My Santiago

Gathering for Play July 2009 Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Queensland

They gather for play, Everyday! Al Fresco tables and chairs, Under sailcloth festooned with bougainvillea, In this rustic, sometimes tawdry, setting. They drink their coffee and eat their muffins, Bought at the discounted price From the Settlers Inn, And create conversations, Spawned from this morning’s Bulletin! About arthritis, aches, backaches and broken bones, Carers and confusion and conduits to children, Now long gone. About dalliances (beautiful memories), And devil-may-care attitudes, Exercise and exorcisms, Friendships and fornications!

And growing old with grace!

About high heels and Hells Angels (in their youth) Indigo gowns and irresistible informalities,

Jousting with kindred spirits, Loving and leaving behind, With no regrets!

About machismo, Now dormant, almost the Yin to that indestructible Yang, Never more to be offered up on Youth’s immortal altar.

And perhaps, Quixotic though it may seem,

Reality and age do lead to shifts. Prompting them to trust and share As they become wiser and less sure About their place... In this world!

Unusually vocal they seem to me, Ill-fitting in their worn-out faces, Their sagging outer layer, Their skin pouch,