and what does it mean to live on an island anyway

it means one long road of the raised finger salute
from steering wheels as one drives past
being good neighbours

it means loving your enemies
who save you when the bush fire comes
it means being good neighbours

and trying to keep your mouth shut
'cos what comes around goes around
though Christ said it better

I've lived on dirt roads all my life
even when they've been sealed
'cos I've got my parents' memories

and their parents too in this land of immigrants
where I can't escape the songs of the land
telling me stories 'cos who I am is where I am

and I've seen others escape to the mainland
but who doesn't come back
it is better to be an exile at home

ask Jesus Christ
the island travels with you
a knowledge greater than the London Cabbies'

there's no such thing as a closed system
in my incestuous pool of connections
what does not touch me

© Liz Winfield