(Fort Smith, NT – June 17, 2008)
I saw, heard, felt
delicate wildflowers, always ready for a bouquet,
a slowly picked bundle of yellow, white, pink, purple
small and fragrant beauty
the river
the sound of rapids, glorious white ribbons streaming round the rocks,
the sound of liquid thunder
I fell in and out of love on your banks
poplars in the wind, whooshing and waving and singing,
silver undersides of leaves sparkling in the sun,
soothing and stirring the earth and sky
the old paths, worn by childhood memories and imagination,
soft and sandy, familiar to my feet
the lookout, breathless lookout, stage of the sunset,
throws my heart over the landslide into the river,
the largest place I know
the leprechaun forest, chopped down and left for dead
the magic has seeped out – don’t you understand what was here?
the road much travelled, the sound of gravel in the driveway,
leading home
this is my home
the forest my teacher, sweetly whispering
the river my priest, sacred and forgiving
you gave me my purity
entreated my imagination
broke me on the rocks of womanhood
sang longing into my spirit
you always open your arms and take me back
~lg
