A Presentiment

Fragment of the First Presentiment

...........the scented saints are broken
Red is the colour of their feet
Black is the colour of their eyes
Smashed and left to the memory of frogs

Flowers shall grow through the hearts of men and women
Bringing blood into their mouths
Running toward the sun they will blind themselves deliberately

And fish shall jump from the water
Hiding with their shining bodies
Stones the children try to swallow
to stop themselves shouting in a new language

The flesh of the body will be like a prison
Mice will bring a message
Another rhythm in their curling fingers
Shakes the dice that cast the future.

Sydney 1984 A.H.