The Love Song of Burke and Wills

[Leanne]

and then at sunset
stars seeded from the sands’ fire
shot to bloom across the sky

underfoot, the desert whispered
now I stir, now I strike
like yesterday

one foot, two foot
now a kangaroo foot
hop to the left, there’s a light

gone past

and God sang lullabies
hush, the thirst
hush, the dry skin crackling against
swollen tongue
shhh

God said
I am in your head
cut it off
cut it out
come to me

chasm lips, the lizards seek
a resting place
erase yourself
bleach
and be clean

wind folds breath into dust
bones dance clear of flesh
and morning brings rain