bright red mortality
spews onto old-ochre dirt
as guilelessness pools
into the dreamtime drawing

black skin sweats tears
in the shade-less midday sun
while lean dusty limbs
are chiselled into the foetal position
in a paroxysm of agony and fear

the sugar sack lies open
its contents
innocuously white
mixing to a gentle pink
with the spreading tide
of crimson death

a station-owner’s gift
to the colours of the dreaming
arsenic’s metal-grey
effects its cause
.

When the flowers smile,

my heart swings

and sways

then all the words

go silent.

serpents
slide from slippery tongues
sway and shuffle
drip poison
waft hurt
.

eyes drooping
away from a cloudy sky
lightening threatening
thunder rolling
a splash of daylight
as the sun breaks in
then sudden rain in full fury

folks run for shelter
in a huff and hurry
mayhem
God plays merry hell
I stand dumb-founded
spell bound
lost voice
unable to yell
the shadows move around
as they do in hell

roads vanish
and the sea swims in
a miniscule moment
time wise tsunami
ferocious

all hang upon trees
now growing atop roof tops