Before We Came

                                               Jan Cole  September 2013

Before we Came

Before we came the forests covered all the land

Before we came the Kokako sang in the Totara tree

Before we came the Tuatara strolled the sand

Before we came the eagles flew, as big as you and me

Before we came, birds walked the bush without fear

Before we came, they laid their eggs in peace

Before we came, the rivers flowed clean and sparkling clear

Before we came, they tumbled over rocks and boulders without cease

Before we came, the lake-shore was live with bird life

Before we came, the water teamed with fish

Before we came, chemicals were not rife

Before we came, this land was what we might wish

Before we came, the bird-song was deafening

Before we came, the Huia worked the trees

Before we came, the land was all in balance

Before we came, the creatures did what they pleased

When we came, we ignored the land-speak

We ignored the frantic calling of the trees

We took for granted, the pureness of the water

And poisoned creatures of all sizes – even bees

Now we're here how can we address our failings

To care for land and bird and sea?

Grow back safe places for our wildlife

It's up to all – especially – you and me