"Tuatara", by Nola Borrell

Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington




Keep your distance
you�re new here
rough-edged and arrogant

One step closer
and you won�t see me
you won�t see me anywhere

Always lie low, I say
I�ve learnt a thing or two
over 200 million years

Take away your �ecologically
appropriate quarters�
this drainpipe will do

And quit drooling over me
I pounce on skinks and wetas
eat my own kind

If a female