An Australian Christmas Carol

An Australian Christmas Carol

used to it, he is –

dog before the man

I like your dog, they say

today the black lab wears a necklet

of silver tinsel and a bell

below inquiring eyes

I want to stroke the silken nose

but say instead

looks like your dog's

ready for Christmas –

he doesn't flinch

who's that, he says

he's tall, assured, a man of the land

I guess he's known its hardness

you don't know me, I blunder

well I do now ‒

I'm Ross and this is Harry

he puts out his right hand

I drop my shopping

take it, warm and confident

okay with the world;

shaking seasons greetings into mine

somebody yells

hi Ross

hi Harry

and he answers with a name

he won't forget we met . . .

then they're off

to buy a gift for his grandson

dog leading man,

disappearing in the crowd

of trash n' treasure vendors selling Christmas

he doesn't have to wonder

where he's going –

he's following his star

Hazel Hall

First published in Kelen, Kit and Page, Geoff (Eds.), 2014, The House Is Not Quiet And The World Is Not Calm. Page 44.