you swing into the fono with those moses parting the sea vibes and i’m all oceans. let’s try this in reverse. sit next to me at the boardroom table. lean in, listen—go down to where the river runs dry, water the hibiscus, erupt as she ruptures into every rendition of the pre-dusk sky. smile quietly at your colleague’s proposal. king david sent a husband to the front line. for a garden such as mine.

(fono=hui)

Lisa Stanley is an emerging poet writing from Tāmaki Makaurau. Her poems have appeared in A fine line, Landfall, Moonflake Press. Her poem was selected by Chris Tse for the NZ Society’s poem of the month in October 2024.