Once a year

Once a year the beer 
Is sweeter.

It's the expensive imported stuff.

The stuff at the airport 

When you go visiting mother.

It promises a summery glow.

Hits hard, hits low

In the gut with magnificent warmth.

You'll feel relaxed.

You'll want to dance!

The urge for another soldier

Now that the first has gone down that much stronger.

Two takes an hour.

I'm in line to board.

I'm buckling my seatbelt.

Off to where cicadas sing songs

And the eucalyptus love kookaburras

And that urban mess 

Back there can just wait

A few weeks.