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

Riverina dawn

Riverina dawn
irrigation channels glow
sunrise in Leeton

Drinking on your own

Drinking on your own
seeking shelter under trees
it’s a lonely life

The breezes whisper

The breezes whisper
as the sun sets earlier
a change is coming

Faster than sparrows

Faster than sparrows

the blink of a camera

immortal moment

After vivid dreams

After vivid dreams
emotional responses
don't mention the moon

My mornings alone

My mornings alone
luxuriating in thoughts
pondering feelings

The cock crows early

The cock crows early
lascivious and lonely
dreamy with desire

Missing my coffee

Missing my coffee
when I wake early mornings
bouncing thoughts alone

My outlook is blue

My outlook is blue
looming death dominates view
light shines through the cracks

In another land

In another land
red mushrooms would disappear
among fallen leaves

Lying under wires

Lying under wires
as audible harmonics
swell and ease with wind

Couldn’t change my spots

Couldn’t change my spots
changed my desire to fit in
spot the difference

Wearing all my scars

Wearing all my scars
signs of experiences
so others know me

One day I will leave

One day I will leave
my shell will remain behind
in the web I wove

As the day begins

As the day begins
last night remains in the shade
holding space for dreams

With each beginning

With each beginning
I reflect on how I’ve grown
grateful to grow more

Share your love like air

Share your love like air
exhale love with every breath
make love great again

Round and round we go

Round and round we go
it rarely feels like progress
without stepping back

Without this writing

Without this writing
recording the steps taken
would I know my path?

Those pieces still fit

Those pieces still fit
they just no longer serve me
I have moved forward

Conditions are right

Conditions are right
to arise from under ground
to be held in light

First light of sunrise

First light of sunrise
reflected off glossy black
wings of a raven

Celebrate the flame

Celebrate the flame
in the wake of fire comes growth
live a burning death

Shed the hardened skin

Shed the hardened skin
reveal colours underneath
peel back your layers

The shallow river

The shallow river
dipping in and out of stones
on the valley floor

Get out of the house

Get out of the house
if you’re looking for a sign
perspective can help

Sneaking up on her

Sneaking up on her
as she’s watched by another
her plover lover

Hour before sunset

Hour before sunset
daylight saving feels too long
too early to roost

A pine tree withers

A pine tree withers
bare roots exposed to the sun
where water once flowed

Treacherous sweet fruit

Treacherous sweet fruit
thorny vines strangle the land
blackberries consume

Skimming smooth flat stones

Skimming smooth flat stones
across the broken river
with dry autumn cool

Following a child

Following a child
animated by contrast
I am a shadow

Looking lonely

Looking lonely
behind a Kurrajong's leaves
the Wattlebird sings

From the town of crows

From the town of crows
she flew north and then beyond
into the unknown