First Impressions Poem by Corrina Kavea

A familiar scene
concrete turned green
muddy slippery pathway
residue of winter floods
the boundary of flush lines
at the base of protruding earth
never damned by blocks of bricks
nor planks of hardwood
uninviting undesirable
shoes must be cleaned
by the wayside
manuhiri cringe at the sight
a request for a labour of love
denied
at the front where anyone can see
negligence of a household head
judgement passed daily
likened to the soul
awaiting their seal of perfection,
they forget the little one's.