A gray headband
A pair of boys 4T underwear
(Transformers)
Loreal Professional shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair
brand new, full-size, barely used. Fuck.
Strawberry jam
milk
eggs
¼ loaf of bread
a full package of bad Italian coffee
two tubs of margarine
the first made with olive oil, no cholesterol or trans fats, used three times
the second artery-clogging cheap store brand, lesson learned
A pink iPod Touch
slipped unseen
from the pocket of a hoodie
onto a green vinyl train seat
somewhere between Parramatta and Seven Hills
The tears of a young girl
spotting her mother's t-shirt
Rocking, rocking back and forth
There is no solace for a child
who was just about to invade
Old MacDonald's place
on Zombie Farm.
“Can we call the train, Mommy?
Someone must have found it.”
Lessons learned, so young.
A homes magazine
Blue Mountains
glossy photos
dreams for sale
A broken shoe
tossed in a hotel bin
Sleep, uninterrupted
Night after night
What it is to relax
so deeply
had been forgotten
What a gift
Hopes
whispered in the night
to oneself
Dreams of staying
wishful thinking
A pair of boys 4T underwear
(Transformers)
Loreal Professional shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair
brand new, full-size, barely used. Fuck.
Strawberry jam
milk
eggs
¼ loaf of bread
a full package of bad Italian coffee
two tubs of margarine
the first made with olive oil, no cholesterol or trans fats, used three times
the second artery-clogging cheap store brand, lesson learned
A pink iPod Touch
slipped unseen
from the pocket of a hoodie
onto a green vinyl train seat
somewhere between Parramatta and Seven Hills
The tears of a young girl
spotting her mother's t-shirt
Rocking, rocking back and forth
There is no solace for a child
who was just about to invade
Old MacDonald's place
on Zombie Farm.
“Can we call the train, Mommy?
Someone must have found it.”
Lessons learned, so young.
A homes magazine
Blue Mountains
glossy photos
dreams for sale
A broken shoe
tossed in a hotel bin
Sleep, uninterrupted
Night after night
What it is to relax
so deeply
had been forgotten
What a gift
Hopes
whispered in the night
to oneself
Dreams of staying
wishful thinking

Oh Kristin...
ReplyDeletejust a really big hug.
and it's not enough.
not nearly enough.
You left wonderful warm memories of you and your kids here with us too..
ReplyDeleteMay you be safely back with us soon..
From my lips to the universe's ear
And lots of hearts filled with the wonder of meeting you Kristin, just as beautiful in real life as in cyberspace.
ReplyDeleteI like what Mary said - from my lips to the universe's ear - be back here soon.
xxx
Ah... what ifs, if onlys, can't we justs... all journeys are made of these.
ReplyDeleteOh god, it breaks my heart that you have to go back - I hardly know you, just your writing and one quick 'hello' at ausblogcon - but I would hide you in my attic if I thought it would work!!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a return trip very soon...
xxxCate
ahh our trains are old!
ReplyDeleteOH darling, I wish we could have put our collective arms around you and your kittens and kept you here safe. But we're still all behind you, Your Army, waiting to do whatever it is you need! Loads of Aussie love xo
ReplyDeleteYou are all three in my thoughts. x
ReplyDeleteOh and do I spy the blue mountains now in your header photos?? Beautiful place indeed.
ReplyDeleteHope you all get back to Zombie Farm and restful nights soon xox
ReplyDeleteHey it would be cool if you live in the Blue mountains because one day we will be there too.
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say. I hope one day you can call Sydney home. x
I didnt get to meet you at ABC ( because i wasnt there, so sad for me ) and i havent been following you for long but... i'm sending you and your children all the good vibes i can muster. I hope they help keep you safe when you get home, and i hope they help you make it back to your dream home in the Blue Mountains!
ReplyDeleteOh mate I can *imagine* how deeply the loss if that pink iPod touch is felt! Poor little sweetheart! xox
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautifully written, its heartbreaking xox
ReplyDeleteYou're words are always weaved with magic, and never fail to give me goosebumps. I pray we get you all back here soon for some of those deeply refreshing uninterrupted nights sleep xx
ReplyDeleteYou also left behind your international adapter! Miss you and see you soon xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, as always, even in the pain and the what if's and the yearnings.
ReplyDeleteHow I so deeply wish you could stay in the country that so nurtures you and gives you such returns. There's more of it, waiting for you and your dear children. I so hope the universe comes through.
Your photo brought back childhood memories as I grew up in the Blue Mountains. I know that station, and I know those trains so well. I used to catch a train just like that to and from primary school every day, and as a teen, those trains took me on shopping adventures, to meet boys and as an 18/19 year old, out to clubs in the city.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a beautiful place to live your post has made me realise how much I took it for granted when it was my home.
I hope your dreams come true, that you come back, and one day you can call it your home too.
on the first look I thought it would be a balanced rhythmic poem but anyway..haha!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you concluded it...
Hopes
whispered in the night
to oneself
Dreams of staying
wishful thinking
Really beautiful :)