Walk a mile

Ruapehu

Abandoned ski fields, slopes peppered
with ash, a mottled bruise visible
from the Desert Road, a vivid handprint
slapped against her eastern face.
A pungent breath of smoke
escapes into the frigid wind.

Glacial tears tumble, leaving tracks
like dirty smudges of mascara.
A low, smouldering rumble heats
the chilly air, sending sullen bursts
of steam to torment fragile snowflakes.

Rage simmers, roiling through her veins.
Internal pressure builds, surges
as tremors shake her very foundations.
Fury spews from her throat,
sending sprays of red hot viciousness
to speckle the underbellies of the clouds above.

She hurls lava and rocks
arrowing down the incline, but
her temper is spent, her aim short.
Regret and exhaustion set in,
trembling slowly eases, and
for now, Ruapehu rests.


Free verse. Written 3 January 2016.

Author's note ▼

Mount Ruapehu (pronounced roo-ah-pay-hoo) is an active stratovolcano in New Zealand. Ruapehu is one of the world's most active volcanoes and the largest active volcano in New Zealand. It is the highest point in the North Island and includes three major peaks: Tahurangi (2,797 m), Te Heuheu (2,755 m) and Paretetaitonga (2,751 m). Ruapehu began erupting at least 250,000 years ago. In recorded history, major eruptions have been about 50 years apart, in 1895, 1945 and 1995–1996. Minor eruptions are frequent, with at least 60 since 1945. Between major eruptions, a warm acidic crater lake forms, fed by melting snow. Major eruptions may completely expel the lake water. Where a major eruption has deposited a tephra dam across the lake's outlet, the dam may collapse after the lake has refilled and risen above the level of its normal outlet, the outrush of water causing a large lahar. A lahar in 1953 killed 151 people after collapsing a rail bridge shortly before a train came through. A lahar warning system has since been installed.

A Maori legend says that Ruapehu, a beautiful maid, was married to Taranaki. One day, while her husband was away hunting, she was wooed and won by Tongariro. When Taranaki returned at the end of the day he surprised the guilty pair. A titanic battle ensued in which Taranaki was defeated. He retreated towards the west coast, carving out the course of the Wanganui River as he went. When he reached the coast he moved northwards to the western extremity of the North Island, where he rested. There his great weight made the shallow depression which afterwards filled with water and became Te Ngaere swamp. Taranaki now sits in silence looking towards his wife and his rival. In spite of her infidelity, Ruapehu still loves her husband and sighs occasionally as she remembers him, while the mist, which drifts eastward from his head, is the visible sign of Taranaki's love for her. For his part, Tongariro, who despairs of ever possessing her again, smokes and smoulders with anger.

The Desert Road is the name given to the stretch of State Highway One that runs through the Rangipo Desert, east of Mt Ruapehu. It is often closed in winter due to dangerous driving conditions.