darkness

[j88ls]

sitting here in an unnatural darkness
brought upon this small town by another thunderstorm
I think of my first arrival in Meekatharra
I left the city early not knowing how long the drive would take
each small town I passed brought with it memories of past holidays
happy adventurous holidays spent with my family
this trip was being made in necessity
bringing me to a job I needed for survival
the job I had in the city was no longer sufficient for our needs
we had been spending faster than I could earn
as the years went by I could see my funds drying up
Meekatharra meant a full time job it meant financial security
at the same time it meant leaving behind my two youngest
with the heartbreak and tears that involved
and also driving for eight hours into a very uncertain future
I arrived mid afternoon on a blazing hot January day
finding my key and my house left me feeling weak and faint
my mobile had no service my house had no phone connection
for a while I felt an intense alienation
I was totally cut off from the world I knew
I drove to the school to my new job
I met my new colleagues the people with whom I would work
I ventured into a new unknown future