Summer 2023 | Poetry
Alix Ashworth
(Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Two Poems
Whakapapa is the silvery
translucent line that
connects me to Papatūānuku
Piercing each of my Tīpuna
the line moves, wavers + splits
yet is always there
The Call
They surge forth
Those that came before me
The tangata who dwelt with the whenua.
They call to me.
Through every
Karanga,
Waiata,
Haka,
They call to me.
Through every set of brown eyes that look my way,
They call to me.
When I touch the body of Papatūānuku,
Walk in their footsteps,
Embrace their Mana,
They call to me.
But I have held them back.
I have been afraid.
Afraid that the colour of my skin,
Which is not the colour of theirs,
Would stop them… Stop them calling.
Afraid that this story
So close to my heart
Would go unacknowledged.
Afraid that the call was false.
They surge forth
They call me
And I accept
The challenge to korero
Ki ōku tangata
To say what I am afraid of
To say I am a part of something bigger than myself
To answer the call
Speak the words
I am Māori
(Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Alix Ashworth is a neurodivergent, indigenous, multimedia artist and mother of two who is currently moonlighting as a writer.
Part of their creative joy comes from using their hands to celebrate indigenous knowledge and conversations around decolonisation.
While their main arts practice is Uku - Māori ceramic sculpture and installation, they also create Whakakai - Adornment as well as fiber sculptures playing with the tension between hard and soft surfaces.
Alix recommends: Otherland - Tad Williams; Dalwurra - Colin Johnson; Reservation Dogs - TV series; and Drunken Master - Jackie Chan Movie.