when i think of puhoi, i think of you.

a grassy hill, hundreds of white crosses

the only path is through, back to your place.

a lover’s padlock on a chain link fence.

i’m counting syllables on my fingers,

my mother and i speak in haiku now.

one of these days i’ll book a hotel room

stretch out on the white bed-linen and i’ll

be wearing a big fluffy white bathrobe

like i’m a movie star. or a hooker.

and don’t forget your sunblock when you go—

i miss when you were sweet and small and safe.

here i pen a love poem, addressed to

you, and you, and you, and you, you, you, you.

Lily Wright (she/her) is a poet and actor based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She spends her days thinking about horrible things and selling cushions to very rich women. Her work has been featured in bad apple and Tarot. You can find her on instagram @lilyedithw