 |
 |
Thank you, Andrew, for such a pleasing morning (here) walk. best d 2009/6/11 andrew burke <[log in to unmask]> > On Chapman Hill (title) > > > Let’s walk to get the city out > of our bones. I’ll show you red gums, > xanthorrea with spears, flame-tailed > black cockatoos—no strangers here > unless you hear the protea’s accent > on the evening breeze. > > See, kangaroos’ paws break > the tractor tread marks, while > off that stony corner a body rusts, > wings and bonnets, flat trays > and drive shafts, welded > wildly by the elements. > > Tonight, you’ll hear boobooks > stretch silence horizon to horizon > in the bright moonlight. It sends > Pancho into a barking frenzy, > shouting down the ghost in the trees - > attack’s his best line of defense. > > Sure as night follows day, there’s > growth in decay. This land, once > Yamatji, is now _plotted and pieced_. By > the watertank, old Buddha stands silent, > eyes hooded among raindrops sparkling > on gum leaves in sudden sunlight. > > > Notes: xanthorrea are grass trees; boobooks are the most commonest owl > in Oz; Pancho is a mad retriever; Yamatji is a local tribe; 'plotted > and pieced' is from GMHopkins. > > Photos of bush on my blog. > > All comments welcome. > > > Andrew > http://hispirits.blogspot.com/ > -- David Bircumshaw "Nothing can be done in the face of ordinary unhappiness" - PP Website and A Chide's Alphabet http://www.staplednapkin.org.uk The Animal Subsides http://www.arrowheadpress.co.uk/books/animal.html Leicester Poetry Society: http://www.poetryleicester.co.uk