Australian Winter

Up through the ashes you rose

Leaving her forever purer than before

All of her goodness enclosed

With an ever-burning red volcanic glow

From your honest eyes, I stole

And I've forsaken you, and I amount to nothing

Still up these rivers we'll row

Far away along, fish in flow forever

I fly around the earth

Fluttering along, humming like a swallow

I sing their long eyes to sleep

But their applause leaves me blank and hollow

The ocean beneath me is loneliness

The cities all are one,

Repeating and repeating

The haunted rustling of leaves

Screeching 'cross the porch,

Raindrops pluck the windows

I pull myself underneath

Her warm soft blankets

This Australian winter