what’s at Weeroona? seven brown-headed ducks
green feather near tail, such is our luck
and six top-knot pigeons feast on grass seed
grey-brown and white, peck as they feed
near large oak tree, five cockatiels
scratch with claws, beaks scrape for meal
little black hens, move on the lake
paddle about, underwater food take
behind table single magpie scares off pigeon
strutting about, it’s his dominion
from smooth-bark tree, eastern rosella
wings, and flies free, rainbow colour
sun bright in eyes, as westerly rides
scatters reflections, breaks lake surface wide
dog sniffs light pole, leash held by girl
with mate in shorts, canine takes them for burl
mother in sari, father holds baby child
happy Indian trio takes photo of life-wild
cockatiels considered pests, grass uprooting
searching for bugs, lawn destroying
kid pushes tricycle, like a scooter rides
loses control, gets up after nose dive
ducks come near table, one chases other
neck outstretched, food scraps gather
popular venue, for evening walkers
joggers and strollers, and mobile phone talkers
eyes squint in wind, sun begins to glower
shines through trees, brilliant orb sinks lower
galah arrives, pink neck and head white
light-grey back, swaggers, takes off in fright
top-knot runs closer, tiny feet, pinky-red
picks over leavings, where cockatiels fed
beautiful baby with forehead-marking
could be Brahmin, evening is darkening
golden-tinged sun falls behind trees
families turn homeward in strengthening breeze
in streaky-bacon sky, galahs screeching
select sites in trees, settling time reaching
pair of back swans with red beaks dip
head for island after day’s final trip
alone at nightfall watch seagull skim lake
then sit on light pole, taking a break
another solo bird, cockatoo raucous
finds spot in hoop pine, flies water across
large group of ducks gather near barbeque crowd
people throw crumbs, call out in voices loud
colour deepening, sun almost gone
getting quite chilly as pink clouds form
tinge of sadness washes through emotions
wellspring of sorrow deeper than oceans
every evening, silently farewell darling
gone to spirit land, lost prince charming
