Multimedia Presentation: Voice only

Please enjoy as you read and listen to this epic poem.

Author: Paterika HengreavesNarrator:Patricia Hendy (aka)Paterika HengreavesComposed in Arkles Bay, New Zealand/Summer 2004

(Tribute Poem to Sir Edmund Hillary)

Out of the Long White Cloud a star did rise

The great historic moment was unfurled

Everywhere people got a great surprise

It was the time of a war weary world.

Go back in time to the Empire age

Men vowed to sink each foreign ship and barge

When those seafaring guys plundered with rage

They made their royal Kingdoms very large.

The enemies laid waste with armoured trucks

The extreme dislike for Jews was profound

In the world everywhere was in a flux

Hitler’s atrocities in hell are found.

Britain did rise to world supremacy

In many areas it came with fame

Traders made heaps, the aristocracy

In time they paid the price the waiting game.

Such mortals with selfish goals in the plan

The thrills of exploration filled the head

Perhaps it was the point where it began

Those folks that satisfied themselves, we read.

Yes, each adventurer had a grand name

Under the sea and mountains in the sky

In search of bounteous booty to claim

Arrogance caused a few of them to die.

Many of them thought of their quid pro quo

Colossal quests in the mind these did swell

Driven all too well by Hunt, they did go

Venturous stories they never did tell.

By George! “Because it is there� one did say

Mallory said in nineteen twenty-four

Atlas, little did they know it did play!

Those words were echoed many times before.

The Industrial Revolution boomed

Yea, she remained the workshop of the world

Much civil unrest on her head resumed

In far flung colonies disorder swirled.

Britain rode high the waves but not for long

The bull in her china shop, stopped to view

Constant battle raged to correct the wrong

She bit off more than she could ever chew.

The jewels on the Crown have lost their sparks

The balance of power is shifting fast

Germany is scoring too many marks

Those Yankees are sure the trend would not last.

No solid rock not even Gibraltar

Britannia is in the twilight zone

Aristocrats still think it is bizarre

Humble folks now speak with a peerage tone.

War was in every place around the globe

England fought tooth and nail to keep her flag

Sweet Edward discarded his royal robe

Loved the game that bore a Hollywood tag!

George the Sixth had firm determination

He showed that he was no regal rookie

Took with him no form of trepidation

He held fast the flaky crumbling cookie.

He was not a graduate from Eton

Yea, he stammered and sometimes he would pause

His “hard knocks� record still stands unbeaten

This stylish King gained much worldwide applause.

In his new clothes George the Sixth spoke on air

His voice did flow from north, south, east and west

On topics his subjects wanted to hear

Those royal talks were the first and the best.

His speeches had a melodious drone

No one believed that it would be that way

Fragile though in health he sat on the Thrown

To George they listened ‘cause he was okay.

We shall teach subjects to think on their feet

With brawn and brain we shall again have sway

Reform or else we all ached from defeat

Diplomacy shall keep those foes at bay.

Like manna from on high his words did fall

It was on the Thrown where it all began

Caused his subjects to stand with heads up tall

He respected the dignity of man.

For fifteen years he did rule to a tee

In gorgeous sets of five unbrokenly

His slaves were freed amid the jubilee

The Crown regained honour and dignity.

The Crown’s indivisibility dies

Britannia’s flag quivered at half-staff

In the whole realm tears fell with their goodbyes

Lizzy wears the mantle on his behalf.

His unsparing devotion you have seen

In Carlton Gardens stands his golden head

In a world of change, said the young, new Queen

His phoenix rises in me with wings spread.

It soars above more splendid than before

Many good things were never left to fate

The Wealth of Nations we all shall create.

Justice comes with self-determination

In Sovereign realms they have independence

Technology joins the exploration

Shine these bright diamonds of transcendence.

Near Papakura Olympic-sized spa

Pohutukawa trees sway in the breeze

Top of Red Hill there stands the Maori Pa

In full view are hives made by honeybees.

Hear this story for crying out real loud

In Aotearoa Lizzy is their Queen

It has caused much hype and buzz in the crowd

A dreamer talks to bees at seventeen.

As one goes south of the City of Sails

Into Tuakau, Te Ika a Mauri

This dreamer has many travails and tales

He is a pakeha and not Maori.

He was born in the winter of July

Lives at home with his lovely wife, Louise

He is shy, lean and reads a lot this guy

It was rumoured that he talked much to bees.

Found on the peaks of Aotearoa

Man made of steel like the mahogany

He dug, clung and did climb in the flora

He walked the Hills of the Kohekohe.

Many days he tramped the forested hills

Bang! Bang! A branch of a tree snapped and fell

One day in the countryside filled with thrills

He did sip brand tea in a cup from Bell.

They told him that his statue would stand tall

These worker bees make hives in floral trees

They said he would stand in Orewa’s Mall

He remembered prophetic chats with pleas.

Think of the Beatitudes as you grow

Humble be and to you they will adore

Generously from the heart let them flow

Remember your vow, now and ever more.

You have become a great part of our lives

Up and up the huge mountain you must soar

Take with you honey that flows from our hives

And good luck dearest friend as you explore.

The exchange of emotions was intense

He now must remember the golden rule

His beekeeping has become a past tense

They knew he would be back before the Yule.

Next day, Ed took off for the long journey

Full of courage, resolve and nerves of steel

On his back, a jar of Tuakau honey

The fear of the unknown, he did conceal.

He and his Sherpa guide before the mount

They both looked at the giant in the sky

Thought of the many steps they each must count

The climb stands at eight thousand meters high.

They dreamed with a useful purpose in mind

No selfish behaviour was in their bones

This vision they made real for all mankind

They judged people never by their skin tones.

There is the challenge they now saw ahead

Bonded by their goal, air, ice, wind and hell

Edmund and Tenzing clung like they were wed

They hoped their travails they themselves would tell.

With care they avoided many missteps

Climbed the ninety-one kilometres left

Up the Third Pole they trudged with measured steps

They reached the peak of the mountain with deft.

Their four feet were the first to ever rest

With knees bent in praise they have crossed the bar

Edmund and Sherpa stood on Mount Everest

Drops of Taukau honey fell from the jar.

Up on their feet the two stood to survey

Safely those two from the mountain came down

The new land was too cold for them to stay

With gladness their faces wore not a frown.

We do know that his quest bears true story

No task is too hard for us to fulfill

Let’s all make good pages in history

It shows what can be achieved with the will.

We heard about Hillary and Norgay

They are from a common stock not elite

Conquered the deadliest peak in their way

Says any challenge we for sure can beat!

Still here, Sir Edmund Hillary gives all

His success code he has carved on the slate

This Kiwi inspires and does enthral

Him! Bradley and Inglis did emulate.