My dear bride

Wedding music is being played in church
I fiddled with my tie and checked my shoes
I spent last night with friend at local bar
The photographer is here from towns news

I wait right at the front with my bestman
After dusting down to try to look smart
Organ music now welcomes the bride
My darling girl with whom I'll never part

I looked in her eyes and she looked in mine
Soon at reception all guests are dancing
While we sit together as man and wife
Jokers come up to give me a ribbing

I hold her hand and she holds mine as well
I want to kisss her lips another time
The are bright and dancing takes place
Our new lives together will be sublime

The weight of the day is taking its toll
Both our joints ache and we feel bruised inside
Let's leave this dusty place and corny jokes
I need to get to bed with my dear bride



Image found at www.pixabay.com

Sweet bride

Maureen sweet bride I loved you from the start
Eyes of green and the way you flicked your hair
Your engaging smile captured my poor heart
But when we touched was the start of our affair
Holding hands we ran from all worldly things
That warm feeling we had for each other
I wake each morning your love in me sings
For you all is pleasure and no bother
I look forward when married we shall be
And in your eyes that trust is apparent
I am so glad our lives we can foresee
Forgive me if I sound so jubilant
As today is our longed for wedding day
Maureen my sweet love holding your bouquet

Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/wedding-rings-hands-just-married-3689777/

Coming to the right decision

I should have known that with her eyes
She'd have blue buttons on her clothes
And a pretty turned up nose
And with that flick of her hair
She was the one that I chose

Was surprised her father looked stern
Glaring eye, with shirt and tie
Appraising me with his eye
With my knowledge of few years
Trying to squash his fears

I noticed not his twinkling eye
For then he grinned 'twas all a joke
In my ribs gave me a poke
Fun always his little tease
Girl to wed, he was pleased

Even winked at me in church
As her soft hand I took in mine
And joked in a wedding speech
All about the day I asked
My face a fearful mask

Then finding on our honeymoon
Her clothes in closet touching mine
My head in bed, on her breast
Sure we'd both made the right choice
Side by side, we rejoiced


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

Sweet lips

Will I ever see you again?
That would help to ease the pain
Your green eyes would look at me
Those sweet lips grin, a joy to see
My wait for you had not been in vain

What words would your sweet lips then say?
After so many years away
When you'd see this old man now
Whose eyes are dim with wrinkled brow
Fumbling, stumbling along through the day

Would we be as when we were young?
On the day when church bells rung
Shyly on that day we were wed
We first shared our marriage bed
Where with such joy to each other clung

Will I ever see you again?
That would help to ease the pain
Your green eyes would look at me
Those sweet lips grin, a joy to see
My wait for you had not been in vain

Image found at http://adworks.pk

How do you interpret love?

How do you interpret love?
The touch of a hand 
The look in their eyes
A kiss on her lips
These are the signs to go by

Then the sighs at the first kiss
How soft her cheek is
The perfume she wears
Joy when you see her
Meeting after a days work

Visiting her family
Talking with father
About work prospects
And fussed by mother
With girl's siblings looking on

Then arranging the wedding
Me choosing the best man
And she the bridesmaids
The dresses secret
But orange blossom mentioned

And the list went on and on
Church to be chosen
Tassels and tinsel
Guests at reception
All were ticked off a pin board

The big day finally came
My speech all ready
I was there early
Lines of guests came in
We were finally married

How do you interpret love?
A touch of a hand
The look in their eyes
A kiss on her lips
These are the signs to go by

Image found at www.au.pinterest.com

Boys night out

Cheers he said throwing the beer can
A stupid grin on his wan face
Giving vent to unknown anger
Not wanting to undo his past
And with no thought for tomorrow

The lads night had been ruined
As he couldn't handle his booze
The single line of youths walked on
Hoping the next bar would let them in
Perhaps cut them a bit of slack

They went in pairs but no luck there
But one of them got a carton
So we all went down to the beach
To sit by the sand and the surf
Larking with the pebbles and shells

It's Jim's wedding day tomorrow
Let's hope he remembers who to
Looking all trim for the next day
Strapping lad is Jim; she's beaut too
At least I've got the ring for them

Image found at www.boldsky.com

When I look into your eyes

When I look into your eyes
I see the girl I met at school
Sitting together laughing
Making fun of all the boys

When I look into your eyes
Remembering our sleepovers
Talking and laughing all night
Until Mum banged on the wall

When I look into your eyes
I see that girl rushing to me
To tell me of her first kiss
Then I told you of mine

When I look into your eyes
I see your tears of great regret
You liked the boy I did too
But we can't share him can we?

When I look into your eyes
So happy on your wedding day
With you kissing your husband
It is me crying, not you

Image found at www.aevitasweddings.com

The caretaker

The whole family was there
With flower girl
And page boy
Running around 
All waiting for the new bride

Nervous embarrassed groom 

In the front pew

Best man checking

If he has the ring

The priest waiting patiently

The limousine finally comes

Bridesmaids waiting

Groom gets a nudge

Guests twist around

As the bride walks up the aisle

The men stand there waiting

Priest is nodding

Best man checking

That the ring's still there

Now the bride lifts her veil

Congregation is singing

Promises made

Bride is smiling

Service is finished
Her white train now sweeps the floor

The couple pose for snaps

Plus the family

Even the priest

Is thrust in the shot

Unfettered parents look pleased

Caretaker looks through fence grill

Sighs a big sigh

At all the mess

He has to clean up

Before the Sunday service 

Image found at www.mattdavisphotography.blogspot.com

The two weddings (Nos.107)

Final chapters

Ahu and Hatiti decided that the siblings Houhia and Rauora should both be married to their partners in the one ceremony and feast for the whole village to celebrate the event. They were virtually twins having been born on the same day both with the same father Ahuahu but chosen completely different partners.   

Whilst Houhia had not yet made love to Tiemi the English scientist, Rauora and Hakeke would find every opportunity to disappear and laugh together on a deserted beach or in the forest on the pretext of fishing together or gathering fruit and other things for their families. This was quite normal for young people at that time. Everyone guessed what they were doing but in the end Hunapo, Moana’s husband suggested one day to Rauora that they should go fishing together.

They talked about the sea and the bait and the weather until Hunapo finally spoke out directly to Rauora.

“You are the chief’s son Rauora, it would be best if Hakeke is not fat with child when you get married.”

Rauora looked down at his feet. “Has she said anything to Moana?”

“She doesn’t need to. Even I can see you both look as though you have been married for years. We can see you are already husband and wife.”

“We could not wait Hunapo. There is no shame in it. We will have a joint wedding ceremony with Tiemi and Houhia in the village after they get married at the pakeha chapel by the priest at the Ngerengere settlement there.”

At this Hunapo looked at Rauora and raised his eyebrows questioningly. Rauora continued “This is because they need to have their marriage registered on a piece of paper by the pakeha officials.”

Hunapo nodded. “Moana still thinks that you should stop seeing Hakeke until the day of the wedding ceremony.”

Rauora thought for a while and nodded sadly. “She is part of me now Hunapo. I always want her to be laughing with me.”

Hunapo shook his head. “I looked after Moana for many weeks before I took her to be my wife after her first husband died. Let Hakeke yearn for you like we did with each other. Let her need you and you need her and then your marriage will be long and happy. Moana is a precious gift for me, so let Hakeke be without you for just a little while…” Hunapo paused and then added “And you will find she will be even more beautiful.”

Rauora nodded glumly unconvinced. 

In the morning before the traditional joint wedding ceremony, arrangements had been made for Tiemi and Houhia to be married at the little mission chapel where Houhia had to promise to love, honour and obey Tiemi. Ahu and Ahuahu attended the service with a few of the village people who were brave enough to enter the building. When the service was over the couple signed the register, Tiemi writing his full name and Houhia marking the space for her name with an H. They had both agreed that she would make this mark instead of a cross as Tiemi explained it was the first letter of her name in his language and Houhia thought it was like a symbol of them both coming together and holding hands. When she said that he knew once again that he had made the right choice and they would be happy together. Already he had cleared some of the land on the property belonging to Ahuahu on the road and a small shack had been built for their home. Tiemi promised Houhia it would be a proper house one day but Houhia thought that it was enormous already with four rooms and an indoor fireplace for cooking with smoke that came out of the chimney on the roof.

After the pakeha ceremony they then returned to Black Sands and the Traditional wedding ceremony and feast began for Ahuahu’s two youngest children. Most of the village were in attendance in accordance with the Maori custom and Tiemi was dressed up in Maori clothes.

Ikawhenua and his wife, Horowai’s grandparents were brought down to the main village from the Hot Springs. The old man sat by Ahuahu’s side and whispered to him. “Ahuahu, we have done as much as we can to protect our land, we must leave it to the young ones now to keep it safe.”

Their heads were almost touching as they remembered the past and spoke of their hopes for the future as the young people danced and the newly married couples looked at each other with longing.

Tiemi was somewhat overwhelmed as he had been dressed up in traditional Maori cloak and held the symbolic warriors weapons. “You look very fierce Tiemi,” Houhia said “will you protect me and the whole village as well?”

“Can I put them down now?” he asked and she laughed, nodding and beckoned Tangaroa to relieve Tiemi of them.

“If you are not doing anything later I will show you how to use them” Tangaroa said as Houhia burst out laughing and whispered “Good, Tiemi has nothing planned.” Tangaroa then slapped Tiemi on the back and said “No, I just remembered Horowai wants me home tonight. You will have to work how to use your weapon by yourself.” He then roared with laughter again and called out as he walked away “But we can go fishing tomorrow…early.”

Houhia looked into Tiemi’s eyes, “Men like to joke at the wedding when we leave our old lives behind.”

Meanwhile Rauora sat with Hakeke and held her hand. “You have not eaten anything, Hakeke. Do you not want some fruit?”

Hakeke looked into his eyes, “I feel a little sick” then smiled a weak shy smile “Rauora, I think you have given me all I need.” She paused swallowed and then went on, “I did not think there would be three of us quite so soon.”

Rauora beamed all over his face and with his fingers played with Hakeke’s counting them and running his index finger over her palm. Hunapo came up and rubbed noses with them both and said to them, “I will not moan at you any more. You can have your babies now.” With that they all laughed.

 

Afterword.

This is the last chapter of the Ahu saga. I would like to think that there were a few communities like Black Sands that kept their own identity but sadly most of the land was stolen or the owners were cheated out of it. The Maori were a conquered nation and it has taken many years for a small proportion of the land to be returned to the original inhabitant’s descendants. However their language, art and customs are still alive despite the lives lost and the tears that have been shed. This story and characters in it are fiction and I thank the Maori nation for providing the stimulus for this saga.

Although we leave Ahu and Ahuahu at this point the teller of traditional Maori stories, Mahuika the widow from Rocky Outcrop, who we have  met before will be starting a series of her tales soon as she tells the children in the villages about their past.

 

Moana's Wedding (No 55)

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.)

When Moana walked through the village now, there was no man that could say that she looked upon him. Even those that were closest to her; Ahuahu, Kamaka, even Paikea would not even be greeted by a smile when they saw her away from home, but only by a respectful nod of the head with her eyes discreetly lowered. She knew now that she would become Paikea’s wife though barely sixteen years old, and when she and Paikea were wed, she would be part of the family of the head man. All the work that Ahu and Hatiti had done to prepare her for this honour had been worth while. Other women in the village looked on her and wondered why she, a girl from another village, a daughter of a dead fisherman would be given such an honour.  She had of course a great understanding and wisdom beyond her years. Her playful childhood had been put aside and the head man could see that if his son were one day to be a leader he must have a wise and sensible woman to support him. Paikea’s father had for some time now seen how wise she was about village affairs and he knew that for the most part this had been developed by both Ahuahu and his wives. He knew too that that the gods were telling him that his own life was past its prime and that even if Paikea did not get appointed on the village council in the next year or so he would one day with Moana’s help

Of course within her home with Ahu’s family, Moana behaved as she had always done. She was part of the family and would laugh with Ahu and Hatiti and play with the children all the time learning what being a wife and mother would mean for her.

Paikea was quite frustrated, there was so little time he was allowed to be alone with Moana. Her young body was blooming and although they touched she knew she must let him go too far lest they disgrace their families. “Why cannot I eat the ripe fruit in front of me?” Paikea asked as he fondled her. She desperately wanted him too but she merely said “Would you have my mother see me with child when she comes to the wedding? Wait a little longer and let us see if the mountains shake on our wedding night.” She then traced her fingers over his chest and ran them down over his body whilst letting her oiled hair fall across him. He gasped with desire as he could feel her so close to him. She nibbled at his lips and cheeks and then laid her head on his chest and continued to run her hands over his body.

“Touch me again” he urged. But she shook her head flicking her oily hair across him.

“Do you not think that Ahu or Hatiti do not know you would have me if I let you? But I must be faithful both to them and your family who have said I must be regarded as a puhi, a maiden of rank and must be a virgin when I am married.” With that she sat up and rearranged her clothing. “Your father has decided on the day of the wedding. It is on the next full moon according to your mother, has he not told you?”

Paikea nodded sadly, that seemed so far ahead as he looked at his fingers and the number of days that meant seemed enormous. “The closer it gets the greater my need for you.”

Moana’s laughed as she said, “There is a chance you may not like me when you finally can possess me. What will you do then?”

Before he could answer, Ahu called out to them. “Paikea, we need to discuss the wedding plans with Moana’s mother. Come out here and let us tell you what is proposed.”

The young couple joined the others in the main room.

“Soon I will fetch Hauku and Moana’s brothers from their village. It is necessary for you to tell your father, Paikea, that that she will at the wedding. We are not Moana’s relations but we will be with her family, so there will many supporters for Moana at the feast. They will stay with us until you are married and move into your new home close to your father’s compound. When she is with us you must not come to our house. But stay with your family until you are wed.”

Paikea nodded sadly in reply. He loved being with Ahu and Ahuahu where he felt part of their family too; when he was married that would all change as Moana would be part of his family instead.

For everyone else the days passed quickly and Ahuahu made arrangements for Hauku to give two decorative carved wooden posts to Paikea’s family as a wedding gift that had been made in the village where the Kakas call. This had been done by a deal with Torangi, Hauku’s new husband. They were magnificent pieces that would stand either side of the chief’s dwelling and the carvings depicted the gods of the sea on one post and the gods of the land on the other. In addition there were many other gifts of wooden bowls and pieces of carved jade. All this had been secretly paid for by Ahuahu so Moana’s family would not seem to be poor.

On the day of the wedding feast, Ahu’s family all accompanied Hauku and her children to support her. Moana was dressed in a feather cloak and carried symbolic wooden carved weapons and her hair was dressed with feathers and she solemnly bowed her head as she was led in front of the meeting house. Paikea was also there standing waiting in front of the building. The holy man advised of her arrival, called out the ‘Te Karanga’, a summons for them to enter. As they did so a welcome song was sung by the women inside the meeting house. Moana glanced sideways and smiled at Paikea but he was so nervous he just nodded in reply. Once inside they knelt together in front of the priest who called out the vows they were to obey and uttered the blessing or “Te Manaakitanga”, he then nodded to them and they turned to each other and leaning forward to perform the “Hongi” or rubbing of noses to signify that they breathed the air, the same air given to man by the gods and would give life and support to each other and their children. The holy man then gave his blessing and with that Paikea’s father came up to them and gave Paikea the Korowai, a special cloak that had been made for the purpose for him to give to Moana, a signal of his love and that he would always protect her.

As he did this, Hauku retrieved the cloak that Moana had been wearing. Then as the main ceremony was now over a song of departure was sung and the wedding feast began. The head man looked across to Ahuahu and nodded his approval.

Then Ahu looked at Ahuahu and smiled at him as she remembered her own wedding day long ago when they had merely been told they were to marry. There had been no ceremony that day; she had just moved her possessions from her aunt’s house to the hut that Ahuahu lived in. As orphans they had been no importance.Who would have imagined that their lives would have turned out like this.