The Other Side: A Poem from Sydney

Balls Head Reserve, Sydney Harbour

I recently lived for eighteen months on the north side, in Waverton. One of the precious finds across the bridge was Balls Head Reserve, flanked by Sydney Harbour on three sides. This Reserve of 23 acres of bushland with native flora and fauna, Aboriginal sites, and spectacular views, was first explored by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball, Commander of the ship Supply in the First Fleet of 1788.

I used to go there every day to walk, meditate and marvel at the scenery and wild life. There’s nothing like it on the eastern side. One day I caught sight of Wild Oats Eleven practising on the harbour.

There were several favourite places where I liked to sit and meditate, before continuing on my daily exercise.

The Other Side

From within this secret womb
where reeds and limbs embrace
and water-lapping sounds wash over me
as sailing boats and gulls glide into view
I sit in lotus post and close my eyes and
breathe in bushland smells
so fresh and crisp as newborn dew that
lifts me up as if to hover air-born
on the other side

Currawongs carolling in coolibahs
join in symphony with mystic signs
from ancient ferries passing by
liquefying mind in sight and sounds
on the other side

From reedy nest wherein I pray on harbour waters
steeped in nature just across the bridge and
spy the world as if through hawks’ eyes drifting here
on the northern shore

Smell the salt from seas brought on the winds
swishing soft past ear and hair as far
away from aeroplanes that glide on concrete
and floating giants that stir up wakes of foam
as they head for open seas—America over there
while I dream of fish flying in the spray
and magic eyries in which eagles lay their eggs
and plovers quiver guarding young
from snakes and lizards here

Shedding human wiles
I meld becoming one
with them whilst I hide
in grass and bide my time here
on the other side

© Anne Skyvington