Janette Hoppe #25 Waitangi Day Triptych

I

Waitangi Day 2004
and I am train bound for Sydney airport,
passing through sleepy suburbs
New South Wales is slowly rising.

Across the Tasman -
Waitangi Day celebrations begin

returning home
it has been
              t  o  o       l  o  n  g




II

departures

people of every origin
checking in luggage,
shopping duty free
and lining up for food

there's a myriad of foods on offer
yet McDonald's has the longest line



III

Auckland is alive

far from the sleepy suburbs I left behind
Waitangi Day celebrations have begun -
A conundrum:  to celebrate or not to celebrate?

I wonder what my ancestors would think.