Bush Boy feels ground’s textures beneath his feet

avoids ant’s nests as if they’re mines

likes the music made by falling branches

makes them into wands, drum sticks,

swords and all manner of things.

Bush boy likes to clamber and climb

look for turtles down at the creek

scare away snakes from the back clothesline

ignore smudges of dirt on his face

until he’s home for snacks.

Bush boy kicks his footy back and forth

hits a tennis ball with a stick – it’s his imagined cricket bat

dreams beyond the scrub

of games and heroes who once began here

sporting heroes raised in the bush.

(c) June Perkins