My Frigate Bird - A poem by His Excellency, President Taneti Maamau of Kiribati

Initially delivered at the General Debate of the 71st United Nations General Assembly (2016): My Frigate Bird Cloaked in black, white-bellied, and fork tailed, you are my beauty in the north With your long and graceful wings, you are my inspiration in the center As you speed across the deep vast ocean, you are my sanctuary in the south With your clicking wheezy calls, you are my song and garland everywhere On a banner of blue, white, yellow and red, you ascend beyond the waves and the sun rays Now you struggle against storms and westerly winds to find food and nesting But you will never leave in haste nor go in flight, for you are the fulcrum of the universe Arise my frigate bird with valor and strength, rise over the perilous tides from the east And fly brave and proud on the currents of wind, for you are and always will be my transformation Proud am I to be an I-Kiribati – my frigate bird, my liberty, my identity. [Read his full statement here: http://tiny.cc/8napvy