by Marilyn Humbert

The limestone outcrops
at Chillagoe urge us
to wander the caves
before night
herds the lost stars
into constellations.

On the descent
cold coils around us,
your hand the lifeline
steadying my course.
Our boots grind rubble
scattering bones
on the cavern floor,
the glimmers in torchlight.

Beneath the weight of rock
in the mountain’s heart
we breathe stale air
try to recall the sun’s warmth
all around footsteps echo…
a scrabbling beyond sight,
the shadows.
I stop.

You coax me forward
our fingers entwine
until we emerge
beneath a zillion stars.

• Chillagoe-Mungana Caves
  National Park, QLD