Cecile in Redfern Park

Have you

gone from

Redfern Park?

Left the dogs that try

to bite the spouting water

among the high rising lotuses

the boab tree imported

with a smile in its trunk

and a tubby shadow

deserted the trembly-footed

tai chi class

between the Long Hall

and the Rabbitohs’ pavilion

the halooing boys astride

the rusty aircraft gun

at the western portal,

the sad face

of Memory stooped

over the honour roll

at the eastern entrance

forgotten the sudden smell

of onion grass

crushed as unaware thighs

plump down

on sandstone benches

Have you gone?

Not yet

and maybe never.

Catherine Skipper