Home, Suurbraak

In the early morning dark
I find myself falling
in love with life.
the stars still in the sky
the roosters crowing – a web
to capture the morning light.
The clouds warn of sunrise
as the milkman leaves home.

The first turtle doves begin to call
a lamb cries somewhere,
separated from its mother.
Each basil leaf wears a diamond,
a robin searches between the lace
of carrot leaves.
An empty nest has fallen
from the oak tree.

My mother takes to her bed
when the news is bad.
Her mother drank gin
at 6pm on the dot,
with the radio off.

My father turns the shower
to cold for one minute
every morning.
His father
stood on his head daily
while breathing deeply.

I would like to combine
headstands with gin
but instead
there are days when I find myself
under the blankets

holding my breath.