Remember the welcome at the airport
Preceded by a prolonged preparation
For an unusual guest to a devout family
(though not ostentatious)
Of Goa-Bombay, Kerala-Pune roots.
The walk from Swanson Station to
48 Mettam Drive counting the Ducks
In the pond along the way and registering
The route and routines for the days ahead
A month marked by Mark’s managing 21
Partying with purpose on home turf
And many memorable short trips
In and around the Downtown cityscape
Confirming West is Best in Auckland
Long trips from Waitanki and Piha to the North
Rotorua and Taupō Lake towns to the South
Hamilton and Waiku; Waiheke and Kariperia
More than all the beautiful scenes that dot
The Gallery for the month to outdo all else
The lingering taste of the family: the chats,
the food, the walks, the shop centre visits
The Church attendance at Christmas
Gift giving and family gatherings at table
Daily chores and making time and space
For each other to converse and convey
The family deserve an honest appreciation
Bianca and her closely guarded friends
Mark with his manly gang for Friends
Ryan and Marina with Expertise galore
A slow acceptance of a stranger at home:
An ‘uncle priest’ and quite out of the way
With a past linking parents’ Childhood
Coming to give a quiet observer’s assessment
Befriending you two – Marina and Ryan –
From courting days to nearly hitting
A quarter century of togetherness in NZL
Hosting me was sheer kindness from you
A rewarding time of learning new ways,
Of making a path straight – daringly
Being a Priest, a calling that brought me miles
To your shores and hallowed precincts
A homecoming to a home long prepared
May our paths cross again as they will
Without prejudice or pretensions, let be
May your family continue to grow
Investing in each other, the best
Let the dreams of your children
All of your choices be blessed. Thank You.