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Southern farmlet, barren to begin
sees a passion for fertility
released. New owner's wife
delights in the soil's embrace
compost is hand fed
seedlings gently bedded
and bushes transplanted
into a tapestry garden.
Animals start breeding
outside the fenced square.
Blossom the pet sheep
ever the rebel defies
the wooden hurdle
goes for Olympic gold
lands inside
devour perennials
munch exotics
to anorexic stalks.
A guilty reverse leap
on gardener's return
doesn't prevent rage
driving the ute to
the local butcher where
Blossom is despatched
to ethereal pastures.
Butcher months later
wonders why a favoured
customer seems lost forever
to his carnivorous trade.

MOMENT

Sky dancing pigeons
freed from their hillside cages
arrow across the valley.
Lead bird suddenly
choreographs a cloud dance
that stops the breath
of old Joe below
a grounded nomad
teased by open roads
that haunt his night dreams.
The aerial stage empties
Joe's blood' quickens.
He hurries inside and dials
up the House of Travel
but then his hand pauses
replaces the receiver.
He's running late now
to make his daily
meals on wheels run.

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