My suburb

The water rises and falls,

Always calm,

Understated.

Cyclists race along Beach Road;

Workers join the chase on the train,

While cars start, stop and start again along the Nepean way.

Got to pay for over priced houses,

And cover our children’s tuition,

To do otherwise would be sin of omission.

Polite,

Respectable,

Clean.

No violent crime,

No social unrest,

Not in public.

Behind brick walls and security doors,

Beneath our happy exterior,

Hide drowning souls.

Sea water dreams.

Looking for air.

Better not appear like I need prayer.

Fear of shame,

Is greater than confession.

Not that I would tell anyone.