Evenings In Springtime : Nov 2021

Babies cry, sleep, change nappies, feed. Toddlers drink water from cups. Younger brothers, younger sister, older brother, older sister, small town, large country. One lane roads, one lane bridges, unsealed, 60mph, in the dark. Bush covered gorges, rail lines across the river, small waterfalls, windows down, no seatbelts in the back seat, lying down, sleeping on the rugs, stopping for carsick ones on the edges. Mum singing, Dad driving, children counting dead possums. The ways into town run through a long winding gorge or a longer winding coastal road, both prone to slips. Nearest cities Christchurch, Nelson, 200 miles away. Only referred to as the Coast, with its own dialect, only belonging when born there. Biscuits four trays, oven Bread hot water cupboard rising, Dad late Holden Kingswood written off, dead bull Packs, boots, carbide lamps, white fizzy hosing down leggings, parkas, gumboots, bikes, back porch full. Flames warm quality coal Sheet lightening children’s window race Nothing more calming than the thunder of the rain.