VERNICE WINEERA

Of Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa descent, Vernice Wineera grew up in Takapūwāhia Pā, Porirua. She studied at BYU-Hawaii in La‘ie, Hawai‘i, and gained her MA and PhD in American studies from the University of Hawai‘i. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies and journals in New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawai‘i and the mainland United States. Her books include Mahanga: Pacific Poems (1978), Ka Po’e o Laie (1979) and Into the Luminous Tide: Pacific Poems (2009). She served as a vice president of the Polynesian Cultural Center (1980–92), and worked at BYU-Hawaii, first as editor of the university magazine (1978–80) and later as director of The Pacific Institute (1992–08). Now retired, she is working on a series of contemporary Pacific paintings exploring the landscapes of her heritage anchored in Te Moana Nui a Kiwa.

Boy in a Sleeping Bag

First he lays it flat along the ground,

making sure there are no rocks beneath.

Then, legs together, sliding carefully,

he inches between its quilted folds,

aware that any jut of knee

or elbow will disturb

the perfect symmetry

that is his private bed.

Once in,

he reaches sleepy fingers

to tug the awkward zip

up to his chin.

One last glance beneath the chairs

assures him that there are no bears

then, snug and warm in his bright cocoon,

my son camps out in the living room.