Photography by Leah Phillips
I’m Leah Phillips, a self-taught astro photographer who developed a passion for photography in high school. Back then, it was all about film skills and darkroom techniques since digital cameras didn’t exist. Moving to Auckland from the rural South Island meant losing sight of the Milky Way, but discovering Hahei, with its dark skies and beautiful beach, reignited my love for photography. Now, I spend my post-COVID days in the Coromandel, chasing the Milky Way from Tapu to Te Pare Pā. I believe no photo is a bad photo, and Instagram (@girlinthewildnz) allows me to share the beauty of New Zealand with others.
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Projecting The Rain
Where is the shame?
Shining light in this game
Igniting the flames of ancient wisdom and love
On behalf of my ancestor’s name.
When you look into the frame
The frame of the vessel wearing your name
Your projections are mirrored and honey, you too are to blame.
Projecting the rain, why do you hold on to the pain?
Adapting to frequencies so inhumane.
Degrading yourself, as you struggle to maintain
The divinity in your soul
Humanly triggers ensure your disclaim
Haven’t gifted yourself the chance to explain …
No safety to explain, leading you to think that we are not the same
Holding that fear of being labelled insane
Inhibits you from roaming freely on this physical plane.
Waimā De Souza
I Went Somewhere
I went somewhere the other day
Stood there under the trees,
Dodging the raindrops
Looking around at the water flowing
Smelling the wet rot of the dirt
Looking around at the faces of Beauty, Not knowing what to do and when
Watching waiting for that most important moment in time when the spirit is called to the caller.
You walk body and mind
Walking slowly looking at the ground.
Nice wet smelling of the earth.
We walk on to where Beauty is in the surroundings of children.
Looking at faces of the warriors the princesses here to give love and beauty
Holding hands feeling pain.
Taking away the pain and hurt
Feeling, experiencing, sharing a daughter’s love
Humbleness Beauty
Sitting Looking crying thinking Remembering
WOW
What a realisation Beauty Handsomeness Just utter beauty
What is the real meaning of this tribe
Denise Allen
(Denise wrote this poem after visiting a marae when a member of the community was getting her moko kauae.)
