To celebrate our 75th birthday, we’re presenting exceptional works from Meanjin’s past that have defined and challenged Australian literary culture.
Young girls entering their
parents’ bedroom eager for
conversation of the most cosmic
kind Mum, I was wondering… , or
Mum, remember how you said… ?
pause suddenly
as they pass before the mirror, their eyes
flicking like tiddlers into that
bland pool just one flick and they’re gone
finning busily in the depthless element
of their vanity, their restless
search for reassurance,
while parents,
in that other world beyond, scoop patiently
at the surface, smilingly murmur: Well, go on …
you were wondering … and: As you were
saying …
But to no end — all conversations
sink under the weight of
abstractions, of wiggling dreams from which,
occasionally, they rise
with experimental eyebrows, lips still framing
cutenesses in between answering: Mmmnn? …
What’s that, Mum?… I didn’t hear you …
Meanjin Volume 41 Issue 3 1982
The full Meanjin archive can be accessed at www.informit.com.au/meanjinbackfiles
