LOST II, NEW ZEALAND
I live at the base of snow capped mountains with penguins as neighbors.
Once a seal broke into the local swimming pool for an afternoon dip.
I covet coal and burn each one as a prayer for warmth in the winter.
Never have I felt so lonely.
Never have I been so challenged.
To thrive in New Zealand one must bend harmoniously with the elements of nature. Big city comforts don’t exist here, it’s a country lost in time; untouched and raw. It is a land that constantly reminds you of your insignificance, and that ultimately you are at the mercy of Mother Earth.
My life stands inconsequential and I am grateful.
So I go into the bush
To find my roots in the Pohutukawa
To find my history in the Tui
And along the way, return to myself.
Kia kaha.