Despite Meena’s temper and rhubarb politics 
there is hibiscus to yell its colour at passers by

Manihiki’s black pearls and Maungatea to climb.
Despite Tom Davis gone the Sheraton money 
gone there are rich fields of taro the reef roars 
assurance all day and Mike Tavioni sculpting.

Despite imports Takitumu’s bad luck and too 
many cars there’s Kauraka’s stories movies on
at the Empire and market day raw fish and rukau.

Despite talking to strangers about loans plane fares 
going up and sons not for the return home there is a 
song at the airport Trader Jacks and Emily’s t-shirts.