Shellycoat

Shellycoat emigrates

He wanted a new life, new lives,
a warmer climate to ease the lift
of his chest. He wanted to refine
his tattooing technique, test
his art on different flesh.
He was tired of Presbyterians.
He wanted untamed rivers.

His first attempt at settlement
foundered, through a disobliging
taniwha. Wheesht, plenty of room
for all. He drifted to a stretch of coast
beside a river mouth whose teeth
chattered companionably.

The voices of the dead whispered
from his coat. He bent his head
and listened, nodding
...