Homecoming

Filled to the brim with social engagement,
Bad food, and the stimulation of new places.
My children regroup in the three hour car journey.
A few 'grizzles' on route.
The odd altercation.
Generally quiet resting prevails.
Then arrival,
Slowly pile out disheveled,
From a car of disorganised detritus.
Then the loathsome job of unpacking when you are tired.
But the kids;
Well like I said;
'Regrouped!'
Ready to start the party.

Long and Winding Road

Car travel,
Long repeated journeys,
Over remembered corrugations.
Pot holes and blind corners,
Wildlife hot spots.

The car filled with detritus of unemployed children:
Wrappers, hair ties, odd socks, empty water bottles and discarded toys.
Chorus from the backseat:
"What town is this?
Are we stopping here?"

Your mind wanders,
As do your eyes into a stranger's life.
Till a close call with oncoming traffic,
Draws your attention abruptly back.

You think through the day,
Your week, your life.
Re-run or plan discussions in your head.
You try to keep your eyes focused,
Ignore their drooping fatigue.

Prolonged travelling,
This is the tiring reality,
Of those who choose to live in the bush.

The General Store

It's the beating heart.
Not racing so much these days.
Ever evolving.
Has become the Butcher, Newsagency, Fruit Barn, Bank,
And recently Post Office.
It stands almost alone.
The blank faces of the closed businesses look on,
Display windows of dust and dead blowies.
The bustling activity inside is a welcome sign of life.
Shoppers and staff welcome each other with genuine interest and affection
Service is paramount.
The stock on the shelves reflects individuals' tastes:
Colgate, Heinz, Chum and Pecks Anchovite.
And decreases at the same rate as the population.
To shop here is to embrace your community.
Yet there are those,
Feigning poverty,
Who empty their petrol tanks to get to Aldi.






.

Student Free Day

Today was a student free day.
Student free, but not of course teacher free.
Conversation less restrained.
No packed lunch.
Holiday stories exchanged.
Timetables adjusted and curriculum planned.
Enrolments speculated.
Managing recalcitrant and demanding parents?
Strategies discussed.
Lessons and excursions organised.
Resources located.
Post opened.
Classrooms readied
And in your minds eye,
As you are driving home,
You see them before you,
With eager faces and new uniforms,
Your students.

Rushing

I
Rush, rush, rush!
Tightly coiled spring
Potential energy about to break out
Without purpose
Adrenalin pumped
High focus
Poor judgement
Energy quickly spent
Like a blown out candle

Wine and Good Company

The warm aromas greet you at the door
Caramelising flesh sweetness of fresh greens
Drop your bags and take a seat ringside
Ephervesant sparkles hit your glass
Introductory and catch up conversation
Smiles and questions
Gossip
Platter brimming
Anticipation building
Each portion seved
Toasts made
Then we dine
Conversation flows smoothly as wine

The Chaos of Return

We're all back.
The whole family.
Together again.
Bang and crash,
Bodies and belongings,
In through the back door.

Sunburn, bee sting
And dirty washing.
Tired and overexcited.
Running inside
Squeals and screams
Too many requests

"Can I .....?"
"Could I.....?"
"Could you....?"
"Not right now, we aren't even in the door."
"I've got to make dinner."
"You've got all day tomorrow."

Then, as one by one,
The chaos of childhood retires
 I take a moment at the kitchen table.
The dinner dishes.

Yes, I've got all day,
Tomorrow.