Christine Burrows
winter solstice tick-tocks the cutting, digging ritual secateurs snick, cut clean through thick thorny shafts and scraggly-leafed branches each rose bush must be pared down to a gnarled fist with a single, spike-armoured finger menace revealed, then tucked into a bed of pea-straw when frost-melt steams in September sun new-forged thorns and leaves, slick with the lacquer of the just born will reveal a sly profusion of furled rosebuds crimson turbans bejewelled with dew at home amongst the barbs,
Christine originates from Aotearoa (NZ) and currently lives and writes on Dja Dja Wurrung Country, in Bendigo. Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies and literary places, in print and on stage. She explores land/psych-scapes of trauma, grief, loss, dis/location, queer experience, social and enviro in/justice.
Old Water Rat Publishing 