First Thing
Something's waking me -
far too early
judging by my joint-aches
and the dark window.
The dogs have begun to wrestle
voicelessly so far
but their tumbling
makes highly audible thumping.
Birds are at their tweeting -
they can't have anything
new to tell each other -
earlier it was the park owl
(Tawny Frogmouth, in truth)
with its 'who whom? who whom?'
possible answers being
'I catch small creatures.
Don't you invade my beat.'
Was Tawny in my dream?
Whatever I was dreaming
has already faded -
why can't I have interesting
dreams like other people?
May as well roll out of bed
submit to some doggy toe-licking
and swop pyjamas for
day-clothes and boots.
At my feet two dogs sprawl
supervising my moves.
Can I reach my bootlaces still?
Can I still tie a firm knot?
The motor hum on the road
is the newsagent's car
as today's paper's tossed
from window over roof
dumped with a dull thump
in the violets by my drive.
Breakfast is in the offing.
Muesli with banana and a cuppa -
much later I'll have coffee.
Testing the dogs' patience.
Make a dash for their supplies.
Labs never learn good manners
or not in this house.
Feed and be grateful.
Such are the first things
peace and gratitude
while the paper says
Syria Egypt Afghanistan.
Who whom. Who whom.
Max Richards
------------------------------------------------------------
This email was sent from Netspace Webmail: http://www.netspace.net.au
|