Screams for food

That's the trouble with children

Whining all the time for food

Parents oft have feel of regret

When they decide to have a brood

Dads have so little care to give

Merely looking askance at his wife

As she feeds little one all day

See opposition to him in his life

Bedtime comes, now it all turns worse

No cuddles for him...baby's first

When bub's finally in his cot

Wife say for him she has no thirst

At last he whispers in her ear

when from baby there is no sound

But wife has drifted off to sleep

Sense of silence does abound

Baby though lasts but an hour or so

Faintest murmur now alerts wife

Dad wakes to find he's all alone

Must be quiet or he's in strife

Image forund at www.pixabay.com

Wife is sleeping

I don't know if you have heard
You can't call me an early bird
Dawn really is no friend of mine
Especially after a night of drinking wine

In my teens was quite a rake
At 1.00am was still awake
Staggering home full as a coot
I was surprised my Ma didn't give me the boot

This all changed when I met Sue
Most stunning girl I ever knew
Loved the way she flicked her hair
So losing her would be far more that I could bear

And so it was we got wed
Must confess she was good in bed
Not long before babe came along
We were all so pleased that I could have sung a song

However there's just one thing
All was quiet wife is sleeping
Found those earlier days a boon
As little bub's crying would wake me far too soon

Image found at www.pixabay.com

So off we go

There was a lick of light through the curtain
As the crack of dawn made her appearance
Bird in tree's branches waves hello to me
Keeping time with her family of three

I like my garden and I love my wife
They're the two best things that are in my life
That's until our new baby brings us joy
Times imminent already got one toy

I won't be happy till baby's here
Must be calm but inner feelings do fear
I prefer the rhythm of garden tree
Soon I'll hold her hand and new baby see

I turn to see my wife's sleeping face
Her clothes are all packed in one single case 
Then she whispers "Time"  just one single word
So off we go, cheeped on by just one bird

Image found at Pixabay.com

Job for you up north

"Job for you up north" Boss said, "Give you time to wind up here, find accommodation, expenses paid. Salary will be lifted two grades while you're there but we don't pay overtime. Talk it over with your wife, let me now tomorrow, Okay?"

Wife had already told me she was pregnant but I knew her answer "Yes, do it!" But could she cope with two kids already and me miles away? She said she could see the advantages and she had her sister living close who would help.

So I said "Yes". With a hirecar provided I worked 150 miles from home coming back most weekends reporting to the office. I chose a hotel, expenses paid to make it easy.

Up each morning to check the contractors on building sites, pouring concrete and constructing various structures in town as well as viisting other sites within a 100 mile radius.I spent time in the hotel each evening with locals and visitors like myself chatting at mealtimes or propping up the bar. Each morning before work I'd go for a run to keep fit.

One morning after my run the hotel owner's wife met me as I came back before work. "I'm glad you're back" she said "Your wife's gone to hospital to have the baby!"

I gulped with surprise, baby was coming far earlier than expected. I thanked her and rang my sister in law to check. "Everything is OK" she said, "Baby's being born now!"

I drove carefully back home letting others overtake me and arrived to see my wife and new baby girl in hospital. Both were well and were cleared to come home a few days later.

Image found at https://www.rms.gov.au/geared/your_driving_skills/driving_skills/driving_safely_at_dusk.html

I make a mistake

This poem is being awoken that causes a fright
This poem is hearing crying on a starlit night
This poem is a nudge in the back by my wife
This poem's about my turn to tend to the love of my life

So up and off to our sweet daughter's pink crib I go
So pick her up, tears vanish as a kiss I bestow
So a sweet smile comes on her now beaming face
So I smile too as she now looks around the whole place

We go off to the kitchen to warm some milk for her
We see a bottle of beer in there but I must demur
We warm up the milk in saucepan but make a mess
We put it in a bottle she drinks I give her a caress

I make a mistake by taking her in our room
I see at once that her face is now all abloom
I see that my dear wife is shaking her sweet head
I know now that I have to find another bed 

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/252201647869405238/

Staring at stars

We sat on the stumps beneath willow trees
Staring at stars in the darkening skies
Silver specks were winking down at us two
We kissed, we made love and I heard your sighs

A few years has passed since you went away
I lost you, no more did I hear your voice
Even your brother not allowed to say
Then one sunny day how I did rejoice

You returned to your old family home
Did not seek me out or give me a ring
It was as though I were a burdock plant
That I was just a prickly worthless thing

That lost feeling of unrest saddened me
Until I saw you in the street one morn
Now taking a girl to nursery care
I walked with you and found when she was born

"Yes she's yours" she said "But I never told"
"My dad was so cross he'd have murdered you
I refused to tell him whose child it was"
I smiled "You know now what we have to do"

Image found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_transport

Tears on your letter

I read the tears on your letter
Your words they told me less
The winds of winter blow
But you will grow so strong
By the time that spring comes along

My husband also looked aside
When our child came along
A friend was there for me
Catching all my sad tears
Now dear I want to quell your fears

You are different now in his eyes
Since baby came along
Cuddle him like before
Childish doubts will soon wane
To sing a song of love again

Image found at http://www.parent24.com

Stillness of the night

In the stillness of the night
A bellow of indignation
Rent the calmness of our sleep
It was our beloved boychild
I switched on the bedside light

My wife grunted beside me
Snuggled right down feigning sleep
I rose to warm a bottle
For his midnight drop of milk
To assuage his hunger plea

Crying stopped when he saw me
Sly smile came upon his face
Picked him up and sat with him
While he gorged his midnight feast
Declined none, burped contentedly

My strong arms rocked him off to sleep
Then placed our little blossom
In the crib his dreams to weave
I stayed for just a little while
For he uttered not one peep

Closet tidy; where's my mate?
So crawled back into our bed
My wife's embrace wrapped me up
She'll not deny me anything
I am happy with my fate

Image found at https://www.istockphoto.com

Big News

Many prayers were said 
For one like her when younger
Dreams flying skyward

Mornings were best
My fingers tracked over her
To praise her beauty

Loveliness unflawed
He skin was like porcelain
An ancestral gift

That is what she said
Smiling eyes twinkling at me
I desired her so

I loved her singing
Now cooking in the kitchen 
A skillet in hand

Parents to dinner
Put bread rolls out for our guests
Baby's birth big news

Image found at www.servicesutra.com

Baby

She was the baby
The last of our children
How we all loved her

When she woke crying 
I kissed away her sad tears
Still she wanted Mum

She was the last one
Very soon she was the boss
Coming to our bed

For her midnight snack
So I then slept in the lounge
I was well behaved

No tantrums from her
Often she'd sleep on my lap
Put to bed later

She's all grown up now
Those tender years have now passed
I'd have them over

Image found at www.happybabysleep.com.au

So glad it's saturday

It was blowing a gale

Twigs slapping on the glass

Wife was now sound asleep

Breathing steadily now

Who says dads sleep right through?

Baby daughter whimpers

Please don’t cry I whisper

But she is unsettled

Tiny hand reaches through crib

With its wooden pink rails

Is she needing a feed?

Quietly I get up

Rocking her gently in hope

But now she wants to play

Coos and murmurs at me

Carefully I lift her

Take her to the lounge room

It’s halfway through the night

She’s happy to play now

Gurgling her own sweet words

Crisp cold of next day’s dawn

Wife finds me nursing babe

Now sleeping in my arms

Pressure seams in my flesh

Dark bags beneath my eyes

“Been up long?“ She inquires

Smiling happily now

“I’ll get a cup of tea”

She looks so beautiful

So glad it’s Saturday

Image found at www.huffingtonpost.com

Abigail

He heard her call out
"The family are coming"
He was gardening

No that was not true
He uttered a blasphemy
Sitting in the shed

His short quiet time
Reading Sunday newspaper 
Would now be ruined

Whole plague of monkeys 
Would invade and take over
Keeping him awake

No siesta now
Two children running around
And one in her pram

She was born last year
Sweet favorite of his wife
Her name Abigail

He cleared the deck first
Old ones would want water
Put sprinkler on lawn

They arrived on time
He was given a new job
As baby was crying

He took her for a walk 
By the rustling Aspen trees
Not that far away

She looked up at him 
As he smiled and talked to her
Slowly fell asleep

He still chatted on 
Of how beautiful she was 
Shed a loving tear

He made his way home
Drying his eyes as he came
For his cup of tea

Image found at www.mirror.co.uk

Everything's just right

                                                    Sleeping baby

Hush my sleepy baby

Don’t stay awake

Daddy’s in the garden

And I must bake a cake

Close your little eyes

We both love you

Dream of a little sister

Who’ll stick to you like glue

What a joy you are

Precious little mite

You've made our lives complete

Everything’s just right

Image found at http://www.lacasacenter.org/ 

Baby's due in Spring

I’m in love again

Her father is vehement

She is not for me

Sue connives with me

She’s a master of intrigue

“I’ll say I’m pregnant”

I gulped with worry

As this ploy could get me killed

But father agreed

“Good!” laughed my sweet Sue

“Now we have some work to do

Baby’s due in spring”

I have a rival

I have a rival

Who sang his warning early

So she left my bed

The blunt truth did hurt

What response did I have now?

I’m a broken man

Daily grind at my job

Plenty takes my mind off her

Will she forget too?

I’ll see her once more

For it’s only natural

To woo her again

I took her roses

“What if we have a quartet?"

She says smilingly

Tangaroa, Horowai and their first child (No. 93)

Ahu and Ahuahu’s eldest son Tangaroa had married Hatiti’s first child Horowai. She was the daughter of Hatiti’s first husband Kaihautu but he had died in an accident at the Hot Springs when Horowai was but a year old. Hatiti then widowed was allowed by Ahu to stay with her to help feed Hekehoru and then to become Ahuahu’s second wife. Ahu thought that she was ill and there would be no one to look after her children if she died. She knew Hatiti had always loved Ahuahu after he had saved her life after the tidal wave when she had been swept out to sea and was thought to be drowned. She had been rescued by Ahuahu; he had found her washed up in the trees some way from the village a day or two later. Hatiti had loved him from that day on.

Horowai and Tangaroa now lived at the Hot Springs in a whare provided by Kaihutu’s father who was overjoyed that his granddaughter should live close to them. His name was Ikaroa which meant the band of stars in the sky we call the Milky Way. He liked Tangaroa. Even though the young man had been brought up as a fisherman, he said he wanted Tangaroa to become the hereditary leader of their community after him to look after the Hot Springs and conduct the rituals and welcoming ceremonies there.

Tangaroa and Horowai had been brought up together and he had always been the one to look after her and protect her and she followed him everywhere and always thought they would eventually be married. Their first baby came quickly and it was not long before Horowai went down the women’s birthing site to deliver her child. Ikaroa was especially pleased when their first child, his great grandson was born. Ikaroa had become quite old and frail and could hardly walk or speak any more. The new born baby was placed carefully in his arms and Tangaroa said to him “Ikaroa, Horowai and I have come to ask if you approve that we call this child Kaihautu after Horowai’s father.

Ikaroa nodded, “But should he not be called Ahuahu after your father Tangaroa?”

Tangaroa shook his head, “Ahuahu has three sons and two daughters; there will be many boys for his name to be passed on to in the future. You had but one son, Kaihautu and he had but one child Horowai. Where will Horowai’s history go if we do not remember it now?” 

The old man looked down and shed a tear. “There must be a wind blowing the dust, I have something in my eyes. Do what you will Tangaroa. But yes, it does please me very much. Next time Horowai” he said glancing up at her and wiping his eyes, “Bring me a girl child for your grandmother.”

Tangaroa tried not to smile at the old man’s tears. He returned the baby to Horowai, grinned at her and in doing so rubbed noses too. She placed the baby at her breast and it immediately began to suck at her greedily. Everybody laughed when the old man said “Perhaps his name should have been Takapu, the gannet, for he really dives in for his food”.

 

For more Ahu stories click on Ahu in the labels bar

Hei Tiki (No. 62)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand. (Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)

Despite Ahuahu‘s fear and that of the village council, there was no threat to their village from other villages who may have been trading with pakeha and nothing was heard from the Big River settlement. The wide and deep estuary was clearly known to the pakeha which is why they had had made landfall there years before. The flat alluvial plains each side of the river were good for tilling and the information from Hinewai indicated that this would be a good place for them to establish a settlement.

Over the ensuing year their village had the occasional visitor from Rocky Outcrop and who was clearly instructed to find out more about Black Sands and if it could be defended. This pleased Ahuahu seeing that as a sign that the Rocky Outcrop chief had acknowledged the wisdom of Hinewai's advice regarding the musket.

Moana and Paikea had settled down in their married life together but no babies would come. She visited Ahu and Hatiti occasionally and would talk of many things but never mentioned that babies would not come. Eventually Hatiti could not resist asking about this.

“Is Paikea’s mother chiding you for not being with child Moana? My first husband Kaihutu’s mother would talk of nothing else from the day after our wedding,” she laughed.

Moana cast her eyes down as Hatiti started combing her hair. “No, she says nothing. If she says anything to Paikea he does not tell me.”

Ahu, who was still attending to the little ones, then spoke. “Do not hold in your worries Moana.” She looked around to see if any of the older children were close by. “Talk to us. It may help.”

“I do not know what to say. “ Moana’s eyes were full of tears, “We make love…often, but a baby will not come.” The two older women then attempted to soothe her.

“I was born first,” said Ahu, “but a second baby would not come so my father treated me as though I was boy as he was so disappointed I was not one. My mother was given a Hei tiki necklet to help her conceive again. But by then her love for him had died  so she did not wear it. It is the only thing I have left of hers. I have kept it but have never worn it.” She then smiled at them. “That is because babies come easily to me.”

“You have never shown me it, Ahu” said Hatiti.

“Neither of us needed it, did we?” laughed Ahu. “I will fetch it.”

“Do you think it will work, Hatiti?” said Moana as Hatiti continued to comb her hair.

 “Babies will come when they are wanted but you must imagine them all swimming together in a conch shell but only one of them is right for you. You must empty the conch shell and do not leave any behind. When you make love again do not let him rest until he is fully emptied and cries out, no more.” Hatiti smiled at Moana. ” But still do not let him go. But hold him tight all night. Then make him take you again when you wake...” Here Hatiti paused as Ahu returned to them, and continued, “but wear the tiki at all times too.” She said grinning.

Ahu returned and presented the Hei tiki to Moana. She looked at it delighted and exclaimed “It looks like a little baby!” Ahu nodded in agreement but then said to Moana. “Is Paikea happy?”

“Yes, he is happy with me but he feels that as he is a man now and should be given more responsibility.” She paused here and bowed her head. “His father talks to me a lot of village matters but does not seek Paikea’s advice. I speak freely and honestly, but when his father has gone Paikea will ask ‘Why did he not speak of that with me?’”

“Moana,” said Ahu, “We told you a long time ago that his father valued your opinion and thought that this would help Paikea to become wise too. Being the son of a head man does not mean he is automatically wise.”

“It may be necessary to tell the head man of this,” said Hatiti.

Ahu shook her head, “I agree that he should know but to talk directly with the head man about his son, your husband, is not wise. Paikea will see this as a betrayal.”

“Should she speak to Paikea’s mother?” asked Hatiti.

“Yes, she will like that,” nodded Ahu “This will not be a betrayal, but a talk in confidence between women. His mother will tell her husband the Head man in her own way and she will value your friendship and confidence when you speak this way to her.”

A few months later Moana told Ahu and Hatiti she was pregnant. As she had not seen one of Paikea’s married sisters it was arranged that they would both go to his sister’s village which was known as Agate Hills far south beyond Big River well before the baby was born.

The new babies are named (No 54)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand. In this episode Kamaka with his tongue in his cheek wants to take his first grandson, only a few days old, fishing! (Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)

 

Ahu and his wives invited Kamaka and Hoata to have a meal with them so they could make the names of the new babies known. Moana was allowed to invite Paikea too and she was very pleased that he was given permission to attend. Kamaka was very glad he now had a grandson which he had particularly asked this of Ahuahu when Hatiti became his second wife.

All the children were very excited that there was so many people gathered in their home and there was much laughter until finally Kamaka said “What will you call your new children, Ahuahu?”

Ahuahu smiled at Kamaka and replied “Ahu and Hatiti have asked that their names be the ones they have chosen.” Not revealing that for all the other babies Ahu had given birth to she had named them as well. “I have agreed to this as the names mean so much to all of us including you Kamaka.”

“Hatiti’s baby was born first and she asked that his name be Rauora because she was saved from the tidal wave and was restored to you as a daughter and able to bear you your grandchildren.” Then added modestly, “It is also to thank me too because I was there.”

All the children clapped and then Hoata said “And your daughter Ahu, what have you both called her?”

Ahu shyly looked up from cuddling her new baby and nodded to Ahuahu to speak.

Ahuahu then continued “Ahu has chosen a name to show that our new baby binds us all of us together. We have named her Houhia and she is to remind all the children that we all belong to one another.

Kamaka nodded then said “That is all very well but how soon can I take Rauora fishing with me?” And everyone laughed.

All this time Paikea and Moana were sitting together and secretly linking and unlinking their fingers thinking no one could see them. Ahu beckoned Tangaroa to her and told him to talk to Paikea as he did not have anyone to talk to except Moana. So he went to talk to the two young lovers and Moana glanced up to look at Ahu. Ahu merely nodded to indicate they should talk to other people. Tangaroa though started the conversation asking Paikea about his family.

“Paikea, do you have sisters?”

“They are much older and have married. They are not in the village any more now they are married. One has gone far away beyond the Big River and the other is inland beyond the smoking mountain.”

“So you have not seen them for some time?”

Paikea replied “I have not seen them since they were married but my mother has been to see them both. The oldest sister Pania is with child so my mother will want to visit her again when the baby is born.”

Having broken the ice with Paikea, Tangaroa then suggested that Paikea come fishing with his father.

“Tangaroa” Paikea whispered “I am trying to get Moana to live with me not the other way around.”

“You could live here” Tangaroa insisted “There is plenty of room in Hatiti’s house.”

At this Moana giggled and shook her head. “One day Paikea will have a house built just for him and me, but we can visit each other’s houses now whenever we want. Do not worry Tangaroa, I will always be part of this family and we will live in Black Sands.”

“In any case Tangaroa I should wait for Ahuahu to ask me to go fishing,” said Paikea, “but who would help my father then?” 

Rauora  - Saved

Houhia - Together

 

Ahu and Hatiti’s new babies (no 53)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand. (Missed an episode? Click on Ahu in the labels bar for previous posts.)

The first rains of winter had come and both Ahu and Hatiti were heavily pregnant and uncomfortable. Moana quite willingly did much of the work in their home and was very interested in talking to the two mothers on how they felt. She had been allowed to listen to the unborn babies’ heartbeats when she laid her head on their tummies and she squealed with delight when she felt the babies move under her hand. She also combed the two women’s hair for them.

“Have you chosen names for the babies” she asked.

“Until the baby is born I will not suggest a name“, said Ahu. “I do not want the little one think he is a girl if I choose a girls name or a boy if I choose a girls name, so for the moment I call it little fish, because it wriggles so much. Hatiti has given hers a different name.”

Hatiti smiled “I call mine little shrimp, because I can imagine it all curled up happy inside me and that is what I called Horowai when I carried her too. I sometimes think of this baby as a Koru too, like a fern unfolding as it grows to become a baby. Do you want lots of babies Moana or do you just want to belong to Paikea first?”

“I know babies will come but I cannot imagine being a mother for a long time. Is that wrong?”

“No, no” both the mothers said at once. “First when you are married” said Ahu, “You have to discover each other, to explore and praise and hold onto and not let go until you think you are both the same person. Babies will come when they want to.”

Hatiti nodded as she stretched her body to get more comfortable “It is so good to hold on to someone and to please them and for them to please you. But remember not everyone has this. And it does not come straight away. Babies are beautiful but first you must make sure your husband only looks at you, the more he looks on you the more babies will come along.” 

“How do you bear to share Ahuahu with each other? I do not ever want to share Paikea with anyone.”

Ahu smiled and answered “Nor did I but the time may come when your husband could start to look on other women and perhaps choose one you do not like. Hatiti knows I chose her because we were so much alike and I knew she wanted him so much after he saved her. Ahuahu is very happy with her.” Ahu giggled a little “and we are both very happy with him. He loves us especially now we are both giving him more children, He is very proud of us...”

Hatiti interrupted, “Moana, run to Hoata and the other women I must go for a walk, my baby is coming.”

“I will walk down to the trees with you Hatiti; I will bring a tapa cloth to cover us as it is still raining outside,” said Ahu.

Moana had by this time disappeared and the women walked slowly in the rain through the village. Hatiti’s baby was not long in coming and just as the midwives arrived she was pushing down and the baby’s head had appeared. She gave a few more pushes and a little boy appeared looking very cross that he had been evicted from his nest and bawled lustily over the sound of the rain.

No sooner had she and baby been cleaned up when Ahu now said “It looks as though our work has not finished for the day” and found a sheltered spot and draped the tapa cloth over her head and squatted down.

Hatiti turned and called out “But Ahu, I wanted to be with you.”

Biting her lip as the contractions strengthened. Ahu shook her head “Go home Hatiti I will be there soon. Ahuahu will be very pleased with your son.”

The other women crowded around Ahu as Moana helped Hatiti get back home.

The rain continued and when they reached their house Moana said to the children “Hatiti has had a little boy. Now Tangaroa, for the moment take the other children around to Kamaka and tell him what is happening so we can prepare for Ahu to come home too. We will fetch you when they are both back here then you can see the babies.”

Tangaroa grabbed hold of Horowai’s hand and called the others to take them out of the house. But first he looked at Hatiti and smiled at her as she was wrapping the baby up and she returned his smile and said, “I know you will always look after Horowai for me.”.

Within an hour or so Ahu was also back with her little bundle. Ahuahu had also returned and was speaking to Hatiti when Ahu came through the door with Hoata both soaking wet and said as soon as she arrived “Had it been a boy I was going to call him Iorangi.”

Hatiti laughed “With all the rain we have had to day that would have been good name. If mine had been a girl I was going to call her Hoku. Just as well as there will be no stars out tonight.”

“Ahuahu, go fetch the children now while Hoata helps us to prepare our babies.”

Then just as he was leaving she said “Ahuahu, husband we have given you six children to build your family, we thank you for all the love you have shown us.”

“The gods have blessed us again my beautiful wives, you have both made me very proud.” He went back to each of them and in turn and placed his hand on their cheeks and looked into their eyes but said no more before he left the house.” Hatiti bit her lip as she knew he should not have touched her as she was tapu so soon after childbirth, but Ahu saw her worried look and merely said “It is all right, he has done no wrong and Hoata is here.”

The two new mothers then noticed that Hoata was crying. She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and said “There is so much love in this home.

Iorangi   -   Rain

Hoku    -    Little star

Tapu     -   Taboo, forbidden

Young Love

We were wed early

and in our amateur love

kindled another

You diligent were

with the fruit of our love

supporting us all

and the spring of life

as we nurtured our baby

bound us together