Omakau. Monday. 1951.

Recognition shock rails lunge infinity
behind AB simmers quietly Omakau engine
          shed
in my new Railway Observer
black and white one photo
the road, the lines that went startle
distant. Sunday afternoon walk with
                          Dad and Mum
White light, operating theatre bash
outside church, past the Wellingtonia’s
unending space
to three year old figure out

Dad taught himself surveying from
cardboard A4 string disc tie envelopes
He’s always wanted to be a surveyor
He is part of the post World War II
miracle, surveying subdivisions, roads
bringing civilisation to Oturehua. It
is thought everybody has an equal right
to good housing, health, education.
Cromwell Express. AB grumpy black...
Mum followed Dad around. It’s a ten hour
train train bus journey back to Owaka.
I was three. Dad wants Mum to wear fawn
beiges. He loathes blue. She sparkles...