Dawn Life Journey

2023 Leaving outback Broken Hill

 

We leave at dawn

a wide land before us

and behind a silver stream of memory

 

The country reveals its fragile beauty

saltbush grey under a level light

over dry gulches with history

in river names

Three Sisters Bridge

did they swim or die here or

wonder why they had come?

why too am I on this journey

in this shadow-country, god-forsaken

and the plain ending in Namatjira-painted hills

with sheep the colour of dust

 

This is not a lush country

nor generous to its invaders

but memory runs deep -

our milestones

smashed kangaroo carcasses

their bloated legs raised above

a smear of flesh and white bones,

crows rise, dark mourners in attendance

black goats note our passing

does this land know the glory of rain?

 

I dreamt of you last night

your shade lingers even here

where you never came

nor will ever come

 

The road behind me

a silver stream of memory