Encounter 1979
midnight in Melbourne
the gritty city
a slow-motion
novel
unfolding around her…
no one knows her name
lost … anonymous
she's not involved
in the city’s game
content to walk
a dark slant of rain
unnoticed
by the novel’s
characters…
stopped by no one
she owns no fame …
in silence
she see 's things
hidden by night
back streets that are softened
in the absence of light
puddles reflecting
her eyes tear bright …
her head is hooded
for her rain-sodden flight …
one by one
she paced each city street
lost in a grey maze
she simply followed her feet
not pausing to wonder… rest …eat
not stopping at all
she had no- where to sleep
her feet kept on moving
but found
no way out …
she thought dawn felt like
a distant and far off
promise of day
a water logged sun
misty and grey
as weariness
and an unguarded step
landed her
in a heap
at some stranger’s feet …
you poor wet fish
the woman said
with a tired smile
you had better come home with me…
with exhaustion she followed
feeling like a wild creature
brought in from the rain
not knowing
how she got there
not feeling quite sane…
poor wet fish , the woman chuckled
humming a sweet tune with a folksy air
life's not always fair
it’s your life young one
but it’s not always fair…
they feasted on soup in hot mugs
the woman let her sleep
until three
late afternoon found them
rising with shadows
silver fog misting in with the rain
the woman danced
in rainbow socks
listening to Cat Stevens again
they snacked on bread and cheese
the woman told her
she could stay if she pleased …
the offer kindly and wistfully declined
I can't stay…
… I’m running out of time
the young woman shrugged at
the isolation of the girl
don't get lost, little fish
in this rough and tumble world
now come ,
I'll take you as far as I can go
for where you are heading
only you know
they parted… with a hug
out- skirts of the city,
a back drop of buildings
wet and gritty,
the young woman smiled
at innocent girl
this is my home
go now child
while you’re still free to roam…
one wet night
in Melbourne
the gritty city
a slow-motion panorama
where no one knew
her name
she was touched
by a gift
of friendship
and began to understand
the game;
sharonlee©
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