Poetry by Nathanael O’Reilly
You took me down to McKell Park on a hot
Monday afternoon, shared your favourite
sanctuary, showed me the harbour views,
the bridge, the opera house, yachts, islands,
harbourside mansions. We sat on a wooden bench
in sunlight, ate a ploughman’s lunch, sipped Solo
while you described your life in the neighbourhood,
the countless hours spent reading, relaxing and meditating
in the park. We climbed down to the water’s edge
where you showed me the locals’ place for a secluded
refreshing dip, safe from sharks and tourists’ eyes.
I watched a ferry dock at the wharf, pausing on its way
from Double Bay to Circular Quay, while you stood
in a yellow sundress facing the water, one hand grasping
the fence while you talked to your brother on the phone.
You showed me the foundations of Canonbury House
while explaining the history of the park, walked
with me along the waterfront to its eastern limits
in the shadows of a mansion. We sat in the shade
on Gadigal country conversing about our past
lives, gazed out over the glistening water, stood
with arms around each other’s shoulders
squinting into the sun attempting to capture
a selfie, preserve a rare moment of union.
Nathanael O’Reilly is the author of fourteen poetry collections, including Terminals, Separation Blues: Poems 1994-2024, Dublin Wandering, Landmarks, Boulevard and Preparations for Departure. He is Associate Professor of Creative Writing at The University of Texas at Arlington.
