March 23rd, 2020Local Lines : Back in the day when they had toilet paper

Back in the day when they had toilet paper:

counting the squares of toilet paper

remembering that time

in Eganstown

at Aunty Irene’s

when spiders had parties in her

outdoor loo

I’d never seen a redback

til Seth left me

a sheep’s skull

still green

like a siren

I dropped the bag

ran round the kitchen

thirteen times

for luck

sprayed a whole can

of Knockdown

threw it in the bin

I hid behind

Aunty Irene

when I saw a great big hairy

that time

me and she jumped up n down

on her bed

Edna

not Aunty Edna

but Edna who was seeing Young Jack

whilst he was in prison

or embezzlement

came in and thwacked it

spider guts look like

a Pro Hart painting

only better

she muttered in Hush Puppies

me and Aunty Irene

still jumped up n down

at 3 am

we liked that game

at twelve

I knew nothing

at eighty-three

her laugh told me

everything

– Mary Stone

Mary Stone is a poet, singer and spoken word performer who has featured in many poetry venues throughout Melbourne and Central Victoria. She has won several awards for her work and published widely – including her most recent book, Hail Mary full of disgrace. She loves singing Mills & Boon, acapella, making NQR risotto and tripping over her own feet.

Poems for Local Lines come predominantly from a group of poets. However, other locals who would like a poem considered for publication can contact Bill Wootton – cottlesbreedge@gmail.com