A new poem by 2022 Jessie Mackay Prize for Poetry winner Nicole Titihuia Hawkins.

Nan’s tangi

I remember / the other girls / rode horses / did ballet / sports too / just Netball / for me / Nan wanted us to join a marching group / Nan wanted us to learn how to dance with a partner / rock’n’roll / pulled out / one hot pink / circle skirt / between four / fight / to fit / in / to it. 

I turned 13 / I got my ear cartilage pierced / sterling silver elephant / she said / it was quite sweet / asked me / you’re not going to get your nose pierced are you?

I remember the whare / packed / toasty / even in August / my cousin played out in the dark / dug shallow graves in the sandpit / practiced whaikōrero / our parents spoke in whispers / my mattress / under the tangaroa heke / Nokia snake / green back light lullaby. 

I turned 14 / got my nose pierced / the technician / charged $10 / no-appointment necessary hairdressers / got the gun stuck twice / the hole would never heal / a giant open pore / a gaping taunt. 

The Friday Poem is edited by Chris Tse. Submissions are currently closed but will be open again soon.