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