Bending together and crossing over
two as ancient as their rings
imaging communion.

Synergistically they sing
louder than
the cockatoo ...
a sweeter dew.

Peeling off
their yearly coat
they celebrate their wrinkled skin.

Branching up
their wing tips kiss
entrammelling the heat
and consummating cool
around their feet.

They bear the brunt of elements
of fire and wind
of sun and rain
yet gifting love
within the pain
of temporal things ...

because
their image sings
inspiring thoughts of what it took
to bend and grow
and publicise
an Aussie
love filled look.

(Winner of the 2020 GCWA Anthology compeitition)
© J K Phillips