From Separation Blues: Poems 1994–2024
Being brought to tears by Paul Kelly songs.
Never having a dream set outside Australia,
even when you’ve lived in half a dozen countries.
Craving VB, pasties, Minties and Vegemite.
Missing the sound of Richie Benaud’s voice
and the Wide World of Sports theme music.
Buying every book about Australia
or by an Australian
that you ever come across
in second-hand bookstores.
Owning an Akubra, a didgeridoo and a boomerang
even though you have no use for any of them.
Wearing a Wallabies jersey to pubs that show rugby
and insisting on calling everyone you meet mate.
Having an Australian flag in your office, in front
of your house, or tattooed somewhere on your body.
Looking for the Southern Cross in the night sky.
