Everywoman
The Walk
after the deluge
the track was heavy hard-going
shoes muddied bogs to be side-stepped
yet there was grace in the morning walk
light was breaking
through unzipped clouds
making the bush smile
a thousand welcoming smiles
dazzling and bright eyed
a slow waltz shimmered through leaves
vibrant red gums stood friendly sentinels
mossy rocks verdantly green
palms washed clean
i leant against the familiar trunk of a gumtree
reassured by its sturdy cool presence
a shadow crossed my path
i looked up –
a yellow-crested cockatoo
ferns caught my eye dripping with dew
as tears
* * *
they are walking too today
along cold corridors
on frozen earth
they can’t hurry although it’s urgent –
a matter of life and death
they are pressed
no time for a last glance back
their homes their precious things
surrendered for desecration
the air cries silently
for their wounded homeland
they are slow
burdened with babies children elders pets
no comfort of saucepans tea pots books music
a shadow crosses their path
they cower huddle whimper
* * *
she is walking now
not like me
she is walking for her life
and the life of her child
her track is short to safety
but it ‘s not
she sees a welcome sign just ahead
but she doesn’t let us imagine
people welcoming her with warm soup hot bread
reassured by soldiers like sentinels
many who reach out to help
let someone kind ease her burden
let smiling eyes greet her
tired and sad
and give her shelter
when a shadow crosses her path
let her and her child be safe
and its noise not exacerbate her fear
her words i cannot decipher
but i understand the language
she is everywoman
