by Andrew Hede

gentle winter breeze ~
bees flutter among blossoms
of golden wattle
a faint scent of nectar
a soft sound of buzzing ~
I reflect on the grandeur
of planet earth

a hidden grove
of seven scribbly gums ~
silent sentinels
guarding a memorial
stack of nine grey stones ~
a hand-carved crucifix
prompts deep reflection

remote bush track ~
a wallaby lifts its head
while I sneak by
a flock of black cockatoos
squawk through gum trees ~
I gaze up in wonder
and trip on a fallen branch

overgrown track ~
grevillea branches
block my path
a sticky spiderweb
wraps around my face ~
as I struggle to clear it
fear turns to panic

• Berowra Valley National Park, NSW