The human spirit

The human spirit
finds some solace in nature
where straight lines are rare

That last gasp for breath

That last gasp for breath
colours the air like panic
as day ends again

How her hair moves back

How her hair moves back
as though clearing her whole face
to let her smile beam

As Y2K passed

As Y2K passed
we joked about the end times
it’s not funny now

Graceful like a tree

Graceful like a tree
letting go of vibrant leaves
while planning new growth

Listening to tyres

Listening to tyres
toxic masculinity
skidmarked cul de sacs

Reaching the cover

Reaching the cover
after reading the whole book
wanting another

Trying to stay cool

Trying to stay cool
while turning red in public
blushing like autumn

He looks much older

He looks much older
after only a few days
not seeing my son

Don’t let the weather

Don’t let the weather
fool you into assuming
everything is fine

With your indulgence

With your indulgence
one hundred and fifty poems

mark this small milestone

Surprised a shy bird

Surprised a shy bird
Australian Canary
shat itself then left

He showed us his heart

He showed us his heart
it’s sad it’s remarkable
he touched our own hearts

Under canopies

Under canopies
standing among the branches
at home in the trees

When light is distant

When light is distant
a sliver of reflection
can cut through shadows

Pre-polling threatens

Pre-polling threatens
democracy sausages
vote on polling day

From the mountain range

From the mountain range
Murrumbidgee River flows
through me to the sea

Among the debris

Among the debris
floating on the passing stream
reflections of clouds

Unflinching and still

Unflinching and still
at once present and distant
I wish for calmness

Average white male

Average white male
normalising difference
making space for change

Artworks by Sarah McEwan
Photo by Jo Roberts

One thing I’ve noticed

One thing I’ve noticed
since drinking coffee again
strong opinions flow

Ripples on water

Ripples on water
reflecting the light of dawn
the breaking of day

Rainy sunsets glow

Rainy sunsets glow
purple hues in the heavens
a rare sight this year

It now seems likely

It now seems likely
planting wattles in our yard
increased wattle birds

Wasp attacks spider

Wasp attacks spider
menacing procreation
confronting nature

Show me where it hurts

Show me where it hurts
tell me how I can help you
let me kiss your wounds

I stepped out the door

I stepped out the door
a garden hose on the steps
no — it is a snake

In late morning sun

In late morning sun
among the pigface flowers
a bearded dragon

Crown-wearing red fruit

Crown-wearing red fruit
claims ground in a southern land
thirsty for water

Quiet little town

Quiet little town
never appeared on a map
known as Gunnadoo

Clear skies and cold wind

Clear skies and cold wind
fragrant smoke of cypress pine
winter has returned