The Love Song of Burke and Wills

 

and then at sunset

stars seeded from the sands’ fire

shot to bloom across the sky

 

underfoot, the desert whispered

now I stir, now I strike

like yesterday

 

one foot, two foot

now a kangaroo foot

hop to the left, there’s a light

 

gone past

 

and God sang lullabies
hush, the thirst

hush, the dry skin crackling against

swollen tongue

shhh

 

God said

I am in your head

cut it off

cut it out

come to me

 

chasm lips, the lizards seek

a resting place

erase yourself

bleach

and be clean

 

wind folds breath into dust

bones dance clear of flesh

and morning brings rain