Blue Mountains recluse -- Dorothy Porter

[1954–2008, Australian]

I came for the quiet
I don’t mind the cold

but thick mists
thick neighbours

and involuntary celibacy

are as inducive to hard drinking as diesel fumes, high rent
and corrupt cops

I don’t like bush walks
or Devonshire Teas

I can’t remember what adrenalin
tastes like

I need Sydney
I need a new job.

Source: Porter, D 1994, 'Blue Mountains recluse', The Monkey’s Mask, Arcade Publishing. Retrieved 25 February 2013 from www.poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/porter-dorothy/blue-mountains-recluse-0129003