the same rain twice

and though the rain falls sweetly down

upon the ground

to wet the rocks upon the grass

upon the ground

and though the sea drags hollow shells

onto the shore

with sand and salt and crabs

onto the shore

and though the flax grows high and green

in the field

between the trees amid the flowers

in the field

I have never seen the same rain twice

nor stood upon a familiar shore

nor walked among the flowers

unchanged

Winning poem, Kohukohu Library Poetry Prize 2024