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We all have beginnings somewhere,
a place where the soul first took root
and drew its history, fixed a compass 
point, a pin in a map to mark its home.
For me it was here
where the horizon began
in a haze of mangrove trees
and broad tidal flats
and boats bellied in mud 
when the sea sucked back the river
leaving its gums grinning 
under a warm sun. It was here
where my ancestors landed
more than a century and a half ago.

Now manicured to prime real estate,
the tides keep to an orderly flow 
within grassy banks overseen
by multi million dollar views.
The mangrove forests have gone,
the swamps sanitised to lawn.
I look across the glistening reaches
of a man made lake to where 
the slow drift of sailboats scrape 
the bottom of an evening sky.
All seems out of place, not home
and yet I mull as to whether 
there is any other beyond this one, 
beyond the little sailing boats
and the barking dog nearby.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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M  Avatar
May 16, 2025 at 6:46 AM
This wonderful poem really resonated with me Paul…..l grew up in a small rural coastal holiday shack suburb in Perth…..we bought the house when my mum downsized …it was lovely, looking out the windows it was greenery, it was quiet, the beach never fully populated…it was untouched….now its a metropolis the place to be….change aplenty! (It didn't take me long…Im back ha! Debx
Willason Avatar
May 17, 2025 at 6:04 AM
So pleased you're back....and that the poem spoke to your own experiences. My childhood was spent exploring the tidal reaches of the Port River in Adelaide...thick mud and mangroves, delightful. Take care my friend...
Lane Avatar
May 15, 2025 at 6:24 AM
"Swamps sanitized to lawn" Nature despoiled along with the mangroves that got in man's way. I liked your line of boats being bellied in mud. Flares from your pen, Paul.
Willason Avatar
May 16, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Always like to have a line that jumps out a bit...rather fortunate that sometimes they just pop into this old head of mine. Many thanks Lin for reading and sending yr kind words. Valued. Paul
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