HELEN LEHNDORF has published work in various literary journals, in poetry anthologies (most recently in Kaupapa (Eds. Hinemoana Baker and Maria McMillan) and in the forthcoming anthology on parenting, edited by Emma Neale, Swings and Roundabouts. She has also had short fiction produced on National Radio and feature writing published in The Dominion Post.


       Spell for Cold Weather

       Autumn sun is the most defiant-

       I want to layer myself in wool and fur,
       walk the grey streets with visible breath,
       watch the tree skeletons talking to the sky

       I will bury something, so that in spring
       I can dig it up again, this small back-yard
       is immense, the mocking sun toxic

       like an x-ray flash, I am exposed,
       bones revealed to be made of chalk
       and paper-clips, brittle and fake

       look here – the first fallen leaf –
       all I need is patience and a rain dance,
       blanket of leaves and pillow of dirt.


       Ten Answers

       Until golden.

       The way you tuck your hair under.

       To prevent falling in rivers.

       Once undertaken, 100% commitment is expected.

       Avoid pennyroyal and raspberry leaf.

       Once bleached and dried it will remain intact.

       Under the stairs.

       A blue line is positive.

       Press the star key.

       When ready, come gently back.


       Way Out

       Today,
       we give you a day off grinding,
       some small hand-made things, a brown cake.
       Not enough. You look over our heads at the horizon.
       Your birthday crept up,
       jumped out at you; said "Boo!"

       You are too young to be weary of birthdays,
       but the windows have bars. The city has
       clamped shut over you.

       You are a weather report: scattered at times, cloudy.
       Tomorrow,
       you will begin your escape with
       a teaspoon of rubble,
       a ride on the train.