Dictionary Definition of a Joe Lunchbucket
Joshua Finzi (University of Canberra)
Consciousness, the first colour: like cockatoos
kee-squealing in broad arcs from gum-to-gum:
a photograph of five fingers and tar resin,
of a jumbo gym breaking through wood
all rusty gills and scaled parasol,
powder in a pestle-and-mortar, gently
congenital:— Awaken, pasture-angel: ten days ago
ten fingers splayed against antidepressant shock therapy,
shoestring pantry selections, routine menstruation:
a photograph of opium resin in a jar, honeyed
meanies breaking out of grain and birdseed,
two-minute-noodle-luncheons at work,
sauvignon blanc and apple juice because the
single panes of window to the winter condensate,
and then the cockatoo: At long last the work hours end,
the day fades away like the light of a dull meteor,
the milky sky opens into gloom
inviolate and breaking through, gently:
kee-squealing away like the fading colour of a favourite
dress, a thick pair of socks, a cardigan, a dressing-gown:
lightly you are waking from the dream. in the breakfast
haze: strawberries-and-chocolate-chip pancakes, French toast,
paper daisies in a vase and a pink candle,
drinking lemonade,
kee-squealing together.
Joshua Finzi is a writer from Canberra. He has published in SWAMP, Voiceworks, and Cordite.
