by John Blight, ©1978.

The New City Poems, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1980. pp. 160-1. Southerly, Volume 38, Number 1, March 1978.

There is our leaning on another's
shoulder where separate erect stance
to me, would make the journey
bearable; but I have had to
travel on most days worried by
the weight of my companions...more
spent than dreary through distances
travelled and whatever thoughts of
miles still nagged at my frayed energy.

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I would choose short selfish respite
to peer back over distances
where I have scarce remarked upon
the colours of this countryside
or noted names for places, points
where the gradients were steepest,
easiest travelled. (.....Extract)