II
tightrope
Unity
(written and performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
Westminster Abbey, 2016)
Maluna a‘e o nā lāhui apau ke ola ke kanaka
‘Above all nations is humanity’ – Hawaiian proverb
Let’s talk about unity
here in London’s Westminster Abbey
did you know there’s a London in Kiritimati?
Republic of Kiribati, Pacific Sea.
We’re connected by currents of humanity
alliances, allegiances, histories
for the salt in the sea, like the salt in our blood
like the dust of our bones, our final return to mud
means though 53 flags fly for our countries
they’re stitched from the fabric of our unity
it’s called the Va in Samoan philosophy
what you do, affects me
what we do, affects the sea
land, wildlife – take the honeybee
nature’s model of unity
pollinating from flower to seed
bees thrive in hives keeping their queen
unity keeps them alive, keeps them buzzing
they’re key to our fruit and vege supplies
but parasitic attacks and pesticides
threaten the bee, then you, then me
it’s all connected – that’s unity.
There’s a ‘U’ and an ‘I’ in unity
costs the earth and yet it’s free.
My grandad’s from Tuvalu and to be specific
it’s plop bang in the middle of the South Pacific
the smallest of our 53 Commonwealth nations
the largest in terms of reading vast constellations
my ancestors were guided by sky and sea trails
and way before Columbus even hoisted his sails!
What we leave behind matters to those who go before
we face the future with our backs, sailing shore to shore
for we’re earning and saving for our common wealth
a common strong body, a common good health
for the salt in the sea, like the salt in our blood
like the dust of our bones, our final return to mud
means saving the ocean, saving the bee
means London in the UK seeing Ronton in the South Seas
and sharing our thoughts over a cuppa tea
for there’s a ‘U’ and an ‘I’ in unity
costs the earth and yet it’s free.
!
(a back-translation of ‘Unità’, translated into Italian by Francesca Benocci)
When I quit kneeling by the Western abacus
New Zealand became obedient in story
percolating the sale of air and crying
come sail the sanguine sea!
Come, laugh, pulverise delicatessens
of cheeses, mangoes and estranged lovers
just be sure never to fia sio in Samoa
its charismatic volcanoes
will see-saw swing to your talking ear
its mountains and fountains shape
domestic scenes leaping prosperously
into the verb village valley, vast and regal.
We’ll unite the mountains in winter, villagers said
keep the mountains in rotation
so they channel nostalgic
reservoirs of verdant fruit
may attention to pesticides and parasites
not prime us for the sun’s cold pit
they understand everything in the college
of eco-united – it costs magnificent gratitude.
My no one in Tuvalu
adds essence to mulato
fabrications lying
on atolls of pacification.
Pews in the church of Oceania
have maggots, termites. In letters of constellations
the mewling of cheaters combine aches and pens
they are molten prime numbers anchored
with passionate stares quell your lascivious
diet of colour and vengeance, the rest
a guardian to all universal schisms
vanquishing coast after coast.
Respond to me, nuzzle and come closer
for you commune with corpses of saints
who dance robust perfumed salsas
over the stage in comfort zones
that pulverise and ossify mangoes
and seagulls, these signify the salvation
of the ocean, the salvation
of domestic spaces.
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