“south of the equator”

arqios

 

In his stanzas, drought has a patient voice,
and flood remembers the laughter it took;
the Southern Cross tilts above kitchen sinks,
over rainwater tanks and
the red‑earthed ache of distance.

 

He speaks in more than one tongue at once—
colonial clocks, ancestral winds,
digital solitude tymballing cicadas
in the heat between two gum shadows.

 

Each poem is a map the north never drew,
where grief leans against corrugated walls,
love tastes of river‑mint and dust,
and history carries a sunburn no winter can cure.

 

Here, at the Antipodes, his ink runs inland and outward,
a tide that answers only to the moon it knows—
southern, salt‑white,
pulling every word toward home.

 

 

 

 

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Comments +

Comments8

  • sorenbarrett

    Cryptic your poems have grown and matured or was I blind before. This last several have been quite impressive. Very nicely done and a fave

    • arqios

      Oh I wish! But your kind words are a good indication that we’re in the playing field. Thanks as always, Soren. 🕊️🙏🏻
      Rik

      • sorenbarrett

        Most welcome

      • Fína Elara 🌙 Petra Patrice

        This is powerful I love how nature, history, and identity are woven together. The personification of drought and flood really stood out, and the imagery of river-mint and dust gave such a strong sense of place. Beautifully written.

        • arqios

          Thank you for this much valued, well thought out and tastefully considered review. 🕊️🙏🏻

          • arqios

          • Thomas W Case

            Superb

            • arqios

              Thanks, Thomas. Much appreciated.

            • Doggerel Dave

              Lawson? Banjo? Do I have to guess? Never mind - there are enough images I can identify (with?) to more than satisfy.

              • arqios

                Dave? these days upover... not downunder

              • Kevin Hulme

                I feel a lot of the Films made in Australia in your words : 'Walkabout' springs to mind. Very descriptive. And shows your Love of your Country.
                Enjoyable Read.

                • arqios

                  It must be all that open space and fresh air in the great outdoors....

                • Tristan Robert Lange

                  Wow, this is immense. From the Southern Cross above the sinks to the tide answering its own moon, every image maps grief, love, and history in a way only you could write. Beautifully done, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏 Seriously, love this and an easy fave from me.

                  • arqios

                    Thanks Tittu, a heartfelt appreciation from this end.

                    • Tristan Robert Lange

                      You are most welcome, dear friend!

                      • arqios

                        😃

                      • Goldfinch60

                        Wonderful words Rik bringing all types of poetry to mind.

                        Andy

                        • arqios

                          Thanks Andy

                        • Tom Dylan

                          Love the feel of this poem. A fine write. Nicely done.

                          • arqios

                            Thanks Tom, that's really great to know. Most appreciated dear friend.



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