for M., asylum seeker and friend,
who attempted to take his own life at
North West Point Detention Centre
Christmas Island, in 2011.
The act is simple enough
remove lid from bottle
pour into plastic cup
pour like rain at midnight
a river’s sheen by firelight
your childhood framed in puddles
like a dream
the liquid claims light like
a jungle newly varnished
bright fishing boats in moonlight, until
ocean deep with dawn
like a prayer
lift the vessel high
to all you’ve ever known
close those eyes
to lovers and glances
music and dancers
beautiful hunger
shiver of sky
and in that moment
when rim meets
your mouth
relinquish
outstretched arms, eyes
of nieces
pull of letters
ropes of hope
your own face
then swallow
there will be searing
like villages blazing, cities
burning, plumes from boats
wire and want
ablaze
gulp
at new dark freedom
promise of oblivion, after pain
when this world sways
leave the afterglow
without your name.
Shortlisted for the ACU Prize for Literature