Eucalyptus saligna – Sydney Blue Gum

Before axes, before hacksaws
and the steel teeth of chainsaws,
before macadam and brick,
the high forest flourished
over these shale-capped ridges.

Now only remnants remain,
networks of roots restricted
to suburban reserves, the midstory
competing with lantana, laurel,
madeira and passionfruit vine.

Pale and smooth, from peeling
bark collars, the trunks stretch
to vertiginous heights, their hollows
homes, their flowers and fruit
food for possums and parrots.

On this autumn morning
there is time to pause,
breathe in the crisp forest scent,
look up, watch the progress
of ladybirds across branches,

listen to whipbirds and whistlers, 
and one more bird, name unknown,
its lilting melody rising and falling
with the breeze, tilting the world
right back to a time before us.