Dance of the Matai

Dad wrote the Dance of the Matai in 1957 after witnessing two venerable and grand old gentlemen, heads of their people in their respective ways, bare foot and wearing their lavalavas, meeting when out one day, and the courtesy they extended to each other in the Samoan way. He sent it to John, who considered it his favourite poem. I must say I love it also.

DANCE OF THE MATAI
The dignified Matai, with his solemn stately tread,
Walks in lonely wisdom, and his head
Remains unturned
To the chattering children passing by.
A group of laughing girls is divided, and it flows,
Rippling in the sun warm breeze that blows
Sea fresh and clean;
And the girls are silent as they meet his eye.
Dark blue lavalava, silver hair,
Big brown body, and brown feet bare,
Pride in his bearing, pride in his face,
Proud of his lineage and proud of his race,
The Matai goes by.

He meets another gentleman in similar array,
Wise and proud and stately, on his way
To visit friends;
And as men of equal rank and equal birth,
They pause to greet each other, their voices deep and low,
Gentle as their handshake, soft and slow
And full of grace;
Then something stated moves them both to mirth.
High pitched yodelling, falsetto high;
High pitched giggle and hard slapped thigh;
Dignity surrenders, as dignity must'
When big brown children dance in the dust,
'O le siva A Matai

(John Patrick O'Grady 1957)

It is a truly remarkable and descriptive poem, that one could almost visually feel and see these two powerful men greeting one another and sharing a joke. Dad was certainly a very gifted man.