At the River
another day at the river
dust thrown up
by cars driving on
to a better spot
dust thrown up
by cars driving on
to a better spot
heat waves dancing
on the scorching stones
they need the sun
after an ice cold spell
in the fast flowing water
laid out on their towels
tingling warmth
turning to burning
for a laugh
she flicks river water
onto his sizzling back
his reaction swift
only half expected
up and striding
toward her
he sweeps her off her feet
“put me down”
obediently he lets her fall
not into the river
but onto the stones
the hot, sharp stones
Raina Kingsley is of Ngai Tahu, Ngati Mamoe, Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane descent. This year she is a student at the Hagley Writers’ Institute. Her poems are published in Quakes and Community, Leaving the Red Zone, Poetry NZ.