Far-Fetched Writers are a group of students who love writing. We gather each Tuesday to discuss and share work.

Lately, we have been looking at different forms of poetry and having some fun exploring them. The below poems come from two of our writers. These poems are called ‘I am From’ and look at where we each come from.

I am of - by Ash Byrne

I am of reddened trees and exotic seas,

I am of ferns of silver,

Of bumbling bees,

Of ‘Kia Ora’s’ and ‘Haere rā’s,

Of flax woven baskets,

Four foot ten madness,

A child of Aotearoa,

I am of barefooted,

Bare minded childhood,

Of ice creams that drip out the corners of lips,

Of jandals and togs,

Of salt scented sands,

Of more light than night,

A child of Aotearoa,

I am of solidified stories,

Of water’s tales of Taniwha,

Of land’s tales of Papatūānuku,

Of the open roads winding from South seas,

Solidified memorials of tales untold,

A child of Aotearoa,

I am of two,

Two versions of Maori,

Two versions of Europe,

Two versions of a child left open,

A child left given,

A child left spoken,

A child of Aotearoa.

I Am From

Poem by Aiza Mustasam

I am from majestic and ancient buildings

With sky reaching domes

I am from villages, historical sites,

Pockets filled with snacks from the dairy

I am from knives, canes, guns

And money to influence them all

I am from night markets

The candles and lights guiding everyone

I am from chutts

Sipping kashmiri chai with aunties and uncles and cousins

I am from amusement parks

Craving the thrill of fear

I am from libraries, book shops, book sales

Fingers delicately touching the spines

I am from flower fields

Roses and jasmines and dandelions

I am from the moon

And stars

I am from art filled museums

Striking and remarkable statues

I am from music filled car trips

Hands out the windows, wind blowing everywhere

I am from spice filled foods

And autumn evenings with gol gappay

I am from mehndi, heavy jewelry, eye catching bracelets, colorful earrings

And dazzling lenghas

I am from Pakistan

My beloved home