– 234 –

Like Clouds of Smoke Ascending

Auahi-werohia ki Tararu raia kei raro te tane e aroha nei au
Me aha atu hoki he wa moana nui nana i arai kei Paritu ahau kei rangi tawhiti koe.
Rangi te koko e ai haere ana, ore ki te tangata he whakapahcho tonu ta te raumati hanga ka rohe au te waru.
Kauraka ra nge au e whaka wehiwehia roto nei he mahara he waka na te tangata koi eke ki runga ra he wera te hanga kino.
Waihekeheke ai te rere mai a te toto, na te aha i wero mai na te ao
Kereru manuka wai au.

[Translation]

Like clouds of smoke ascending from Tararu’s lovely vales
Even so, my thoughts O loved and dear one! go flying north to thee,
To thee from me in loneliness by many seas divided
From Paritu my wistful gaze goes far across the boundless sea
To distant lands where thou art now.
The tui birds with freedom unrestrained
Their loves and joys exchange
But we by custom’s stern and rigid law
Our feelings must repress.