Fingers in the dirt

Fingers in the dirt
grasping at a weed tap root
at one with the yard

While walking behind

While walking behind
in a cloud of cumbungi
I captured magic

Remain where they drowned

Remain where they drowned
signs of what Fivebough once held
weathered black box trunks

Steps accompany

Steps accompany
the flick of a tail feather
as the swamphen struts

Puddles near and far

Puddles near and far
a path snakes through cumbungi
reflecting rain clouds

Her school raise concerns

Her school raise concerns
that family trait displayed
in marks down her arms

Default mode is cold

Default mode is cold
when I turn to old habits
winter slowly turns

I can't help myself

I can't help myself
beautiful art within my reach
so I will grab it

(Art by Carol Davidson)

Temperature falls

Temperature falls
and from distant citrus farms
the hum of frost fans

The folding of light

The folding of light
shrinks distances while standing
brings the wary close

Standing very still

Standing very still
a thornbill doesn’t see me
breeding plumage glows

Marrawa St sign

Marrawa St sign
always wanted to add "na"
30 years later

I tease my daughter

I tease my daughter
call her favourite singer
Barry not Harry

In much simpler times

In much simpler times
hugs with enthusiasm
a kiss on the neck

Catch my reflection

Catch my reflection
those dark eyes look back at me
across the decade

Those ducks might be pairs

Those ducks might be pairs
a pelican stands alone
swans swim with cygnets

Noisily take flight

Noisily take flight
disturbed from the cumbungi
Magpie Geese return

Explosions of sound

Explosions of sound
echoing with bright colours
a crowd coos as one

An attentive crowd

An attentive crowd
sharing enthusiasm
indulging passions

In the nicest way

In the nicest way
boosting my immune system
smiling and singing

Chatter announces

Chatter announces
golden-haired cisticola
among cumbungi

No chance to focus

No chance to focus
school holidays never end
ever since lockdown

Anxious for today

Anxious for today
dreaming of performances
I woke too early

Smells throughout the house

Smell throughout the house
lingers like toilet cleaner
her scented candles

Youse is a great word

Youse is a great word
Australians fondly say
but I still like y’all

Earworms multiply

Earworms multiply
each child sings different pop
holiday soundtrack

Pedals grip my feet

Pedals grip my feet
a saddle supports my seat
my bike carries me

Among distant swans

Among distant swans
saw my first Brolga today
we both walked Fivebough

Room full of toddlers

Room full of toddlers
excitement pushed to limits
as meerkats escape

Crafting my reasons

Crafting my reasons
navigating galleries
seeking artful terms

Opening emails

Opening emails
default view is negative
draft replies later