Tall enough at last
By Karen Lamb. We are the only ones there, all the other kids at school and their parents at work. ‘Can I have a go this time?’ So keen now that he has seen me, his dad and his uncle … Continued
Peanut Butter Sandwiches
By Karen Lamb. Why is this naughty girl paying me attention? I am one of the quiet ones, but I love the way she doesn’t seem to care – she’s noisy when the teacher says be quiet! And I really … Continued
A Mother’s Lament
By Kevin Drum. Was that his voice I thought I heard? The throaty chuckle and kindly word I’m not expecting him today He never tells me, but that’s his way He knows my needs are not too much A … Continued
The St George Lothario
By Kevin Drum. There wasn’t a publican or club manager who didn’t acknowledge him by name. Then there were the nodding acquaintances, train station attendants and guards, bus drivers, hairdressers, snooker hall managers, and taxi drivers. All were vital threads … Continued
Mt Ruapehu Tragedy 1990
By Kevin Drum. Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest active volcano, and the North Island’s highest peak. It soars in snow-capped splendour to just under 2800 metres, dominating the surrounding countryside. In keeping with the translation of its Maori name … Continued
An Australian Winter’s Tale
COLD INNIT Geoffrey Gaskill It wasn’t cold here like the old country. He’d read the poster about coming to Sunny Australia but all he found was another kind of chill. He arrived on the winter solstice and a dour Customs … Continued
Ekphrastic Poetry
Simple Sculpture, by Gayle Langford, FIVE POETS RESPOND TO THIS SIMPLE SCULPTURE REG By Jean Pearce Pour me another bourbon mate, yeah pour it straight … My name’s Reginald, Reg for short, R for royal and ridiculously rich, Just jokin’ … Continued
A Wedding, Part 4: Lost Left Shoe
By Claudia Collins. A Wedding in a Small Country Town Part 3: Lost Left Shoe ‘I can’t find my left shoe. Is this a sign that I’m making a mistake? Maybe I shouldn’t marry Joey after all,’ Hilary burst into … Continued
A Wedding, Part 3: Puffy Pink Sleeves
By Claudia Collins. A Wedding in a Small Country Town Part 3: Puffy Pink Sleeves Bronwyn’s father and her stepmother had taken her on a trip to the UK and Europe to celebrate her getting her HSC. It had also … Continued