Under the Impression
Red Centre
Any cockroach can climb up
the walls of an ancient cathedral
oblivious of architecture, uncaring of sacred hope
or musical summons.
Any ant or fly can perch above
in blind superiority;
buzzing, maybe stinging,
spreading filth and building roads:
transporting trucks
and breaking open earth to steal
its lifeblood magic.
We don't believe in magic.
Rational: we don't believe.
We're so cynical and world weary,
so delighted with our echoing emptiness.
That haunting word once:
Uluru.
Ayers rock, named for some man,
some social climber.
Safety chain and glossy photos;
but the spirits have claimed 35 lives
and maybe more.
Grab your insect repellent and sunscreen,
spirituality repellent and heartscreen:
well protected from the consequences
of our actions
we remain mad dogs and Englishmen,
but the patient land still wears
a skirt of green
and swirling scarves of parrots;
sings her songs, growls her warnings:
red and mighty mother.
the walls of an ancient cathedral
oblivious of architecture, uncaring of sacred hope
or musical summons.
Any ant or fly can perch above
in blind superiority;
buzzing, maybe stinging,
spreading filth and building roads:
transporting trucks
and breaking open earth to steal
its lifeblood magic.
We don't believe in magic.
Rational: we don't believe.
We're so cynical and world weary,
so delighted with our echoing emptiness.
That haunting word once:
Uluru.
Ayers rock, named for some man,
some social climber.
Safety chain and glossy photos;
but the spirits have claimed 35 lives
and maybe more.
Grab your insect repellent and sunscreen,
spirituality repellent and heartscreen:
well protected from the consequences
of our actions
we remain mad dogs and Englishmen,
but the patient land still wears
a skirt of green
and swirling scarves of parrots;
sings her songs, growls her warnings:
red and mighty mother.