Alice Springs 1999

Heavy is

a big stone

in my pocket

that I want

to throw

in a river.

But cannot

because it means

something more

than memory.

He was a black boy

in the white sun

who was

spat,

punched,

kicked.

For colour,

history,

reconciliation?

The theft of a

picture book

from a gift shop.

I am bad bone

because I saw it happen

and walked away.

I could have helped.

It's a big stone

and I am mean.