a lone currawong wakes before dawn
its plaintive notes piercing the velvet darkness
tentative chirping ushers in the new day
pigeons sit in tidy lines on roof tops and eaves
native grevillea quivers with lorikeets
cascades of jasmine and bougainvillea spill over fences
concealing cracks and flakes of disrepair
cats drape lazily on walls and garden chairs
surveying the world through slitted eyes
dogs dance unleashed on new grass
suburban gardens bustle
rainbow colours replace the winter drab
green shoots struggle through leaf-strewn earth
slugs and snails slither
in anticipation of succulent greenery
people sprawl on seats, eyes closed
gentle breezes annointing their lunch
with suburban dust
a sudden shower dispels the grime
dreams of warmth and new beginnings
hang gently in lightly perfumed air
white-crested cockatoos ride the current
underbellies glinting in the setting sun
as they screech their farewell to the day

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