Bird of a Single Flight

we met only once,

it was that morning

but i will never forget you,

your life is part of mine now

and i will always remember.

you wore a white blouse,

so very bright in the morning

sunlight,

whilst i was unshaven

and in my dressing gown.

you had become the kotuku,

that beautiful bird

of a single flight

whilst i was earth bound

and became your epitaph.

it was early,

and i had woken

from that same old

dream of africa

the machine guns,

the blood,

and the angry black faces.

i remember the way your hair,

billowed in the wind,

and as i watched you fall

i began to bless myself

in the old way

'In nomine Patri, et Filio'.

and pray that when your journey

ended,

God would hold your soul

forever,

in the palm of his hand.

©Mike Subritzky

September 2001

In Memory of all who died that day: 11 September 2001

Kotuku - A New Zealand native heron, which is pure white and very rare. Ancient Maori believed that if a Kotuku was ever sighted it heralded the death of a Great Chief. It is regarded as the magical 'Bird of a Single Flight'.