green

today I saw the most perfect green
and then light dappling on old bricks
a man inside a suit

we will take a train later
we will travel to the north
three hours in sunshine

we rode the back way
feet pushing pedals pushing
road beneath us barely warm

to the morning market
people gave us tastings
little cheese and fruit paste breakfasts

we will take a train later
we will travel to the north
three hours in sunshine

then I bought books not paper
gifts that might ease and distract
heavy times dispelled by pictures

around the house grabbing things
scooting under water and fastly
out into the luggaged noon

big queue at the station
music festival camping weekend
youth dancing naked in rivers

we take a train
travelling to the north
three hours in sunshine

for my sister many tunes
two prescriptions of sound
like choya-flavoured medicine

land around escaping past
brown like toffee too sweet
too soft for this burnt sun

carriage sways and clatters
man snoozes opposite while
beside-wards green is being read

we take a train
travelling to the north
three hours in sunshine

longest platform in the southern hemisphere
fat woman sways with bags
refuses warmly to be helped

and then the face of my father
coming out of solution
old man reaching forward to shake hands.

1st December 2006