Acorns ago when I was a boy
as full of sap as empty of sense
we lived in an outer suburban house
redgum posts grey paling fence.
Outside the kitchen a gully trap
Mr Hill’s rotary ruled the yard
spidery shed, bolted vegetables
housekeeper Wilsie fried with lard.
Mother worked to keep us afloat
I’d pedal half to school, return
spend the day high in the treehut
Phantom comics, much to learn.
Others had fathers, went to matches
1 had free rein, Gardy Creek to explore
Sally the mongrel, kind Phil the postie
could any Glennie boy ask for more?
Today that outer suburb is inner
Joffa Jukes, Mrs Darbyshire … all dead
Gardiner’s Creek runs in pipes
and the G.I. blues in my head.