A state of emergency has been declared
in Tamworth and downstream, Gunnedah, and now
in Narrabri, where I live in my privileged river frontage
heritage listed comfortable architect designed home.
The flood peak baffles emergency services,
being some sixteen hours behind schedule, not due
until midnight tomorrow. Can I sleep tonight in my bed?
Will I be woken by a surprised state emergency services
some time after midnight tonight demanding with a bureaucratic
knowledge I evacuate this minute. What will I take with me?
A stock broker would be happy with his blackberry.
Should I rip the USB drive from my desktop computer backing
up my latest novel? Write a poem, nothing better to do?
Like Nero playing a violin while Rome burns, I write poetry
while the Namoi River floods Narrabri.
In a state of emergency. I am living now in a state of emergency.
I have brown flood water views from the now enclosed north east verandah
which was open when the architect built this house as
his own architectural dream. A state of emergency. That means
being able to get more money to build again.
(&... PS. Just in case I cannot send this as a Wednesday snap???)
|