On this trip
we renewed and strengthened friendships 
some begun in Australia
met people who knew David as a child

celebrated my birthday at sunset beach celebration
said prayers,  and did zumba with local Baha'is
watched the youth fundraise through their dancing

met a man whose job is to take tourists  to swim with whales
heard love stories where the ocean and boats stilled
play a role 

learnt about ngatu and made a book to fill 
poems with
followed the footprint trails 
of the fishing pigs
heard the sabbath church bells 
and crowing roosters

and made new friends
like a girl who likes to count stars
and women who give you flowers 
to put behind your hair

found the threads of people with 
ties to Launceston and Brisbane
Australia and Canada
the diasporas of connection

I learnt to snorkel
and was filled with delight.