over-kill
by Stephen House
it is on the second-hand nowhere bridge i cry acid
accepting of defeated cast finally in stoning thump
the scamper drifts to dust in movement of blame
once meant joy but freedom falls into obedience
drives deep heartbeat of happy eroded by rhythm
we were association un-separated by plague boil
inability to save earth natural world continuum beat
our environment grew nil our race once complex flat
apathy depressive anxious result of over-kill heating
when final has become the stop point then what now
climb in bright for this domain now controlled you say
once be it of choice self-destiny determined is halted
gasp rolling hankering smile disintegrated in wet blur
did you see the ex-president controlling own lie preach
that has become usual dragging walk peace step gone
on shattered glass we roll for no more remains solid
greenery we once loved sweet is charred death brown
and that is an ending without try to repeat exculpation
About the author
Stephen House is an award winning Australian playwright, poet and actor. He’s won two Awgie Awards (Australian Writer’s Guild) , Adelaide Fringe Award, Rhonda Jancovich Poetry Award for Social Justice, Goolwa Poetry Cup, Feast Short Story Prize and more. He’s been shortlisted for Lane Cove Literary Award, Overland’s Fair Australia Fiction Prize, Patrick White Playwright and Queensland Premier Drama Awards, Greenroom best actor Award and more. He’s received Australia Council literature residencies to Ireland and Canada, and an India Asialink. His chapbook “real and unreal” was published by ICOE Press Australia. He is published often and performs his work widely.
