COMFORT
In a country town
Traffic wanders
Locals stop to talk
Others patiently wait behind
Road rage foreign
To those used to waiting
For the seasons to change
The rains to come
What’s not done to-day
Can be fitted in to-morrow
Unless it’s harvesting
Or bailing the hay
Holidays a distant memory
Like overflowing dams
And tall green grass
Growing wool on the sheep’s back
Nothing changes for ever
Droughts come and go
Relationships endure
But children wander in and out
There’s a comfort in sameness
In knowing your neighbours
Practising tolerance and acceptance
Living together through it all
Communication’s the key
But that’s not new
It doesn’t matter really
If it’s by email, phone or fax
We could all go back to the future
And visit those who live near
Spend a little time together
Over a cup of tea and good cheer
Does it really matter
They know you like opera
That your cds in the tractor
Include Pavarotti and Sutherland?
Or your aunt Mary
Who makes divine scones
Has a heart as big as her behind
But farts with every step
I’ve not done anything
That’s killed me - yet
Although I’ve been close
On a few occasions
But as they say,
Ad nauseum
What doesn’t kill you
Makes you stronger
Sitting across from you
I live my life with ease
Knowing I’m strong enough
How about you? Are you tough?
L. Berry © 2007
