Here (Self Portrait)

I arise before first light to take photos of the sunrise over K'gari and the Sandy Straits. 

Before the sun appears, the ground is sharply cold underfoot. There is little sand, but rocks, oyster shells, gravel. Within the water sludge-silt lines the bottom. The clarity of the water is disrupted by my careful footprints and brown rises in clouds. 

I am a newcomer to the area, still feel a newcomer to the state. Despite having birthed two kids here, married a Queenslander, lived here for getting on to ten years I still refer to 'you Queenslanders' and blink in astonishment at various things. 

But here. On the shore. Here, wading in sea, tottering over rocks with my non-balance, questing for falls of light. I belong. 

Happiness is the sea. 

 

And everything was gold and light

Early morning, winter. And the chill bites at me and I exalt and wish it would last forever. Frost coats the golden grass and I hurry out before the sun steals it away. 

This moment when the sun and the frost exist together is so brief, but so lovely. 

 

Within the Tree

Within the park a shark swam within during the floods, within the old and sprawling tree, my children and their friend play hide and seek, disappearing and reappearing within the huge trunks and buttresses. 

 

Morning Light

 

First light by the sea. 

And all the world is magic. 

Float

 

Afloat. 

At perfect rest. 

Held between sea and sky. 

Night and Day. 

Afloat.