Brisbane - Australia Poem by Brooke Renwick

Thousands of megalitres
of silted tidal surge flow in / out
between the forested mountains
and the protected bay of islands.

Old brown stained rock walls
still hold the river banks today.
Tribute to the labor of once
wearied, hungry convicts!

The river once carried wooden
sailing ships delivering supplies
to isolated families gambling
and a new life in a new home.

As the river flowed then the
Jagera and Turrbal people -
descended from the dreamtime -
danced and told stories.

The upper river - wallabies,
koalas, goannas, lush forest.
At the mouth - kangaroos,
flathead, casuarina trees.

Now I cross the river in
fibre glass ferries.
I go shopping in an engineered,
concrete labyrinth.

I have coffee in a quite cafe,
near the river on the weekend.
I cross paths with thousands
from diverse backgrounds.