Breathtaking. That is the word that comes to mind when I immerse myself in the poetry of Momoe Malietoa Von Reiche. Breathtaking.
You know writing is Magnificent when you find yourself holding your breath without even realizing it, not because the words shock you but because the meaning of what they carry speak directly into a part of your self that is true.
Like great art, writing like this occupies a spiritual plane that surpasses human experience. It is Creative Essence that both gives and takes breath, fluidly crossing time and space in a way that renders moments into years and vice versa. Such is the writing of Momoe Malietoa Von Reiche, who in my opinion is one of our greatest Tangata o le Moana/Pasifika writers.
Published in 1989 by New Women’s Press, Tai heart of a tree brings together into one collection three of Momoe’s previously published books. The earlier works are: Solaua, a secret embryo (1979); Paa Alimago on wet days (1979); Alaoa, above the gully of your childhood (1986).
Organised into three sections of about 30 pages each, Tai includes a total of 112 (mostly) short-form poems that are accompanied by a number of black ink artworks reflecting Momoe’s mastery as an artist in the truest sense (she is also a sculptor, children’s book author, and the owner/curator of MADD Gallery in Apia).
Reflecting on the diversity of personal and political themes canvassed by Momoe in Tai, I am in awe, in particular, of the way she gives voice to Sorrow as an emotional experience tied to people and place:
‘waving your virility in my face – I’m old’ (p49)
‘I used to more than love you / but like the parched earth / My love was never returned’ (p66)
…..while also giving It (Sorrow) definition in transcendent spaces as an entity that is universal and constant. The poem ‘Sadness’ (p52) is a stunning example of this.
Tai heart of a tree is a powerful collection of poetry that will move you in ways that are unexpected and wonderful. The book offers a rare opportunity to walk with a writer who is wise, witty and honest. The book left me with a longing to meet the author in person… which I’m humbled to say unexpectedly occurred last year in September during a visit to Sāmoa. The photo below is from that chance meeting (with Momoe’s son Stefan, who is also an artist standing next to her, and my sister Chantelle standing next to me).
*For readers in Aotearoa, although Tai heart of a tree is out of print, copies are held in the Auckland City Library collection.
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