2008
On the volcano
The brown snake swished away from under
the steps, startled by my tromping down.
To be fearless here is foolish,
so I watch my step in the stony paddock.
That same day, when I drove up the drive,
there was a conference of magpies
by the deck – dozens in fact – no doubt
discussing the brown snake’s arrival.
If only I could have listened in, I’d have
been the wiser for it. But they flew or hopped
away and I was left to my own devices.
Now, hawks ply the insinuating updrafts –
I wouldn’t want to be a rodent on this
mountain, or anything low on the food chain.
We live among elements, any one of which
could take us in a moment.
A Slant of Light,
Whitmore Press, Geelong, 2008