A Way of Seeing

The weight of mountains

is an effortless thing

It is not measured

like the cry of an eagle

reaching

It is a silence that floats

This a becoming

within sky ‘s dimension

where the eye shifts

                   carries it

Katherine Gallagher

(from The Eye’s Circle, Rigmarole)

Acacia equisetifolia
Critically endangered – Northern Territory

I am a lonely little wattle shrub
my family name is Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
by various strange and wonderful ways I’m related to the pea.

Peas are plentiful
but my fellow family members dwindle by the day.
Acacia equisetifolia is critically endangered; so the scientists say

I’d really love to have a chat
calling out across the sandy ground, “Is anybody there?”
then hoping for an answer to float on through the humid air.

If anyone in the big wide world would like to visit me
this is where I’ll be,
Graveside Gorge
Kakadu National Park
in the Northern Territory.

I’ll put my yellow pom-pom blooms on show,
they’re a little like dandelion clocks you know.

You’ll find me in a woodland glade
of woollybutt and bloodwood trees;
they’re shady, kind and friendly
but far too big to be my family.

My seed pods need a fire to burst them into life,
a little one will do.
It rained a lot last night and I am so surprised to see,
where last season I popped a pod or two
a teeny tiny green shoot – a sprouting Mini-me.

© Diane Finlay

Acacia equiesetifolia

Message in a Bottle

A bottle washed up on the shore,

In front of me and there I saw,

A written message held therein,

And from my hair I took pin.

The bottle opened using strength,

Hairpin having sufficient length,

Slowly I pulled out the paper,

Intending to read it a little later.

I took it home to show my mother,

My father, sister and my brother.

Unfurled the paper and read aloud,

The words presented bold and proud.

“I’ve written this note just to see,

If someone finds it and rings me.

My number’s written at the end,

This invitation I extend.

I’m hoping to receive a call,

That would be phenomenal.”