To a Friend who went to Australia

Down there, down under
you stand, between his legs,
a kangaroo's pouch
if not a squirrel's nest.

You made it.
A long way
from the school-ground
to the aboriginal's land.

Your brown eyes,
your mouth with its red smile,
and how tall you stand
still, as you once did
in the school assembly line.

I can only hope and wish
his darkness, his deceit
have been proved wrong,
or inadequate
against the sun-kissed life, you live.


June 2011.