Orphaned Islands (Un)poetry

The townsfolk said thank God,
thank God for regional development
and government catalysed industry.
Jobs, services and contractors,
three shifts a day, seven days a week
for at least 50 years –
flow on.
Extra teachers at the school
more nurses at the hospital
increased payday spending for merchants.
What a great use of that wasteland out on the coast.
Win. Win. Win.

Tourists said thank God
thank God it had closed
no more smoke smudged skies or
neon arc nights
the sooner the damn thing was demolished the better
an eyesore
a carbon burping dinosaur
closing – 58 years too late
the site could be made over
and returned to beachfront.
Crazy,
who the hell would ever turn a view like that over to industry.

Vanity and cockiness
young men are filled with both,
so,
it could have been either,
or both.
She was older – 15 years older, with children,
and
husband wanting back.
Me, temporary distraction
but early 20s something only thought of mechanics,
not metaphysics.

There were going to counselling
she told me I was better company ….. more energetic –
told me after returning from counselling.
Erotic, the thought of being the preferred one –
made me feel vain, cocky
and good.

Years later, her then husband spoke at a meeting
taking questions, offering expertise
and intercession.
His eyes were warm and kind
his voice thoughtful and compassionate
his manner genuine.
I felt uncocky and unvain
and bad.

Bouncy castle, sausage sizzle, face painting
scratch band music
a day out –
high country power station, $2 per person
or $5 family admission –
child cancer the benefactor.
See water spun to electricity
attend the village domain fair.
Margarine yellow sun
Monet blue sky
TV advertiser family picnic.
Walking the perimeter I saw her
scandinavian blonde just beginning to platinum
late model SUV,
designer hamper, rug and accoutrements
corporate looking husband –
law, public relations, consultancy ….
two gorgeous children …. now…. 47 at a guess
21+26, yes, 47.

Cut from
a room, marijuana cloud hung
brooding music, hopeful men
marijuana – so tame to her wildness –
pills and potions and promiscuity,
she was greedy for all, and then some.
Eye contact,
and a smile : recognition… and request – non verbal –
hello. And, please don’t.