Please,
she whispers
to the Universe.
Help her go to sleep
I take reusable bags to the supermarket
I Party vote Green
I give drunk girls taxi fare —
to the Hutt.
Please.
Papatūānuku,
voice like honeysuckle and bees
whispers in the baby’s ear
“Love,
listen to the rain on the roof
give in to the gentle rock of your Mama
close those beautiful eyes”.
The baby looks up
“27 minutes of rocking and I will do it”
Deal.
You got this Mama
Papa says
A drop of rain falls though the roof
lands on the woman’s cheek
its salty.
I got this
the woman says out loud.
Naomi Taylor
