post election morning - norwood

the sky is a sunny cloudless blue the roads dry after last night's rain

the little cottages on beulah road their wooden verandahs where bicycles vie with potted shrubs and wrought iron whatsits and pink crepe myrtles in the gardens and frangipanis

the discount shop is opening a girl puts white plastic boxes outside smiles and says good morning

a long time waiting at the portrush lights

on the parade an old man in a gopher on the footpath beep-beeps and passes us saying thanks

later we catch him up

people sit outside cibo's drinking lattes frappes capuccinos and baby capuccinos picking at cakes

all is as it is

but vini's gone

portrush-beulah crossing is a danger for pedestrians

and so is magill road