narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

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  Good thing Maggie came round for a cuppa. Only on the floor two days. She’s waiting in Emergency with me, which is nice of her. Hip replacement you say? Really? Is it cheaper to get them both done? No need? What about the knees? I really like those drawstring pants. I think I’ll get them anyway.

  Thursday 22 August 2013

  Australistan

  James Craib

  Wentworth Falls, NSW

  We walk in unmarked sand; some of us came from Afghanistan –

  It was not considered underhand when we brought to this foreign land ...

  our expertise to roam the desert.

  Dromedary camels were on hand, imported in from Rajasthan –

  and from what is now called Pakistan. We opened up the wide brown land;

  following explorers such as Sturt.

  Now in the dust of Afghanistan, blood is spilt on unmarked sand –

  we flee from the Taliban but we are now known as contraband ...

  For destiny comes too soon.

  In the unmarked sand of Tranquillity, Neil Armstrong made history –

  But he did not convert to Islam though he lived in Lebanon, Ohio ...

  He just walked upon the Moon.

  Across the endless dead centre waste, runs a train with leisurely pace –

  It’s known as the ‘Ghan’, and, luxurious within runs from Adelaide to Darwin

  following the cameleers’ tracks.

  We glide over endless sand in cocooned ease aboard the ‘Ghan’ –

  A chardonnay in either hand with barely a thought for camels or man ...

  or the Aboriginals black.

  Ten thousand camels brought to these shores have now become a million more

  A feral legacy to be sure, another ruinous burden for ...

  the ‘lucky country’s’ hacks.

  We walk in unmarked sand; the day of judgement is at hand –

  We left our camels; that was not planned ...

  For destiny comes too soon.

  Friday 23 August 2013

  Game

  Judith Bruton

  Lennox Head, NSW

  No human being is innocent, but there is a class of innocent human actions called Games.