Nowhere
By the side of the road
You unfold your flat earth
And consult it for directions.
Little round towns are threaded
Yellow on a red road
Winding round the numbered mountains.
But here, there is no
Golf course
Rest area
Scenic view
Historic place
Or motor camp:
Look up. Perfect summer blue
Shows between the leaves
Of a spreading puriri
Old as the hills.
Look down. Through the dry grass
The black ants crackle.
They’ve found your biscuits.
According to the AA
You are nowhere.
Now you know.
About this poem
This poem, representing New Zealand, is part of The Written World – our collaboration with BBC radio to broadcast a poem from every single nation competing in London 2012.
Learning Resources
SQA Key:
National 5
Higher
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New Zealand: The Written World
Activities in this resource are aimed at pupils in lower secondary school (S1–S3). Curriculum for Excellence Correspondences (Levels 3–4) Literacy and English experiences and outcomes.
