Merry Christmas!

Magpie dawn
Children pyjama'd and barefoot on the road's edge
Radio controlled car, new bicycle, faces shining with joy and first light
In the kitchen, day's heat beats against the window glass, loud, insistent,
Slipping through louvres
Wrapping sweaty fingers around our necks
as bent together around the table we fill the platters
egg shells and mayonnaise, watermelon and mango (don't waste the pip!)



Midday
cicada song
rising warm from the earth
barbecue smoke and laughter
under the lemon scented gums
snapping Christmas crackers and prawn shells in our fingers
Steaks, snags, seafood, salad, stubbies (cold!)
We stretch out on tartan rugs in dappled sunlight
languid as the summer air



Kookaburra chorus to mark day's end
we gather rugs and eskies and trail home
picking our way like sheep through stubble
lit golden by the embers of the harvest sky
Gifts have been given and gifts received
Family embraced, friendship rejoiced
Joy and love and for the new year
hope renewed