MP I

'Morepork' is my plaintive cry


Ruru is my name

I am the small native New Zealand owl


I have huge ears


large round yellow eyes


& my neck is so rubbery


I can swivel my head


nearly all the way around

night feeding is easy for me

Like my cousin the Aussie boobook


I love moths & beetles


baby rats & mice,


delicious little lizards


& birds smaller than myself

I swallow my food whole


& spit out the left overs later

The bright shell eyes of the carved figures


on the marae are my eyes

My call comes from the spirit world
I am the guardian spirit Hineruru,
My job is to protect, warn, & advise

If I enter your home silently
Or hang around the windows
Fear me for I bring death

If you hear me call in the distance
Smile for I bring good luck

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