Poem Category: Australian

Skipping school

the cicada’s racket

in the boy’s tin can.

Such blinding heat

just the shrill of cicadas

out of the dry north winds.

The old couple

leaves raked

at autumn’s end.

At child’s end

she nurses

a bird from the road.

Interstate bus

near term she is settled

into both back seats.

Licking his whiskers

touched by them …

the cat’s sardines.

Old boxed letters

someone longing

in my mother’s voice.

Old rain forest …

down in the tall light

her ancient hidden potions.

Tiny silent stream

the salmon’s leap

from moon to moon.

Winter cabin

I roll the carrot rings

into our hot busy stew.