Kianteata Teabo

Reluctant Flame to me tells about the indigenous people who try to connect and relate to a world view of civilization that is happening in their midst. Western values blend with melanesian cultural values to the point of taking over our national identities. The poem is contemporary with the Pacific wide call for regionalism such as the Pacific Way and the Melanesian spearhead group as well as the Micro-States and Kanaky movement. The reluctant flame is still burning inside Melansians, Micronesians and Polynesians per se but we are all encircled and somewhat over-powered by the dominant world view of western civilizations !!