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Marilyn Humbert

Emus

From our camp near stands of red river gums, their exposed roots hugging the Darling River banks, we look across Ross’s Billabong.  A dry depression in almost flat landscape, filled with saltbush, bluebush and tussock grass in grey clay.

In fading light they move towards us, emus and chicks. I count 3 large males and 20 chicks of varying sizes.

They see us. Taking fright, feathers flouncing with each leg-long step as they vanish among lengthening shadows, youngsters close behind.

darling river camp
across the floodplain
the male herds
his hatchling to safety
we hug, the first star rises

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About the Author

Marilyn Humbert lives in the Northern suburbs of Sydney NSW Australia. Her tanka and haiku appear in international and Australian journals, anthologies, and online. Her free-verse poems have been awarded prizes in competitions, published online and in anthologies.