Steven Herrick

Our great adventure ran out of petrol and stopped on this farm.

He walks through the house of his past, hoping he'll find the right door, hoping he'll find the key.

I'm not sure if my dream is a dream, or a nightmare.

My father said to remember your enemies as well as your friends, and don't trust either of them.

I know that today, with a full tank, and with Annabel, that it's time to go.

She taught me what's important, and what isn't. And I've never forgotten. And that's what mothers do, I say.

I'm drinking away the exam results that don't take me anywhere.

She didn't have an answer for that. People like her only ever have questions.

People say the beach is the great equaliserWho are they kidding?Sit at Bondi and watch the boys flexAnd the girls walk bolt uprightIt looks like a nightmare episode of Baywatch.The true equaliser is the mountain coldAnd stacks of cold flung togetherMaybe then we__ listen to what each other is sayingInstead of checking out the best bods.And as I wrap another layerAround my Size 10I think of Jack__ favourite saying:__oday__ tan is tomorrow__ cancer__ walk outsideAnd whistle at the wind.

As I stood on the lonely backroad, I'm sure I heard birds, kookaburras, laughing ...

I walked out of his room sure I'd said the right thing maybe not as a father but as a Dad. I'd said the right thing, for once in my life.

He looks a hell of a lot like me, only a fair bit older.

Bloody rain_ says Mr ChiversBouncing a basketballOn the one dry patch of courtbloody rain_ he nods to our Sports classAnd gives us the afternoon off.Bloody rain all rightAs Annabel and I run to Megalong Creek hutFaster than we ever have in Chivers__ classAnd the exercise we have in mindWe__e been training for all yearBut I doubt if old ChiversWill give us a medal if he ever finds out.We high jump into the hutAnd strip downClimb under the blanketsAnd cheer the bloody rain As it does a lap or twoAround the mountainWhile Annabel and meEmbrace like winners shouldLike good sports doAs Mr. Chivers sips his third coffeeAnd twitches his bad kneeFrom his playing daysWhile miles awayAnnabel and IScore a convincing victoryAnd for once in our school lifeThe words __hysical Education__ake sense_

Jack reads too many books. He thinks we're going to drive all year and have great adventures.

I'm dreaming of a month of Sundays.

I've tried praying. It gives me comfort. But not as much as a cup of tea and a ginger nut biscuit.

Men walk through tragedy, quietly, calm and precise on the outside, tearing themselves to shreds inside.

Her body begs to be taken away and put into a warm bed with the sheets pulled high, even though nothing can help now.