Contemplations
at Sunset

A poem by Barbara A. Taylor
                     ~ for Kate

Before me: sprawling green in the equipoise
of March equinox, and the gangly joey
hanging out of pouch -- a sort of Cirque du Soleil act
in acrobatic nibblings on jewelled grass. Where flocks
of sulphur-crested cockatoos frolic high in trees,
squawking, screeching, claim their rights to food.
They gather in their troops. And barren chooks
have left shadowed orchard rows, robotically
return to roosts to remain safe, secure
from sly and hungry snakes.
Kookaburras too, are calling
long, loud, telling every
living thing around
that this sound means
the land belongs to them.
Long-awaited moisture
with the sun's closing rays
brings life to earth, softly
sprinkling tears from above.
I look for a rainbow over
yonder Cathedral Rock.
Giant bamboos groan, clatter,
shocking Peace Doves to the skies.

Copyright 2006 by Barbara A. Taylor