spring school holidays...

spring
school holidays

time to visit
some special places

Coolart wetlands

where ibis and other water birds
gather
to nest

from the bird hide
in early morning
alone
I watch the hive
of spring
activate

frantic jostling
on a tiny island for space
tug-o-war with twigs and small branches
a dance or two
or three 
in some cases

wide wings
commanding
attention
or just
commanding

to one side
two share
a private
close
moment

and then there is one
who prefers to watch
from another island
high on a tree branch

happy to be

alone

like me


on a spring morning

it was the usual...

it was the usual
too much to do
too little time
kind of Friday

lots of rocky shapes to negotiate

or it appeared to be at 8:00am

but by 9:30am
something small
but something special
just happened

a student
(a Year 10 student no less)

while he waited the long wait
for the school network to load on his computer
and I was drifting 
doing the usual rounds of
get thinking
get creating
sing song

told me to hold out my hands
cupped

I was still not quite into the roll/role of reality
so did as asked

he told me to close my eyes
and not peek

I closed my eyes

and then
I felt 
wrappers in my hands

something you'll like miss
to get you through the day

the eyes 
my eyes
popped open
and there were 
sweets
coffee sweets
tiny
wrapped
coffee delights

o so appealing

he smiled at my surprise
now don't munch them in class
he said
with a wicked grin

humbly 
quietly
I thanked him

if only students knew
how a day can be so changed
with a little kindness
and thoughtfulness

those rocky shapes
intimidating an hour ago
now sparkled

my Friday became
a day of beauty

that still lingers