kookaburra settles on gum, starts laughing at us
sitting around gas light, what’s all the fuss?
sounds of other campers mimicking the bird
if you’ve never heard one, you’d think it absurd

light breeze blows, rustles all the leaves
a little chilly on our backs, not quite at ease
mosquitoes on occasion see opportunity
to take a bit of blood from bare wrist or knee

earlier on estuary male duck flew downstream
checking out its safety for mate and progeny
mother duck glides in front of her brood
three tiny ducklings all search for food

underneath surface webbed feet paddle fast
above, the silver water looks smooth as glass
tiny male blue wren darts from shrub to shrub
finds smallest insect which becomes evening-grub

hear screech of birds - friend sees black cockatoos
unique and beautiful creatures fly against blue
stars pinprick holes in twilight-atmosphere
as whole sky darkens and sun falls from view

female friend diaries while husband reads book
all around us families wash dishes or cook
small gold leaf just fell on to writing-page
live close to environment like ancient sage

friend attempts crossword: clue is ‘renounce’
comes up with ‘abnegate’, finds word, pounce!
wrapped traveling-rug around lower back
keeps kidneys warm as sit around slack

probably ten years since family camped here
with groups of friends, relaxed at end of year
often stayed a month, living under trees ...
hear koala grunt loudly, mate trying to please

night sharpens senses, eyes and ears alert
lots of insects bite, in air or on dirt
tiny moth appears, attracted by gas light
gets far too close, burns up, out of sight