Author: Charlie Alford

Hypnotised under a blue southern sky;

I hear, the twitter of birds from the roof,

And rustle of trees in a summer breeze.

Listening, musing, reflecting, the day through.

Soon, I hear, the soft purr of an engine

As a mate, comes home, consumed with folly;

Who, happy and drunk, bellows from the street:

“If only I could win the lottery”

As his laughter fades into his town house

My mind echoes on his conversation.

Images of last night’s doco weighs in

Playing with my thoughts, my meditation.

Today is about the lucky country;

Like a billabong of long time ago

Every nation has been to this great land

Our strong diversity – is all we know.

We are a nation of freedom and choice,

Although it hasn’t always been the case

But we are growing, with education;

And patience, and respect to each other’s place.

We get to breathe the sun and the sea.

We get to dance under the Southern Cross.

We get to laugh and sing to our hearts content.

We never have to be alone, sorry or lost.

Still the helicopter tears through the blue

Like a reminder that all is not fair,

It roars from the mountains to the city

Looking for hope, faith, someone to care.

So, the question of lottery? Is this.

We exist. We dance to our own beat

Knowing tomorrow will come, safe and sound.

We got the jackpot – on humanity!