my poem from 1983: Halcyon Street, Cessnock, NSW

Halcyon Street Cessnock New South Wales 1983


the houses in Halcyon Street
are made of old wood.

in summer the tin roofs warp up into the sun.

children play here and there

in their safe yards

or in their safe streets

or in the safe yards of others.

Halcyon Street is quiet by night.

The miners hold the miners' wives

and love them

or beat them

or manage between.


even by day

the street is quiet.

the miners are mining the dark

and the wives are mute.

it is only the children

playing here and there

in their yards

in their streets

or in the yards of others

that make a sound.