where's the fun
here in the desert sun
when you talk with one
who can't see
the beauty...
shimmering air glinting off
red rocky rises, gaps and escarpments
leaves lolling lazily
across sandy river beds
the lands black feet walking still
remembering
a time when roads were nil
and whitefellas hadn't spilled
across their sacred land
when life wasn't planned
scanned and graded
into channels of control
now police patrol
tared streets
and black feet
keep
the rules
while we break theirs
it seems there's no breaking
through and
cultural walls
stall relationships new

yet in the suns shimmering heat
the country's still alive
with languages that understand
its rhythms, lands

as the sands of time run out

that ugly bit
that's hanging over
hanging out

draw a line and
redefine
my life
remove the strife

and let this heavy
burden
hit the bin

and let my life
begin
again

(dedicated to Leys - may the pain be short and pleasure forever)

has come
purchased at LIGHTS'R'US
and finally with overshoulder illumination
I can READ instead of watching TV
a world has re-openned
time expanded into unfettered
opportunities for growth and discovery
during nightly couch sitting episodes

today it's 'wisdom of the elders'
a monumental book by
David Suzuki et al about the alternative world views
of Indigenous peoples
how these perceptions are not the naive tales
of dying races but relevant and potent wisdom
for today

and guess what 'Earth7'
is nearing its end!
nearly time for nature to clear the table
and start again