79. Mimmalisa's 'Escape' invites Neen Ramos to the Garden

 

Escape 

from the frantic pace

family friction

pressure to perform

freedom from festivities

I plonk myself

on the edge of clarity

the coursing creek converses

with exuberant birds in the distance

the wind awakens the gums

the leaves sway in response

passersby oblivious to the call

a moment held

within the trunks

limbs suspended over passing time

curved up towards the sun

blue sky ahead

grey heron lands

near the makeshift basalt bridge

of stepping stones

Heading to the South

the water continues to the bay

its persistent motion

defined by obstacles in its path

snaking its way down and around

through this small stretch

slap bang in the middle 

of inner west Melbourne

75. Tu me manques ici (by Catherin J Pascal Dunk)

 For Jessica Perini, inviting her to the Garden

You’re present
in my yarden—
in the Egyptian-walking-garlic
raised beds;
in the overblown bug-heaven
buddleia.

Tu me manques ici
where you can never
be; but we’re twined in plants,
in the random
stabs of cuttings, in
never missing

that moment to plant
a seed that may unfurl
in wild, fruitful ways.
In the teddy-bear sunflower,
in bee-bound borage,
in Coriandrum gargantuum.

34. Sophia Wilson's 'The Lady of Leser-Trélat' - inviting D.G Lloyd into the garden

 

The Lady of Leser-Trélat

hangs above me 

message 

or bridge

muscular yet withered 

in her yogic pose

a tatoo of bark and dirt

face hidden, history a riddle

whorls and spirals 

blood and light sacs

aware of

but indifferent to 

an uncompromising horizon

a painted lady, warped mirror

in which the flurry of dirt flecking my torso

appears ominous

I falter, neither fearless, nor indifferent

tender trunks of loved ones, dependant saplings

roots still in development

claim me indispensible to the future of their forest

the line between here, and gone

bridge or rubble

no simple brushstroke

( The sign of Leser-Trélat: a sudden eruption of skin lesions associated with advanced internal malignancy.)