Tuesday Poem - Sound Check by Hinemoana Baker

Sound Check

you sound just like that woman, what's her name

she sings that one about the train

check one two one two check check

ka tangi te tītī tieke one two

she sings that one about the train

can I get another tui over here

ka tangi te tītī tieke one two

my secret love's no secret any more

can I get another tui over here

at last my heart's an open door

my secret love's no secret any more

that sounds choice love what a voice

at last my heart's an open door

you got a voice on you alright

that sounds choice love what a voice

you know the crowd's gunna soak up the highs

you got a voice on you alright

had a bit of a band myself back in the day

you know the crowd's gunna soak up the highs

i'd up the tops if I was you ay

had a bit of a band myself back in the day

check one two one two check check

i'd up the tops if I was you ay

you sound just like that woman, what's her name

I found this choice pantoum by NZ writer Hinemoana Baker in an anthology of Contemporary Polynesian Poems In English - Mauri Ola – edited by Albert Wendt, Reina Whaitiri and Robert Sullivan. It's published by Auckland University Press. Hinemoana lives in Kāpiti but she has a strong Australian connection because in 2009 she was the Arts Queensland Poet in Residence.

http://www.hinemoana.co.nz/