My fondest memory of my mother is standing by her side while she dressed for special occasions. The space between her and myself, is where I came of age.
My mother’s dresser had three large mirrors so she could view her profile. She never walked away from it until she was satisfied. A light touch of make up, jewellery, (always real jewellery), her hair a low chignon. Her back was straight, her shoulders relaxed. A light spray of perfume. She was ready for the world. With one final look, she would say with conviction, “make-up should enhance, not detract”. I would watch her walk out the door in awe.
The message of my mother’s lecture still makes sense.
Would a plain cockatoo look as spectacular?
Until next time,
As always,
a dawn bird
I take roads less travelled.
I seek illumination in trees.
I find life where there should be none.
And find a blade of grass, is worth my scrutiny.
Breathe in. Breathe out. My senses now acute.
There is someone having breakfast above me. I move my lens away from the remnants cast aside carelessly.
On the other side, the rhythmic thump on dry leaves tells me there’s a grey kangaroo in there. Somewhere.
I close my eyes. I hear the sea in the Marri tree tops. This, in deep Wheatbelt country.
The tops are crowned with flowers, with some blossoms hanging low, like fruit of the vine.
And, that’s when I saw her. She looked bewildered at my presence.
But not as bewildered as me, to find a shiny bauble in this bush country.
Calm.
Focused.
Joyful.
Photobombers!
Indifferent.
Brave.
Breathtaking!
He steadied himself, then walked down the stairs. His dreadlocks streaming behind him, like kelp.
He faced the ocean. This, Poseidon.
They are almost always in a flock or at least a pair or two. I’ve watched them for hours and have never observed conflict. They seem to know, there is plenty of food for all.
They go about their life, without a backward glance at raptors. They live mindfully, in the here and now.
They are curious about the new.
Stop long enough to look at the world around them.
They are relaxed, and focused, when they observe.
And, yes, these energetic, beautiful little birds do take time to rest.
As well as a mother knows her chick.
Birds often pair for life, each the beloved of the other.
Two walk as one. Well, almost.
Others huddle close together to appear as one … to large predatory raptors.
Have you seen dragonflies mate? In a word, violently. Finding a beloved, they end the battle, in heart-shaped unity.
On weekends, kayaks rest side by side signalling, the beloveds are nearby.
Yes, to be loved and beloved, is in our nature.
A Shared Space 
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