ROBERT SULLIVAN was born in 1967. He is of Ngā Puhi (Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hau), Kāi Tahu, and Galway Irish descent. He teaches creative writing in the English Department at the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa. He is Honolulu based. He has published five books of poetry with Auckland University Press, a graphic novel illustrated by Chris Slane, and a book of Maori myths and legends for children illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Random House NZ). He also co-edited with Albert Wendt and Reina Whaitiri an anthology of contemporay Polynesian poems in English, Whetu Moana (University of Hawai‘i Press, and Auckland University Press). This poem comes from his latest book, Voice Carried My Family.

Sullivan comments: ‘He mihi aroha ki a koutou katoa. Tēnā koutou katoa.
“Ahi Kā” refers to the practice of keeping the home fires warm. It is a cultural symbol of maintaining your presence on the land. The mountain pillars in the poem refer to the district of the Northland tribe Ngā Puhi which is likened to a sacred house or shelter. For those who might not know, a “pūkana” is a fierce facial contortion often seen in haka.

I wrote this poem overseas – it is my way of keeping my heart close to home.’

Poem: Ahi Kā — The House of Ngā Puhi