Dawn on the Deck
Pay close attention to this moment:
to the pale and promising sky,
to coyly furled flowers and fresh thoughts.
Hear the voice of friends in the magpies’ carolling duet
and the corella’s follow-me screech.
Feel the breeze’s capricious whisper
driving palm fronds to chatter,
excited by the day to come.
The cool, firm seat below,
hesitant remnants of last night’s storm above.
As Honeyeaters, sharp of claw,
tap out good morning on tin roof tops,
the heat of the day waits, patient behind the moment’s cool air,
the dew yet glinting in occasional rays of the still shy sun.
The murmur of distant traffic,
roaring engines
and rumbling exhausts
split peace from the new day,
and summon the commuters to the daily dollar’s call.
Not long now,
the chaos of humanity stirs.
Spilling into today, heedless
of yesterday’s warnings.
Stand now, breath deep: your day awaits.
