PACKING FOR THE JOURNEY
_NORRA HAMMARBYHAMNEN_
you take plastic stars, a bicycle,
a dozen pot plants, a padlock, a pencil,
enough beer, money for the ferry
even when you get there, or if you don’t
you take a succession of songs
they don’t have to be old as cafe songs
they could be new as rain
you listen as you haul, it will work out
you see the ferry stalling on the other side
as the lights begin to come on past the quay
you gather the things around you
the plants need sun but here’s the rain
the plastic stars are all they have
and the pencil, don’t forget the pencil
it draws earth below water and imagines the sun
in the starry night the ferry brings
and you bring your things to the landing
the gates are opening, the padlock drops away
even the rats in the storehouses, the fish
in the sluices, the trams on the bridges, the camp
of the homeless under the pylons, even the strays
are quiet. Except for the rain, and the engines
which begin stuttering. At least
you have the beer.
And there’s enough for everyone.
________________________Jill Jones www.jilljones.com.au
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