.jpg)
Sport 39: 2011
Circular Quay
Circular Quay
for david mitchell
Beside the choppy waters of Circular Quay
the years float back like Sydney Harbour ferries—
Narrabeen Collaroy Alexander Vagabond-Princess Charlotte Fishburn
I repeat their names like charms
as the tides take them away and bring them back again.
Once on New Year’s Eve with Pamela Wolfgramm
I caught the Manly ferry back to the city in a storm.
Last night I stood by a window
above streets of carbon and desire
beneath the moon’s yellow rectangle
mesmerised by boats moored in the black water of Elizabeth Bay.
Beside the choppy waters of Circular Quay
today I watch the ferris wheel across the tide at Lunar Park
begin to turn like a distant water wheel
or perhaps a long lost solar system.
Around my head seagulls create outfields of wide-spaced harmony
around my heart love poems curve in full flight across boundaries—
facing the sun’s red cricket ball I learn a poetic of line and length.
As the hour rings like a ship’s bell
beside the choppy waters of Circular Quay
as the blue-breasted mermaids sing
I think
of
David
Mitchell.