by JANE DOWNING
Water arcs out from the river’s boat ramp
the fire truck discharging its autumn tank
Angled up, the hose shoots the water high
falls: a torrent of stallions with misty manes
A perfect parabola joins the banks
shoots across the Murray’s sluggish flow
Cyclists pause in homage to bushfire season’s last
the thrum of the engine quickening to the end
The hose flourishes one final spit as it is uncoupled
the shadow patter of last drops drown
Impermanent ripples on the slow day fade
leaving the ghost of a rainbow to arc the sky
– Murray River, Albury, NSW