by Jeannie Haughton

the shortest day
stretches the longest shadows
the width of a ploughed paddock

tree canopies and wheat horizons

forecast – two more days of rain
dashes to clammy public toilets
hastening our push for the north

puffer jackets saturate quickly

vacant shops on small-town main streets
locals cluster in white sliced bakeries
biblical- the aroma of baking bread

and yet we take away the worst coffee

5 Chain Rd a few sheep on the long paddock
reflections on the patchwork tarmac
only we could do without the rain

the paddocks guzzle water like marathon runners

panoramic solitude long easy breathing

far-distant gold: bikers easy-riding the canola