The old man sat apart

The old man sat apart

Watching the world

Through a prism of historical interest

A mother laughed hysterically

When she lost her balance

Falling from a paddleboard

Into the waiting water,

A tropical estuary

Freshly salted.

Her young daughter stifled a grin

Safe in the knowledge

She would not fall in

The air, heavy with humidity.

Kookaburras fulfil their duty

In maniacal audience participation.

A concord of walkers,

Happy to browse,

Scan through coffee shops,

Brimming with flat whites,

Looking for friends

Hoping to spend time

Discussing the price of houses

The cost of private education

The tax on superannuation.

A party ferry awaits,

Well dressed guests

Already stuffed full of goodwill

Carry gifts and well wishes

From the car to the boat.

So many dreamers

Wishing they could float

Out of sight and sound of their

Moaning partners

Bullying fathers,

Punch-drunk mothers,

Beaten down by the daily pretence

Of duty,

Unfairly blamed

When all they wanted was a quiet life,

‘Cocktail hour’ gets earlier every day.

Four Italian greyhounds

Take their owner,

A dapper man, thoughtfully dressed,

For a morning walk.

He rued the day he bought them

But would never admit his mistake

They leave devastation in their wake

But little kids think they are cute.

Not like the mastiff

Tied by rope

In the back of a ‘ute,’

It is all the old man can do

Not to release it.

Perhaps he should

But he has seen what happens

To those seeking deliverance

And he had set himself up for a peaceful day,

On his own

By a river, close to the sea

A haven of tranquillity.