under a bushfire sun

tumbled in love

for a moment

with a footprint in the sand

sharp big-toe

like a spade, a trowel

I thought

of salt-touselled hair

a broad board

under sun-brown arms

light shining from

sea spray

running past

her trapped wing

half buried

desperate, poignant

flying here

smoke-choked

feather-singed

to die

 

Photo: Claire Doble