i buy George Barker

on flinders street

and study the pink/blue cover

in the half-dark. but
thinking of you,

not the cover, &

then mixing them up,

regardless …
George is standing

or leaning

into the light, a fag

in hand,
not really smiling

or trying to be any-

thing but being 'him-

self'.
i'm reminded of you,

that natural cool.

i'd like to be like that.

like 'you'
'the you holding the letter,'

that's what you said,

George knows it,

i know it, & you
said it. melbourne is

terrific, lots of gardens & parks,

beautiful at night, & especially

i like the river.