Snap: a Veranda in North Warrandyte
Step outside Paul and Elsašs kitchen door
onto their veranda with two pairs of scissors
and a bowl and you can pick, this time of year,
from their old vine, ripe dark bunches
of small grapes at eye level and above.
Pinot noir, they say, and part is our dessert,
the rest to go home with us.
Beyond, the view is wide and far part
of the dividing range, the gap where Healesville
must be, the outer north-eastern suburbs
now lighting up, and the Dandenong range:
bush reserves, transmission towers.
John and Bettye are right now driving from there,
a little late, also guests at Elsašs simple mealš.
Six at table is ideal. Therešs much to share.
It's already eleven? Step outside, this time guided
by Paulšs torch see at the verandašs edge
the perfect large spideršs-web at eye level and above,
right now being added to by this bright silver
(in torchlight) large spider, threading steadily
links between his major strands. It deserves to thrive.
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Max Richards
Doncaster, Victoria
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