Midwinter Birthday From where we stand those Hokusai claws assault the headlands. Each time in the collapse there is mess—the smashed white, the shattering of glass. Spray, spume, foam. A pause, and then again. And this, inexhaustible. As too, here, just beyond our feet, sidling as if coming to be fed, wine-clear, this water, ripples in its lithe, almost reptilian skin, and fattening, gathers depth before breaking, a slow-falling over in sods, folding smooth-faced, as by a plough— and slides back into itself beneath a night-sky brilliance of sequin-glitter. Caul-laced and delicate, laundry-clean, with little rucks like…
Subscribe to get access to all online articles
Already a member?
Sign in to read this article
Digital Subscription
$98 / YR
Get the latest ideas from Australia’s most insightful writers.
- Digital Subscription includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
Printed & Digital Subscription
$118 / YR
For avid readers of leading ideas
from Australia’s brightest.
- Printed & Digital Subscription includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- Quadrant Patron includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- All new editions of Quadrant Books
- Exclusive invitations to Quadrant Dinners, book launches and events.
- Quadrant Patron includes
- Online editions of Quadrant Magazine
- Printed editions of Quadrant Magazine
- iPad ready PDF
- Access to Quadrant Archives
- All new editions of Quadrant Books
- Exclusive invitations to Quadrant Dinners, book launches and events.