Watershed

More so than
The breaking of bread
It's the gentle tap of rain on tin roof
That turns into a gale
While two souls gently unfurl
Tummies full of soup
Grateful for gables to collect drops
As hopes, fears and dreams swim in the air.

Steamy plunge of tannins
Soaking in tea cups
Stories waft like mist
On cold winter mornings
As moody songs fill the silent space between two beings.

Wild wings of wind pick up frothy tips of waves and cast them off in spray.
Wow, we proclaim.
Shed our outer skin to soak in deep ocean.
No words needed.
A watershed moment.

One day

Shelves brimming with books
A leather covered nook
Lace curtain dances
On morning breeze
I hurriedly go to work

One day these pages
Will open to me
I will read aloud
To my love over tea

A neighbour stops
To look longingly
At the morning moon
Snaps it with a long lens
While my blue screen eyes glow

One day I will wake
By the light of the moon
Lying on soft tufts of dry moss
We will curl and trace the sun in morning ritual

Ginger cat curls in winter coat
Around blue flowers soaking low lying sun
Lush grass is mown by guinea pigs on a run
New natives thrive in builder's rubble.

One day, on eve of Spring
I will wade through winter garden's tailings
Gather barrowloads of greens to reveal fresh ground
We will chirp like birds at herbs that survived all odds.
Plant companions for their year ahead.

One day, I hope it comes.
Lime Bay, Tasman Peninsula Tasmania

I am grief

You've always known me
But never spoke my name
I was there when you
Stole the pear and were scolded for it.

Loss of innocence

Constant companion
Not often a friend
How else would you know
When to take to the road?

Loss of home

Hillsides and backyards
Over the sea
Walking beside
Though never really seen

Loss of companionship

Stone cold depths of
Silent nights seem
Quiet without voices
Emotions run deep

Loss of me

Acceptance is key

I accept that you are embedded within 
Like a river stone, smooth and sturdy
While life rushes over it
In full spring flood.

I know that I feel it
All the time, unconsciously
It worries me sometimes
How deep it sinks in

Yet, did the river ever wonder
How or why its rocky bed
Ended up buried inside?
Preventing precious sand and silt
From gushing downhill? No

It likely started a millenia ago
As ice carved deep into rock cathedral
Just as parts of me split off
Lost for decades, until now.

Snow melt reveals beauty laid deep
Life flourishes all around it
Sometimes it's heavy, but it grounds me
Save precious gems, my reality.

So this is me letting you go.
Lake Esperance, Hartz National Park Tasmania

Eve

Woollens hung on bedside chair
Buckets brimming with outer wear
Sticks and bottles, spikes and flasks
Beanies and even balaclava mask.

Promise of adventure lingers still
On the lee of dreams fulfilled
Anxious thoughts evade like mist
Must protect the glare skin kiss.

Nuts and bars, apple for the car
Cosy comforts carry too far
Tunes to take us on the ride
To alpine wonders, step outside.
Hartz Mountain National Park
Photo by Sara Stevens

Alpine adventures

May your winter be as long
As you need to take off
Like a snow angel basking
In its glittery softness

May your climb be as steep as
Your knees can appreciate
To release the adrenalin
High peak's view appease

May alpine flora be abundant
Endless stands of snow gums
Far as the eye, twisted delight
Interspersed bouquets of colour

May twittering friends be close
Watching over your steps
Light feathered entertainment
As you stop and catch your breath

May adventures be far enough
To exhilarate, yet close
So friends can safely join
To share a tea along the way.
View from kunanyi / Mt Wellington, Tasmania.  Photo by Sara Stevens.