1
Refuge

Forty years ago, we slept on the floor
of a small fibro house scrounged
from the Housing Commission.
We called it Bonnnie’s
and waited
for the first desperate women
to fall in door, trailing kids.

A cup of tea.
A life story.

In the morning the kids played
in the dusty back yard, safe –
for now.

People gave blankets, sheets, chairs.
They understood, without politics,
that this place of shelter
was needed.

Forty years later
Bonnie’s is still here.
A better, bigger house.
Offices!
Long term services.
Paid staff.

This sole survivor
of the refuge movement
is still needed.

In dark truth
as the killings mount,
needed more.

Today a 40th birthday bash
for Bonnie’s
Yellow balloons in the courtyard.
Yellow and black posters everywhere –
saying “You are NOT powerless.”

Swings and slides for the kids.
A row of suited men,
respectfully silent
in a sea of elated women,

On leaflets, brochures, lips,
an old phrase to gladden my heart –

“By Women, For Women”