Andrew, this is really stunning. I feel vividly what you paint and sing.
Sheila
On Dec 4, 2007 11:58 PM, andrew burke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Walking out over a rough and rocky ridge
> walking where cattle tread carefully
> season after season
> and rain pooled yesterday
> walking over breakaways and rock spills
> remembering tracks in England
> steeplechasing over moors
> ordinance maps and compasses
> but here he walks mapless
> feeling his adopted land
>
> A calf runs by
> a calf too young to be alone
> he turns to watch its
> awkward gait as it scurries away
> Now the sun stretches his shadow
> until it is pencil sharp at his head
> striding community muddles
> out of his muscles out of his bones
> puzzles of one culture with another
> worksheets tallies of hours & money
>
> Dingoes slink in late day light
> over the ridge with the sun behind them
> moving together to
> the constant shrilling of crickets
> with the group dynamic
> of an aboriginal dance company
> slinking their bony brown bodies
> toward him he pauses
> their muscles and bones warn him
> they begin a wide circle ragged circle
> an ovum collapsing com
> pressing as they slink their bodies
> about him a whine a yelp
> he walks faster show no fear
> turns walks backwards on his heels
> a few yards inspecting the pack
> they tighten their ragged circle
> before around and behind him
> picking up the pace his pace
> he stoops and picks up stones
> feels their comfort in his palms
> looks ahead to plan his way
> looks back and aims at the nearest dog
> who ducks and the ripple
> runs around the ring
> around the ring
> another rock this time a yelp
> he's hit his mark
> he yells out loudly uselessly
> 'get lost ya bastards!'
> still fear rises in him as they close
> and pant heads low focussed on him
> he lets fly with a volley of stones and shouts
> and walks faster and fast over
> roughest rock breakaway ahead
> the pack hangs back
> he raises a finger high in the air
> as he strides away
> showing bravado
> no fear
>
> --
> Andrew
> http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/aburke/
>
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