Grey clouds fall into the river
Merely separated by the heat sinking cliffs
Toweing high, holding a fence line and a few old houses
Barely capable of holding on
Rocks top over and begin an avalanche
Tumbling down, ignoring roots and shrubs
Joining brother and sisters
drowned years before
Whirring
Always whirring
When the stars gaze upon the lustrous river
And the rapids shine back between the spotty clouds
The feeling of safety within these cliffs is known
All sheep and sandflies settle down and relax
Not a peep to be heard
The cliffs - taller than skyscrapers - reach their hands from their peaks to their basin
And protect their inhabitants
Those who hurt - the river
And those who help - the people
Together the land is formed
Rangitikei