Lyn Reeves
Spilled Ink
The cherry tomatoes are about-to-burst red bubbles in a seethe of hairy leaves. The garden’s intricacies conceal a horde of famished rats. They find the pickings good. A sudden gale fells a branch that crashes onto the cubby house. I gather all the children to me and my arms are long enough to enfold them. I mustn’t let them stumble into the deep lake opening wider than a scream. A man comes giving orders and demanding food but complains that nothing is good enough. I send him away, tell him he’s not welcome here. Sky darkens blacker than an inkwell. Spills over the pages of unfinished poems and obliterates the scratchings rodents made in dust on top of the wardrobe. In the early morning drizzle I can’t read their messages.
all night wind rattling the doors of dreams
About the Author
Lyn Reeves lives in Tasmania near a beach south-east of Hobart. Her haiku collection, Field of Stars, was shortlisted for the prestigious Arts Tasmania Poetry Prize, 2022. Lyn recently retired from her roles as co- editor, Echidna Tracks: Australian Haiku, and vice president, Australian Haiku Society, to spend more time writing, making photographs, and walking with her little white dog.