Category: Death

“Same difference,” frustration mumbled.
not always said the farmer
whose acute hearing had been forgotten.
He came to farming late
from teaching  mathematics
equivalent and equal were similar, but different.
An example
many years before
a doctor friend worked in outback Australia
early one evening the doctor called to a farm
a worker gored by a bull
during the night the injury gathered pace.
The farmhand died.

In the morning the landowner demanded answers
the doctor unfamiliar with such hostile contempt
lamely proffered it was not always possible to be a lifesaver
“you useless fucking bastard,” scorn screamed
“you didn’t have to save his life
you only had to keep him alive” – until the morning and an aircraft.

The sale did not capture attention
until the Public Notice
…. Ltd sought to notify – a change in land designation.

A petition and meeting
impassioned returnees spoke of migration
to sand
to tide
to high sun
to the same place and same temporary family.
Returning year pursued by year
to tent cities
to skiing on water
to insect repellent tainted sandwiches
to those vacation sounds
transistor cricket, swing ball thud, children shrilling umpire bias
to never cold enough beer
and always too few days.

The company said they understood
it was a beautiful part of the country.
They suggested the petitioners purchase
one of the finished ocean view homes
a million dollars cheap for prime coastal real estate.

Late Friday afternoon
the wedding tomorrow
a busy day for Kate mother of the groom.
to do list
all ticked
except the photographer.
Deposit paid, time confirmed
at home in the morning
pictures of the family – before five becomes six.

Transaction completed
relief catalyses cheerful banter
and false promise
“they can do it all themselves next time”
farewell.

She stepped out of the shop
over the pavement
onto the street
into the traffic … and eternity.

For the back story click Backstage
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