four rhyming tercets

the tall grass shades under the mānuka grove
river drifts by: blushed with carp
lads lying, sentimental, at heart

fertility pulses in the veins
men men till they’re not
a torn convoluted plot

whole tumble of misfortune
grass scratching against the thighs
the river gliding, her eyes

wheat-weary grass-cudding tune
sandwich-up on the mud-moss bank
feet pressing, none to thank

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Brett Cross has been a small press publisher (Titus Books and Atuanui Press) in Aotearoa New Zealand for close to twenty years. His first book of poetry, Islands, was released by Australian publisher Vagabond Press in October 2024.