Pōhutukawa

The person is dying, beginning their journey on the spiritual path
To the ancient pōhutukawa tree standing tall at the spiritual gateway
Descending there through the vine of the tree
Under the vine lies the long vine, the dry vine
The dry vine of the pōhutukawa does not reach the sea
It is the land of the spirits
That is the entrance to the underworld

I bow to the pōhutukawa
Shining brightly in the night
It is seen
It is lost
I mourn for you in the night
The sacred star
The sacred star of the Pleiades

Pōhutukawa, shine forth
Shining brightly in the night
A sign of love
A sign of death
I am blinded in the night
Guide the red feathers
Guide the red feathers to the celestial canoe

The great call is yours (yours)
The great burden is yours (yours)
The sacredness of the pōhutukawa
(Fly away, celestial canoe)