“The long eye lashes of a child” *. . .
Words about a dying child.
A big child,
A brown child,
A boy child. . .
A dying child.
 
Should we have told a child
where ‘the wrong place’ might be?
Should we have told a child
when ‘the wrong time’ would be?
 
How could he know
the murderous intent,
the hatred
and the spite
of the white man in the car,
just looking for a black kid --
with weapons at the ready.
 
Was, ‘there he is’
Or, ‘there’s one’
the call of mindless hate?
What motivates the dull minds
of that white man
and his mates?
Did they say, ‘Let’s get him?’
Did they mean to kill and maim,
as they came towards the boy?
 
“With eye lashes of a child”.
 
*Quote, from Editorial, The Saturday Paper, 29.10.2022,
“DON’T LOOK AWAY’
 
 

It’s about 32 years ago and we are travelling through Queensland, on a holiday from Victoria.
At a picnic spot by the Mary River at Maryborough, we are sitting in the car drinking coffee, because it’s raining. As we gaze around at the scenery, an ibis walks along the grass, near our car.
It is an unusual sight, and we guess that maybe the bird is searching for food dropped by picnickers.
“What a strange sight,” we laugh, “A bit like the seagulls at Melbourne bay-side beaches.”
We watch the lone ibis and wonder what has led it to become a scavenger.

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In 2022 ibis are now commonly referred to as ‘bin chickens’ and seen in many—if not most—areas in Australia. They are no longer only visible in rural settings, by waterways. They are in parks, gardens, and roadsides, attracted by humans and the bits and pieces of garbage food left behind.

Ibis are no strangers to kids of today, but I don’t think I had even seen one before I was an adult. (Yes, I’m that old).

Now, it’s not uncommon for me to step out of my home and see an ibis on the front lawn.

What happened?

P.S. Ibis in the picture was at outdoor dining area at QPAC, Brisbane.