A new poem by artist and poet Jessica Hinerangi.

Hine Moana cuts her bangs at 3am

She’s ok she just needs to do this
after the humans have been too harmful
taken too many pipi and left garbage on her
brow she just goes through it needs a change

It’ll grow back it always does

We find her clippings washed up on a
new moon and wind them around our arms
and legs singing rimurapa rimurapa rimurapa

You look good whaea don’t weep whaea
it’s ok whaea IT’S FRENCH WHAEA

Take the scissors from the bathroom drawer
and trim slowly across the horizon

Send a snap to our friends grinning with a
few too many teeth so they reply
R u ok?

We’re not great but we’re making it work
We’re laughing again by the next full moon

The Friday Poem is edited by Chris Tse. Submissions are currently closed.