Waiting on the porch,

we watched you

explode from the back door of the station wagon –

hibiscus, frangipani, bougainvillea,

mud crab, salt crust

crumpled, golden,

smiling 
joyful at reaching us

at last.
We sent shy smiles

breezes through eucalypts.

Bark-soft arms and slender fingers slipped through yours

led you through the bindi-eyed yard;

wondered at your energy

contentedly
shared our secrets

with yours.

Showed our still waters filled with yellow belly,

our circling birds and our never-ending skies

until you left
hands shouting from the windows,

noise, dust and exhaust fumes trailing your farewell

in a dusty slurry.
We greeted

the oppression of your departure

throats hurting

in silence
just us

again.