Piano Lessons

Friday afternoons of my childhood 
are a vivid trinity;
black, white, and Sister Tarcisius.

On Hush Puppy cloud, 
her binary-hued habit 
floats, welcomes.

Barely two octaves tall, 
with arms flung wide
            beaming, 
she wraps me, wholly.

She greets in whisper,
guides through the convent hall.
All polished glory, perfect in its pureness,
but for me not a note out of key.

The door opens to a piano that blazes, 
even when inky clouds drip 
      their impiety.

Graceless digits redeemed
under the glow of her
divine light.

---

Cindy Kurukaanga (Ngāti Rangi, Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) discovered a love for creative writing later in life. She lives in Whangārei with her husband and a wonky-legged bobtail cat called Tūi. She was thrilled to receive a special mention in Given Words 2025 and has poems published with Broken Spine Arts. You can find her on Bluesky @kakapowhakatoi.bsky.social.