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Absolutely Revolting
Poem

Wilderness

'Wilderness' a poem by Brendan Ryan

by Brendan Ryan •
December 2008–January 2009, no. 307

Past the final service station
into the green beyond of paddocks
soon to be carved up, quartered,
then watched over by streetlights.
In the post-work haze, nostalgia reigns:
lonely crossroads, abandoned weatherboards,
paddocks stretching down to the sea.
The involved stares of other drivers –
resolute, familiar, alone.
The busyness of the day explaining itself
yet like a student in an afternoon class
I’m toey, doubtful – was I too hard?

 


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