Phantom

Sitting at the bus stop
I saw Whera
Old Makuta's dainty grandchild
Going home,
A basket on her thin arm
Some bundles
Tied up with coloured string:
Presents for Xmas.

Her mini-skirt dress so bright
Her skin light.
The shoes upon her pretty feet
so neat.
Could he have seen,
Old Makuta
Would not have believed
His eyes.

Marie Andersen

Mrs Anderson, now of Auckland, acquired a love and interest for the Maori people, through her husband's father, who was brought up from childhood by Maoris at Otaki after losing both his parents during the 1860 Waikato wars.