Almanac Poetry: ‘High on the low down in Wonthaggi (even though I have to jump), reprise’

 

High on the low down in Wonthaggi

(even though I have to jump), reprise

 

in these streets

they still play end to end

and three goals in

 

the old mine siren sounds

at midday, every day,

as though the shift will come up

 

one coaled nationality

 

the sea filled shafts on overflow

tomorrow’s cars on nature strips

turbine shadows calling time

 

sand dunes bleat for patience

turned over bellies sun up

fine ground as bone and promise

 

the shoreline recess no compromise

 

the thud of the footy landed

a yell of the mark taken

a Macedonian’s freak goal

 

I ask the Malaysian guy

for the correct pronunciation

of Number Four

 

he laughs with me and says, Number Four

 

putting down the Singapore noodles

the Sherrin’s in my hands to pass

the Sudanese kid seems eight foot tall

 

probably twelve years old

 

I do my famous stab drop kick pass

he jabs it through the pencil pines

one kid says not fair

 

well, a high five’s only got one translation

(even though I have to jump)

 

 

More from James Walton can be read Here.

 

 

 

More poetry from Almanac Poetry can be read HERE

 

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