Funerailles. (Translation And Original) .

Ils ont enleve la robe de lin du corps de la terre Decouvrant ces membres-la et ces cuisses foux et timides Pas de l'amour, mais afin de La voir comme une chose. L'arbre tordu A la face de la falaise c'est une vieille femme pleurant Aux funerailles de sa fille. Neanmoins De jour et nuit les vagues bougent Sur les dunes brisees, en caressant et faconnant de nouveau Ce qui survivra a l'asphalte, aux villes. 1969 -' Tangi'. James K. Baxter(1926-1972) . 'New Selected Poems. James K. Baxter', pp.247,248. Edited by Paul Millar. Tangi. They have taken the piupiu from the body of the land Baring those wild limbs and thighs Not in love, but in order To see her as a thing. The crooked tree On the cliff face is an old woman mourning At the tangi of her daughter. Nevertheless Day and night the waves move On the broken dunes, caressing and reshaping What will outlast the asphalt and the towns. 1969 - James K. Baxter. 'Tangi'-lit. 'to weep'. The Maori funeral rites, which may last several days, quite different from a European funeral. Piupiu-flax skirt.