South Australian artist, jeweller, teacher and writer Don Ellis finds inspiration in nature for these two poems.

Crows

Sleek black impeccably plumed
gliding arrogantly from afar.
They land high on sparsely leafed eucalypts
their vision uninterrupted.
Taunting all below with harsh insolent cries
they rule their domain, silhouetted against a clear blue sky
without mandate or right.

Rabbits

Not the rabbits of the picture books.
Not soft, fluffy, plump or variously coloured.
Not belonging to the landscape they exploit so well.
Neither loved, feared or nurtured
they defiantly multiply.

Don Ellis was born and raised in Port Augusta where he did his initial trades apprenticeship at the power station. He now holds an Advanced Trades Certificate in Fitting & Turning, a Diploma of Art Teaching, and has degrees in education through to PhD level. Jewellery making and sculpting are also keen interests, and along with his appearance in Poet’s Corner in August, these are his first published poems.

Readers’ original and unpublished poems up to 30 lines can be emailed, with postal address, to [email protected]. A poetry book will be awarded to each contributor.