Morning poem

I rise as usual

before the daily sun,

step into my garden,

surveying all around –

I am met by silence

no one is singing

no one’s making noise-

do they mourn today

in communion with

koalas and kangaroos?

My country – soaked in denial

and fierce when armed

with lies that lead the way

to fires whether near

or distant skies-

drench the land in red,

drown every butterfly,

Too late! Too late! My

heart bereft of hope

so faint – the break

of twig that is cackling –

snap – pop- gone