released 1 September 2016
It’s a month
A month when the mowers rattle on suburban nature strips and we smell the cut grass
A month when the warmth re-enters the earth
A month when we gather
in anticipation
in celebration
in despair
A month of walking in the steps of our ancestors
Colours flying
Tribal colours
Colours of hope, of belonging
a common language
The inescapable colours of spring
It’s ten thousand at training
Suburban grounds filled to the brim
It’s ‘this is your captain speaking ... best of luck in the big game tomorrow’
It’s making the trip
It’s getting there, no matter how far
A month of cities divided,
Cities united
A month for cheer squads staggering under the biggest banner for the year
Those last ten seconds of the national anthem
In joyful strains
Straining to contain the excitement
Overflowing into a roar that shakes the very foundation
A month for entertainers
The whole thing bigger than television can ever explain
The thump of sound hitting your body
A month for making new aquaintances
And for saying goodbye.
It’s a month where moments become monuments
Jezza’s mark
Shaw’s smother
Harmes has run faster than the kick!
Scarlett’s toe
Nick Davis ... Nick Davis!
Buckenara and poor Jim
“I was there you know. I was there”
Goddard’s mark
It’s a month
No... it’s the month