed, piles for the vege bed.
Life lived between wild seas and the buried dead,
they treasure each breath before inevitable death.
Kāhu’s eyes
meets foragers' withering on tidal shores
whose life breath bleeds earth’s strength:
Hope jettisoned from their ancient isles,
pillaged by tireless waves,
ancient shores subverted by ocean’s moods,
season's rhythm unravels, life undone.
Foragers watch,
Kahu moves in the pathos of An Gèadh Fiadhaich,
a sky dance evoked, the treasure of hope:
Kahu ascends till hidden by the sun,
folds wings, dives with eternal trust, high pitched whistles
praise the redeeming power of Solas Crìost,
the One whose mercy calms the fiercest waves.
From 'Edge of the Sea' © Craig A Roberts, 2025
Scots Gaelic Terms
An Gèadh Fiadhaich: The ’Wild Goose’ the poetic name of the Holy Spirit.
Ìosa Crìost: Jesus Christ
Solas Crìost: The Light of Christ.
Māori Terms
Kāhu: With its stately flight it was seen to embody chiefly characteristics by Māori. The male is known for its sky dance. Also known as Australasian Harrier / Harrier Hawk.
Photo: Shutterstock
