jacarandas shout rebirth!
life turns out of winter sleep;

yet, spring’s unseasonal storms
wash purple tears in torrents

a brother, all of a sudden;
a mother, cancer let go at last

the trees and I weep for my friends,
too soon, we cry with you: too soon

kookaburras laughter
fills the dusk-dim valley

joy echoes in the stillness,
as clouds overshadow the moon

a colleague draws full time closed
a friend prepares to be cut open

the moon and I keep watch,
mark moments, remember

summer sun hints at her arrival,
teasing, promising her warmth

and fevers rage, bodies shiver,
vulnerability exposed post-hibernation

our muscles ache, and our bones,
my hand in my niece’s, beneath her cheek

the sky and I take deep long breaths,
seek healing, seek rest

these short nights and longer days
light persists behind thickest clouds

kookaburras fill the valleys with mirth,
jacarandas proclaim rebirth

photo: m_puseletso/instagram