Category: Before the Rain

Photograph always resembled Halloween ghoul
or spotlighted animals,
but this one drew no laughter.
Perhaps the light.

Or photographer :
slim and dark,
ethereal,
attractive rather than pretty,
distinctive –
eyes widely spaced, like headlights of a Buick or Fairlane.
I had seen her in church – loved her by distance.

An almost studio at the rear of pharmacy
a screen pulled down … 
light made to behave, to be quiet.

“Passport?”
Chance can’t believe its luck
delighted to announce it is for the staffboard –
to explain attendance at a conference,
meant absence when the official photographer called.

The five senses.
Smell. The scent of opportunity.
Touch. Hands turn shoulders and head
Taste. Mouth dry.
Sight. Dark + woman
Sound. Heartbeat + “ smile! + $5 – thank you.”

Five dollars when six dollars was an hour’s work.
Admin accepts photograph and receipt –
they will pay me later.
Protocol fulfilled, reimbursement never did.
Anxiety to please didn’t pursue …
didn’t want to seem mean or petty.
No matter,
the photograph is on the board in reception,
with name and title.
Feeling : million dollar. Cost : five. A steal.

Apart from unprompted, unrelated statements
“I don’t like strawberries.”
 ….. “my wife prefers to drive the Ford.”
Kevin was good to work with.

Plodding and patient
beige overalls pillowed by midlife
face creased with perma smile –
teddy bear always came to mind.
A welder in a past life,
no formal training as a science technician,
“ but there you go ”
The director had a few acres
rumour claimed his water supply was curtesy of Kevin.
It may not have been true
but ….
it was that kind of town.

Mission statement
to assist development of new crops beneficial to the region.

Bulbs for export –
can it work?
It’s up to us.
Three days per week, for several weeks, I assist him.
One break time
he brings his tea to where I am sitting.
No preamble
“ it looks like the bulbs are a goer.”
No summary. Only conclusion
“ have to find something else to do now.”

Real-life success.
I pedal home feeling 19 foot tall.

I wait at the back
while the name speakers pour coffee
and select the biggest muffins.

The conference circuit crush –
my first – their zillionth.
…“haven’t seen you since.”
…..“ just about to be published”
………“ how is everything in The Bay.”

Name tagged and proud,
I am the man
in Elton John’s Candle in the Wind
overawed and from the 22nd row.

In a hotel ballroom
I listen to
forex dealers on currency hedging,
entomologists on biological control,
plant physiologists on nutrient uptake,
agricultural engineers on irrigation,
managers on funding.

At the third break
two luminaries are in deep conversation
over the, what did this cost carpet I creep
hoping to eavesdrop wisdom
or the future.

“We’re eating at the Rutherford
and going to Malone’s afterward.
hope the next bit doesn’t go on too long.”