L'aura del Campo

Once a gardener. Malietoa Tanumafili II (1913-2007)

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Once a gardener

Potatoes, peas,
the garden tilled and ready.
But where is the gardener,
the ancient gardener,
who oversees this bounty?

Gone to sow celestial seeds
among the nascent stars;
gone to sail the moonbeams
where the moonflowers
bloom afar.

There he'll plant
potatoes, peas,
and oversee the bounty,
this ancient gardener,
our humble gardener,
who loved his people plenty.

© Kåre Enga 07-05-16

This came to mind after reading of the passing of His Royal Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II (1913-2007) of Samoa at the age of 94 on May 11. He will be missed among Samoans worldwide as he became malietoa in 1939 and reigned as sole head of state since 1962. He was highly regarded in New Zealand which has a unique friendship treaty with Samoa.

Among the Baha'is he will be remembered as the second head of state to accept Baha'u'llah and become a Baha'i. (Queen Marie of Romania was the first). He dedicated the Baha'i House of Worship that sits atop a hill in Tapiapata.

He was known as a very amiable and approachable leader.

[Poet's note: I doubt that potatoes and peas would be applicable to Samoa, but as a poet that's what I had to work with. It can always be edited or another poem written ]

My life

Still reading the Victorian mystery, Death at Glamis Castle, listening to Gregorian chants, eating an egg salad sandwich and resting far too much. My body has it in for me, I swear. I'm getting very little done.

IMAGES

Someone singing "Proud Mary"; car bass booming outside my window hurting my ears; slap,slap of tires; dappled shade and sunlight on the blinds; nauseating incense, peony in a glass; muffled sounds of conversation; white walls; rev of a motorbike; bird chatter. [We are definitely not in Samoa, Toto]

Said hello to tewarigita: FionaMMS , back in Texas; Jeanette ; Seisa-sleepingcatbooks.com ; MD Maurice ; BrainCrumbs

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