Poem: Silent Sentinels
Books & Poetry
The sometimes old, sometimes empty, winter-toned houses on Phillip Island facing Bass Strait are the subject of today’s Poet’s Corner contribution from Junette Schoell.
Silent Sentinels
Silent houses
shoulder to shoulder stand,
sentinel guards of Seahaven reserve.
Often empty,
these houses surely harbour human secrets
of adventurers come and gone,
of families and lovers, births and deaths,
tears and laughter, separations celebrations
disappointments and long-awaited dreams.
Self assured in their diversity
they stride up the hill from Ventnor to Grossard Point,
from basic fishermen fibros to million dollar boxes,
modern slick with concrete, glass and prickly potted plants.
We rest in the middle.
Having started life one storied, our retro house kept growing
outwards and upwards,
balancing on eight blue poles.
Achingly weathered and weary, potential invited us in –
a Kairos moment embarking on our own “Spindrift” voyage.
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Being there now, stillness and silence engulf us.
Peace prevails
and seeps into our souls.
Venturing out to walk the shoreline
we gather tiny scallop shells, symbols along our pilgrim Way,
but coming back across the green,
the row of houses silhouetted against our cypress sky
seemingly confront, rather than invite.
Austere in their empty silence, they watch and wait,
wait for their life-blood’s return.
Junette Schoell has appeared in Poet’s Corner with poem settings from around Australia. She was born in the Barossa Valley and now lives on the slopes of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. Junette began writing poetry as a young teacher on Kangaroo Island, with her poetry coming from strong personal moments and challenges, and the experiences of nature both old and renewed.
Readers’ original and unpublished poems of up to 40 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to poetscorner@solsticemedia.com.au. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.
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