Category: Before the Rain

Before global warming
Summers didn’t disappoint
never confounded meteorologists
no one pondered,“ what’s happened to summer this year?”

Sunshine,
skies infinitely wide and denim blue
bikinis and bathing
beer and barbecues
climate extended unlimited credit to enjoyment.

Still some were more glorious – this was one.
A summer of unblinking butter light
warm insect buzzed nights
a summer made for camping.
Biking quiet roads
in shy countryside
tent and gas stove in the shadow of trees
or sleeping in the carcass of a farmhouse
skinny dipping in moonlit bays.
Symphony of forest and waves
weekend wonderland – after work – Friday to Sunday evening.

Three weeks past Christmas time restart
a public holiday to honour the province’s birth
I add Friday to Monday
and cycle to the point of New Zealand closest to Australia.

Tuesday morning
to work
the first day of February
past a school
first day of term
first day for a group of five-year-olds
this was me
minus four years of university
minus five years of high school
minus eight years of pre-high school.

I have my reward.I am on my way to it now.
At morning break
the boss said
“I need to talk to you”
he is holding a telex
“probably nothing to worry about, just some cock up at head office
but…..”

Christmas –
home
shredded wrapping
toasts
friends and distant relatives
“what are you doing these days”
turning to proud parents
“hasn’t he done well!”

Festive season in the Southern Hemisphere
sunshine, sand, surf.
Back to the south
and work
Urrggh ….. but good once there – fulfilling
holidays not quite let go
cricket echoes through the workplace
“what’s the score
………. has he got a hundred yet?”

I resolve to swim each day before work
Bike + tide + bike
it lasts two days.
Never mind
the long go nowhere evenings
rise up and expel morning apathy
with sunset cycling.

Late November a tall man stands
hands crossed over the front of his trousers
covering the gate of paternity
a guard against accidental opening
and addresses the staffroom.

A good-looking man, but not too so
upright,
dark hair parted to the right –
the side of correct politics and God.
Doubt a vestigial element in his life.

He begins to speak
part welcome,
part recitation – royal secretary announcing a knighthood
concurrence reflexive : agreement pro forma.
“A persuasive young lass ” 
 – an alien wink feigns conspiracy –
“ has convinced the visiting Head of Personnel
to extend her employment 
beyond the university holiday curtain call.”

The wave of an arm signals
the chosen one.
He adds personal anointment.
Warm approval gusts through the room.
She smiles acceptance. A little girl given a pony.