Published in Overland Issue 247 Winter 2022 · Poetry Poetry | log joanne burns dream’s letterhead lies exhausted in the recycling bin someone is so awake to the moment the black opulence of the room at 4am a hello new day screen lights up bulletins of hydrated news beyond the equator to the hinterlands the call for an ambulance: pinch and panic breath hangs like fake asanas as the dawn filters through pull the zip on that pocket cathedral a numerology of banks stands guard a chai t-bag dangles in its water a pendulum of angst that moment of a final moment a rolling stone so kitsch it rhymes with home the moment when prognosis slides towards you along the gleaming river of linoleum adjacent to the vending machine and the donated monet apparitions on the wall your coin is rejected in the darkness of the slot you still crave that salty snack joanne burns joanne burns is a Sydney poet. She is currently assembling a new manuscript of recent works: rummage. More by joanne burns › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 5 November 2025 · Poetry Force posture agreement Miroslav Sandev The men of Darwin have all taken their rottweilers / out for a walk at the same time. / For our protection. Like Pine Gap: / all those big white eyes that scan / the darkening horizon. / The eyes stay woke, so that we may sleep. / Or so they say. 1 22 August 202522 August 2025 · Poetry starmight K.A Ren Wyld Ending genocide and apartheid is the story. Palestinian liberation is the story. / Aboriginal rights is the story. Truth, justice, treaties and land back is the story. / Global Indigenous peoples’ solidarity and joy is the story. Kinship is the story.
