Magpie 14 Kangaroo Paw

it sits
hidden from view
an heirloom with no currency.
Hidden from guests
fearing inferiority
among the modern and the tasteful.



my mother's love affair
with wildflowers
and things domestic.
the emblem of the western state.
not opals or
aboriginal artifacts or
hand spun wollen scarves.
but a plate.
handpainted.
red and green Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos manglesii

never used
never feted
never mentioned
always present
hung on the living room wall
of the war service cottage
for fifty years.

strange
I had to have
that one piece
of my mother.

For more writing inspired by the 'Blue willow" plate click on this image. This piece is part of the writing website magpie tales.

For more stories about the War service cottage see the previous post:
"That Ordinary House - Hopes and Lies" Click here.