deep south 2013
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dsj poetry
Mammatus
(a rare formation of downward-bulging clouds)
They bulged, knife-pasted to the morning sky,
ink-veined, creamy, oil-swirl thick. When
did they form? The air was tense and warm.
Beneath, we drove, or took the bus, or walked
to work, or carried baskets out to peg the socks.
We looked up often. They pushed their dugs on us.
They didn't budge. Not vaporous puffs,
but solid, set, and sculpted, marble-streaked
and marvellous. Or mad. This canopy
might burn and wheel, might split,
might vomit flapping cawing smuts, might spew
its pent and rotted milk to pit our pretty town.
What pressed? What pressed? We carried on, routine.
We continued, eyes averted now. Obscene.
Sue Wootton's publications include three collections of poetry, a children's book, and, most recently, the short story collection ‘The Happiest Music on Earth’ (Rosa Mira Books 2013 http://rosamirabooks.com/). Forthcoming from Canberra artist Caren Florance is Out of Shape, a hand press artisan portfolio of some of Sue's poetry, (see http://ampersandduck.com/art/). She was awarded the 2012 NZ Society of Authors mid-career grant, and is currently writing a novel. Further information is available on her website suewootton.com.
