This poem is about playing with a poi, a traditional Maori ball on a string. It describes the poi being swung up and down, inside and outside, with the refrain "Fly my poi" repeated throughout. The simple, repetitive structure emphasizes the rhythmic motions of the poi in performance.

1. E rere taku poi
E rere taku poi,
E rere taku poi,
Ki runga, ki runga.
E rere taku poi,
E rere taku poi,
Ki raro, ki raro.
E rere runga,
E rere raro,
E rere roto,
E rere waho.
E rere taku poi,
E rere taku poi
Ki runga, ki runga.
(repeat)

2. Fly my poi,
Fly my poi
Upwards, upwards
Fly my poi,
Fly my poi
Downwards, downwards
Fly up, Fly down, Fly in, Fly out.
Fly my poi,
Fly my poi
Upwards, upwards