Joy

We walk for an hour

Along a dirt road

Heading out of Venilale

Going to ‘the mountain’.

We chat

In a mix of English and Tetun

Strolling in a combination of sun, clouds

And spatters of rain that settle the dust.

When we arrive

There is singing and dancing

Before a number of games

Display the innocent joy

Of the participants

This remote location

Watched our shared humanity,

Crowned by the Hail Mary

For our safe travel back to Australia

Sung in two-part harmony.

And God smiled