on routeburn
we meet two nice guys 
one before one after 
bridal veil falls

brian's been bonding with the universe
telling him to ditch construction
pick up a different brush 
represent mount hikurangi 
in water and acryllic
he heeds what quiet birds tell
don't ford the river 
rain can build 
to a point of no return

south island robin puffs up his breast of beige
hopping to greet us as the skies clear
like all his breed 
a curious and friendly tom
putting no distance
between us and song
we heed what his lyric signs
while rain lets
retrace our way in double time

imagine the disquiet
when this peace is rent
by guttural shouts
urgent like death rattles
rushing to help
only to find
they were made by
three giggling louts