ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Lonely Expat

I’m miles from home and stranded, and I’ve no idea how long
this enforced cocoon of solitude will stand.
Till further notice, border gates are closed to everyone
across this chilly, isolated land.
Alone and far away, a six-dog night now closes in
to end another bleak and drawn out day;
with weekly rations standing at an all-time dismal low,
I strive to hope and keep despair at bay.

With nothing in the fridge, the current argument is dry—
I long with all my heart for Carlton Cold;
some fresh made bread and cockie’s joy, a decent pie with sauce
right now would hold more worth to me than gold.
I dream of friends and family and ache to hold each one,
to see their faces, laugh without a care,
whilst dwelling on regrets I didn’t leave this place in time,
for now, I simply haven’t got a prayer.

My homeland’s calling out to me, and yet I can't return—
with grief I sup this tea that’s meant for two,
for here there’s only me, so what I yearn for most of all:
companionship to help me make it through.
This plague has rendered everybody helpless and afraid—
in this I do not stand the only one;
my constant hope survival, only dream to which I cling
is seeing once again my southern sun.

© Catherine Lee, 2020

Hi Catherine

I can hear the longing for home in your words, let's hope that will be sooner than it may appear at the moment.
Pity you're not in Perth, here I could at least keep you supplied with vegies, my garden is in full swing.
I haven't got any Carlton Cold but I do have a couple of bottles of red that I would be glad to share.

As always I really enjoyed your very well constructed and thought out poem - used the prompts well too!

Stay safe Catherine, relief may come earlier than expected.

Terry

Thanks so much Terry, for your kind comments. Those bottles of red sound good right now, especially as the alcohol sales ban has been extended here! Still, I'm not completely out yet, ha! Well done with the vegies - those who can grow their own at such a time are indeed fortunate!

Excellent poem as usual, Catherine!

I guess everyone is coping with isolation in different ways. We have friends stuck overseas who didn't "get out" of Britain in time. Other friends just got out of Norway with hours to spare. Strange times indeed!

Cheers
Shelley

You certainly have good reason to use those prompts Catherine being as to how your situation is a little different to the rest of us, being apart from friends and loved ones is difficult, being out of your country with no idea when borders will reopen even more so....but hang in there - this too will pass. The emotions in your poem are tangible - a good write

Good write Catherine, has the right tone for desperate longing. I hope this is imagination not really you.

Catherine, as a fellow ABPA member, I was initially horrified at your situation.!! .. but then I figured out it was really a kind of "poet's scenario" thing, creative writing... and not your real situation? Panic over.
Anyway I have packed a carton with baked beans, tomato sauce, home brew beer, vegemite and a bit of scarce toilet paper too (just in case). So if you do get in trouble over there, don't hesitate.... only too happy to send it.

Thank you so much, Shelley, Maureen, Neville and Gary... Despite being an expat for so long and currently safe and well over here, the yearning for home comes in waves over time and never truly leaves you completely - in such a situation as this of course, it is highlighted even more. So yes, there is a combination of imagination (certainly no six-dog-nights in this heat!) and reality in this poem, and I am therefore really touched by your kind words... Gary, I appreciate your offer and will start a shopping list to shelve for future reference!