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KAIKOURA

by LONGJON 

Posted: 30 June 2003
Word Count: 169
Summary: a beautiful small town on the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The Seaward Kaikouras are a range of mountains behind the town whose feet sit almost in the sea.


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The sun slides slowly skywards through the grey barred winter dawn
And the Seaward Kaikouras light up as if new born.
Blues and pinks, golds and greys scatter through the sky,
In the bay the dusky dolphin silently slips by.

The townsfolk in their houses tight closed throughout the night,
Now slowly start to waken to take up the age old fight.
There's no headstart for towns like this, just one unending race,
So Kaikoura town clings tightly to its people and its place.

For it's a long and narrow foothold, scratched at the mountains feet,
Where the measure of their lives is the seas incessant beat.
Built on oil and baleen, scrimshaw teeth and bones and such
A ceaseless daily slaughter that soon became too much.

But still the days dawn brightly, flashing gold and green and blue,
The penguins, whales and dolphins give each day a special hue.
And the Seaward Kaikouras still stand and watch the waves
As their forefathers before them throughout the passing days.






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Comments by other Members



olebut at 09:41 on 01 July 2003  Report this post
John

I was for a few short minutes standing on the beach watching the town awaken to the sunrise with the perfumes of the sea and town wafting over me

thank you for the image


David

LONGJON at 12:03 on 01 July 2003  Report this post
David,

You are, as ever, generous in comment. I wish I could upload a photo for the members, it would add something to the words. Kaikoura's a tiny place but unique, miles from anywhere on a rugged coastline, the mountains almost push the town into the sea.

Take care, as ever,

John P.

olebut at 12:22 on 01 July 2003  Report this post
John

the idea of a picture is great but had you done so perhaps I would then not have formed the picture in my mind which I think accords with your words. I presume that at a later date when many have read and commented you could add a link to a photo or group of photos of the area

take care olebut


David

LONGJON at 21:48 on 01 July 2003  Report this post
G'day Olebut,

Absolutely right, it is the mind picture that you are after creating. I have to confess, though, to not having a clue how to add a link.

Take care,

John


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