34-37 Degrees South - 2023
This anthology from the South Coast Writers Centre presents fresh country poetry from emerging and award-winning local writers.
This anthology from the South Coast Writers Centre presents fresh country poetry from emerging and award-winning local writers.
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Eggplant<br />
Elizabeth Walton<br />
(after Eggplant, Peter Balakian)<br />
So much wrapped<br />
in the leaves of stuffed cabbage,<br />
the sweetness of late-season love apples, and slow-roasted romas.<br />
My laptop played “Eggplant” in my homeland, my kitchen,<br />
while I sliced mad fruit—<br />
listening to the mussel stock brew—<br />
listening to Balakian’s voice<br />
journey his purpled mood.<br />
I cried at the white dishes on his table—<br />
how the moon looked in that part of the world.<br />
Sunday, I travelled the state, to homelands of old,<br />
for Dad’s birthday. I carefully refrigerated the stock for the soup.<br />
There were no platters at his house anymore<br />
they’ve been given to neighbours,<br />
and grandchildren, who threw them away<br />
before they went overseas. No plans to return.<br />
I arranged the prawns and mirin drenched peaches<br />
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