Susan Howard

Matakana, New Zealand

Susan is a poet and playwright living in a house in the country.  She has been published in Takahe Magazine, The Blue Nib, Shot Glass Journal, Plate in a Mirror , Poems in the Waiting Room, a fine line.

Poem completed 26th April 2020

HIATUS      

It was a time

when I had time

to pick apples, stand 

enveloped by tree boughs,

reach up to pick

plump, perfect fruit.

When lipstick languished,

cleanliness reigned,

the wardrobe gathered dust.

When hopes turned backwards

to our future, buns were baked,

and maths applied.

When the walk along

a country road was made

in the middle of the road,

past maize-stubbled fields and

knock-kneed cows waiting

outside the milking shed.

When stars excelled, and from space

the sky discovered

civilisation.

When breath was pure again,

the sky was blue again,

and sunlight squinted eyes.

When the music died

all was stripped away, and 

Maslow ruled.

When designs began to germinate,

challenges were conquered,

and paradigms explored.