Published in Overland Issue 16 Summer 1959-60 · Poetry Stranger Who Was Flesh (a poem) Robin Luftus Stranger who was flesh and marrow of my bone How far and lonely have you comeIn seven years. A little space of timeAnd yet your universe and mineTo separate worlds in different orbits spinI sense a wild kaleidoscope within your brain But cannot enter in. Once your eyes reflected but a single world And I the centre. Gently furledWithin my heart, the flower IAnd you the bud. And nothing knewBut calm content as in each other grew.But now your reckless days weave patterns bright As shoals of fish that dart and veer in sudden flight. ow will you fare, my love, tracking an alien star Through the tides and reefs of lonely seas, far From the welcoming land? How will you fare?You stand with bright impatience, quick to defend your willDemand the hills and sky, but never know your fill.I tremble that the world will take a savage tollOf your effervescent years, and like Icarus you will fallAll burning from the sun.Oh winds of love, if you were ever realFan my understanding into vibrant flame. Let me feelYour gales of light strike deep in my unknowing mind.Return the vision once you briefly lent, and bind Me to your living centre once again. Robin Luftus More by Robin Luftus › 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 8 November 20248 November 2024 · Poetry Announcing the final results of the 2024 Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers Editorial Team After careful consideration, judges Karen Wyld and Eugenia Flynn have selected first place and two runners-up to form the final results of this year’s Nakata Brophy Prize! 6 November 20246 November 2024 · Poetry TV Times Kate Lilley I try out for Can Can after school / knowing I’m not cut out for the high kicks / Ballads chansons show tunes ok / I can belt out Judy Garland and all the songs from Oliver / “Who Will Buy”/”As Long as He Needs Me” / Wher-e-e-e-ere is love