I am from a Great Southern Land. I am from the Southern Cross and a blazing Milky Way. I am from brilliant blue skies and a light so bright that it hurts your eyes. I am from a dry hot day with the tang of burning eucalyptus in the air, and the pall of white smoke in the distance. I am from a southerly buster that whirls up the canyons of the city after a stifling hot day.
I am from running laughing through a drenching rain that soaks to the skin. I am from a ferry plunging through the rolling waves at the Sydney Heads. I am from a tinnie meandering past the sandstone cliffs along the tiny river beaches of the Hawkesbury and running aground. I am from being dumped by the surf and holding my breath wondering which way to get to the surface again. I am from diving under that first wave, waist deep, willing myself to ignore the bracing cold until the cool salty water feels right on my skin.
I am from piling as many bodies as possible into the seat on the train home. I am from greedily peeling the prawns with my fingers to get the best bit of the meat. I am from scooping the pipis at the river in enormous handfuls. I am from cherries at Christmas time, and juicy nectarines oozing down my chin.
I am from sitting in the dark around a campfire, singing rounds and telling ghost stories. I am from watching the moon rise over the ocean and make a pearly road leading out into the twilight sea. I am from peeling skin on my shoulders after a day at the beach.
I am from bits of string saved just in case they’re useful. From beautiful furniture saved from the scrap heap. From not throwing anything out just in case it could be fixed with a bit of effort. From cherishing objects that say something about our family’s life.
I am from curling up with a book in front of the heater. From stretching out with a book in the winter sun in the backyard. I am from reading every word I can see addictively. I am from talking all night until the newspaper lands with a thump on the lawn and talking some more about the world.
Where are you from?
(with thanks to Charlotte)
Nicely said. Beautiful
I love the way your “I am from” is all about the sea and the sky – something about coming from a great southern land does that. I think your description of the moon rising and the “pearly road” is just beautiful. Now, I know about the cherries and the nectarines, but what are pipis?
Thanks! Interestingly both the moon rising and the pips (which are bivalve shellfish) are from my summer holidays in New Zealand where my dad grew up – perhaps New Zealand has a higher place in my heart than I thought.
This was fascinating. And beautiful.