After the Fires, Kinglake (2)

she is keeping the bricked verandah
she sweeps it clear of leaves
these grey stains
are where the windowglass melted
onto the bricks
she is keeping it clear of leaves

Nature is cheerful here
the trees thronging back
head-high already
after less than two years
bright leaves dress the black trunks
and the small creek is singing its stones again

it is all that is left of the house

she unfolds a chair on the bricks
above the valley hazed with burnt trees
and the air resounds
with his heartbeat, his loss

she is sweeping the brick verandah
she is keeping it clear of leaves

© Pam Schindler