Flinders

Flinders sees me come and go, sees me sail my way to the home

Of Messrs Young and Jackson, sees me pass by as I go,

Sees the passing tide of humanity, a hulk of burdened souls,

Sees them move toward the corner and pass the Yarra’s flow.

Sees them circumnavigate the city without sextant or the stars

Watches flocks and waves of wanderers as they search for their own shores

Sees the poor and feeble flotsam float from place to place

Sees them crash like breakers filled with foam upon the shop front doors.

Then Flinders sees me leave at last, from Young and Jackson’s place

He sees me walk beneath the clocks and climb toward the train

And like sails upon a distant horizon, toward an unknown land

He sees me as I and others, unhinge the anchor chain.

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