Jonathan Dunk - Orpheus

[speculumannorum]

vaguely obligated i filled the forms &

scratched your name on the ceremonial sherd –

an old-fashioned branch – & fed it to

the lukewarm slot. the bulb in the waitingroom

wavered across overalls & children with a birthday cake

the man beside me wore a clip-on tie & trembled

i don’t know long, not sure the clock worked can’t

read analogue i rolled a cigarette & thought the summer

you in your threadstore dress the blue the stars that dappled

their feet in waxing dusk standing i fumbled for a match

(Meanjin Winter 2019)