Poem: Our Tree on the Hill

Tree on the summit of our city.

Tree looking on Tamaki's twin harbours.

Tree of the land of a hundred lovers.

Tree topping trees to the West.

Tree of another land.

Tree warmed by Logan Campbell's hand.

Tree of inheritance.

Tree of the talking mountain, Maungakiekie.

Tree of the people, our tree of life.

Tree of the spirit of Auckland.

Farewell. Farewell.

Go to the good place of our ancestors.

Go to the place of our best memories.

Go with your cuts for all to see.

Fall like a leaf in a shower. Softly.

Our tree.

The Herald commissioned this poem from Auckland University librarian Robert Sullivan.

Herald Online feature: Tree on the hill

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Should we replace the tree on One Tree Hill?

E-mail Bernard Orsman