Protea (September)

The ocean, horizon-blue, green at the reef, white against it. Ocean, that brought wobbly pods from ancient Africa. They speckled and spread over centuries, September through September, the continent’s western coastlines: precious facts. Their tough terms and learnt leaves raised cups of furry fires. They were here to stay. Those we see here were imports, brought east by nurserymen’s ambitions. They make solitary companions, take the heat, wait for the cool change. The sun beat down on ancient Australia, as it beats this day of days on Wye River. Sun will put these fires out, turn their flesh factual brown.