It’s 2056 and Darwin still doesn’t have its promised hoverport…

24 September 2013

Coming Soon 
A short story written by Sophie Constable. 
This is a preview. 

Sophie Constable attended ‘Planting the Seed’, four writing sessions held in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. She wrote this short story inspired by the rainforest section of the gardens. Sophie is a member of the Northern Territory Writers Centre.

It’s 2056 and Darwin still doesn’t have its promised hoverport…

It’s 2056 and Darwin still doesn’t have its promised hoverport, I thought. Fancy having to transit from a seaplane to a 4WD. 

The seaplane arced over the harbor basin before sinking its belly into the waves. I took in the occasional wooden fishing prow, the derelict apartment buildings above the cliffs as we taxied. Quite the change of scene after the Singapore summit: yesterday I’d been cheering the new Pan-Asian President and today… but you can’t ignore a prime directive from Director Adachi. I grabbed my kit.

African trees

20 September 2013

This morning was the second of four en plein air writing sessions, Planting the Seed, in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. We are meeting under the George Brown Eco House which is in the Snakebean Community Gardens near the Orientation Centre, Geranium Street entrance. We start at 7.30am walk to a writing space, tomorrow the rainforest and write for half an hour then share our writing with the group. Bring a light chair for real comfort. Afterwards there is a possibility of tea or coffee. It is free. Everyone welcome. Ring or text me if you have any questions 0439 990 862.

Today we met in the African baobab collection, a dry part of the gardens.

African trees

 I have to stop trying to remember

 The poem I forgot

 And concentrate on now,

 This ‘dry spot’ set aside for African trees.

 A dusty rust-coloured road cuts past

 But the grass is damp straw,

 Not lush, but not arid either.

 African trees would dream of a place like this,

 Hurl their seed at the boats

 And hope they’re coming here.

 I wonder if they would let a Boab

 Grow in a detention centre?

 Dr Seuss must have travelled

 To Madagascar –

I’m sure the fox in sox

 Flew past trees

 Just like these.

 I’ve lost the poem I woke with.

 It was perfect,

 As dreams often are,

 Written and mentally edited,

 Polished between thoughts of moving house and lists,

 Big things I need to buy

 (Fridge, washing machine, couch)

 And weekend plans to drive 600 kilometres

 Instead of packing,

 To spend a weekend amongst women.

 With Abbott at the helm it feels subversive -

 Maybe that's what my poem was about?

Kaye Hall

bare branches except for a bird

baobab water filled trunk

green ants nest

the baobab plus poets

Helen using a tree for back rest

the fallen

en plein air

19 September 2013

 

This morning was the first of four en plein air writing sessions, Planting the Seed. The idea is to begin writing, a poem, prose to begin the process and see what grows. The sessions are held in the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens as part of my residency. We are meeting under the George Brown Eco House which is in the Snakebean Community Gardens near the Orientation Centre, Geranium Street entrance. We start at 7.30am, walk to a writing spot and write for half an hour then share our writing with the group. Afterwards there is a possibility of tea or coffee. An opportunity to share a writing experience. It is free. Everyone welcome.

This morning we began in the monkey bean trees.

en plein air

Before work and life and busyness of day five women write.

I listen

the man and lawn mower must be aware

I know there are places he must not go

asbestos fibres lie in wait

if disturbed will begin

their own mow down work

a jet comes here

goes there

goes somewhere

traffic roars like a flooded river

sprinklers sprink

making rain

birds call

too many to name

I know you don’t want a list

the shopping is enough

I listen

seasonal drought

unhooks leaves

a spider blinks

water pumps

from root to leaf

shade captures fallen light