The Old Woman's Message - Kumalau Tawali

Stick these words in your hair

and take them to Polin and Manuai

my sons:

the ripe fruit falls and returns

to the trunk - its mother.

But my sons, forgetful of me,

are like fruit borne by birds.

I see the sons of other women

returning. What is in their minds?

Let them keep the price of their labour

but their eyes are mine.

I have little breath left

to wait for them.

I am returning to childhood.

My stomach goes to my back,

my hands ore like broom sticks,

my legs can fit in the sand crab's hole .

I am dry like a carved image

only my head is God's.

Already I sway like a dry falling leaf

I see with my hands -

Oh tell Polin and Manuoi to hurry

and come to my death feast.

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Kumalau Tawali (born 1947) Papua New Guinea

Source: Modern Poetry from Papua New Guinea, Volume I, Edited by Nigel Krauth and Elton Brash, Papua Pocket Poets, 1972