Dearest Tufuga

By Samoa Observer 14 March 2017, 12:00AM

by Leitu Tufuga


A Judge

they say you were

A proud Ali’i of Asau

Carrying integrity on his back

Veins of wisdom

streams blood of knowledge

Shielding your aiga with humility

 

I can see you papa Tufuga

as you marched in the Mau movement

Fighting for her freedom 

Samoa Mo Samoa they cry

Your legs carry the strain,the weight

Ua fiu ia oe, a ea papa?

But your heart does not give in

 

Making history, preserved in books

Living in stories told to your 

children’s, children’s, children

 

Sailed to Aotearoa

no longer in Asau

instead in the suburban village of Magele

My name is Leitu

My toto is your toto.

 

Different world

different times

I live a western lifestyle

Straight & narrow streets

White fenced houses

Racy fingers tap the keyboard

Where no wild pigs freely scrape for food

No chooks wait outside the doorstep

 

Dearest Papa Tufuga

I too, carry integrity on my back

I have veins of wisdom

My blood streams the knowledge 

I too shield my aiga with humility

 

Until we meet my papa Tufuga

I shall be waiting for you 

on the steps of our fale tele

in Asau

 



By Samoa Observer 14 March 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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