Wendy Fleming

Later, in moonlight, the tree will shock the window

massed white on glass. Now, I clear breakfast

dishes, wipe down the sink, over the bench

around the tap, then watch the blackbird

mouth filled with dried grasses, slip into the tree

through clusters of pink, white and green crab apple,

my mother’s tea cup, lace edged hanky, an altar cloth.

I remember being here last year, the same scene

All Saints Day, All Souls Day and then as now

felt the timeliness of all that’s gone before

how the position of the sun changes.

That the blackbird will complete her nest, raise hatchlings.

The tree bathes in full sun. I rinse the cloth and finish.

Wendy Fleming, descendant of Irish immigrants, the first of whom arrived in Melbourne in 1838, was born in Melbourne, grew up in the Mallee. For most of her life she has  lived in Melbourne and currently lives in Bundoora. Her poetry has been widely anthologised and in May this year her first poetry book Backyard Lemon was published by MPU and launched by Kevin Brophy. Current treasurer of Melbourne Poets Union, she has served in all committee positions including President. She is also co-convenor of Poets @ Watsonia, a branch of Melbourne Poets Union.