Alchemy

A Poem by

Sunset over the Yarra river.

I step into the waning light,

The Mikado ringing in my ears.

A cool stone balustrade

Polishing my fingertips.

The river glimmers in the twilight,

Set ablaze by dying sunbeams.

Gilded ripples rolling gently

Across the tranquil surface.

Those gilt-framed few minutes,

Between the daytime and the night,

When for once the dead brown Yarra

Transmutes as if by stone.

© 2011

Author's Note

This is the positive part of the two pieces we need to write about Melbourne for class. "Empty" is the negative.

Some background information to help understanding:

"The Mikado" is a Gilbert and Sullivan opera. One of the bridges crossing the Yarra river is beside the Arts Centre in Melbourne. The stone mentioned is the Philosopher's stone, the fabled substance that can turn a base metal into pure gold.

Photo courtesy of: http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1066767783033862792dVaDNW