Christchurch - in the City

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Walking in the inner city-

One afternoon, while the parents rested
we drove into the city
and parked on the edge
of Hagley Park beside the Avon River

In my childhood
The Canterbury Museum above
was visited every school holidays.
And our first stop
was always the Egyptian mummy
with heel bone exposed...

At the corner of the old
University of Canterbury campus
is found this beautiful lecture hall
where I once sat for many hours
scribbling copious notes
on the English Language

a glimpse through two of the old buildings
reveals the old uni courtyard
now a part of the bustling Art's Centre

Many charming old ladies
once lined Christchurch streets.
Unfortunately, I noticed many
had been replaced with apartment blocks
and business towers

Once the cafeteria and common rooms
of the university this building
now houses the Duck's Deluxe,
a popular restaurant

Other University buildings are used for
the display of arts and crafts,
a cosy little cinema and markets,
and also house many cafes
which spill onto the street

Which was a perfect setting
for my sister and I to pause
in the Autumn afternoon sunlight
after visiting the contemporary art gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetu
- meaning wellspring + river tributary of the Avon
and also starry sky reflected in water,
and have a leisurely Earl Grey tea

gaze at the splendid almost bare trees

and listen to a large extended family
of Maori singers
busking on the pavement

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