Hawkesbury River Visit
I – The Dream


A long held dream of mine to visit the Hawkesbury
a quaint timber shack right on the river
so close you can hear the lap of water night and day
rhythmic knock of wooden boat
moored at the jetty
feel the turning tides through rustic floor boards
a large window taking in the view
forested hills, hazed blue
wide expanse of river
oyster racks just breaking the surface
book lined walls and a nook for reading
a window seat with plump cushions
river birds wading at water’s edge
graceful bending to beak the shallows
snap and swallow fish, pelicans gliding
just a stone’s throw from Robert and Juno
following the same moon, rising above trees
framed in a picture window
afternoon tea in a garden, overlooking the jetty
literary conversations and river music
perhaps take the boat out to explore the flow of the river
see the sights along the shores
closer to islands.
 
II – The Reality

There is no doubt of its beauty.
We catch glimpses of the river
as the GPS guides us to Cheero Point
but we are dead beat after the long journey
keen to put up our feet and make a fresh pot of tea.
We only have one night
not likely we’ll have time to explore.
First thing in the morning we must hit the road again.
I’m disappointed.
Our river shack sits on a narrow lane overlooking the river
there’s a pontoon and private jetty
cordoned off with orange bunting
recent rains have collapsed the verges
no access to dip hands and toes in water
I long for that connection, to know the river’s flow
feel its current course through me.
Our city car is too large to reverse into the garage
gouged from stone, under the living quarters
but a kindly neighbour allows us to park
further up the lane where it widens
we carry our belongings the distance
then up the river stone stairs.
The living space is compact and modern
with a tiny balconet to tease us outdoors
I am grateful for that much.
Sidling into the slender space
to breathe in
the
coming
night
 
to
listen
i
m
a
g
i
n
e
the
joy
of
spending
a
lifetime
here.