Southern Cross University Showcase

A showcase of SCU student work, compiled by Dr Emma Doolan

Thirty-three Thousand Days

By Deb Furhmann (Milgate)

The first fifteen hundred were easy; A cry. Louder if needed. Attention seeking. Time irrelevant, and not yet learned. Day was lighter than night, until a light made night day. Nourished. Content. Five thousand days. Twenty-six letters learned, placed in order then spoken, read, and heard. Some numbers; Count apples, multiply sheep. Subtract money. Six thousand more. Carefree. Que Sera Sera and The King and I. And Elvis. Dancing at the Seabreeze. The boys once dressed in slacks and gingham, now men in finely tailored suits. The young ladies sit, politely waiting to be asked. Twelve thousand days. A change of name. New titles. Mother. Wife. Teacher. Carer Loss and sympathy cards. Life cycle. The death of Elvis. Three thousand five hundred. Take that cruise! The children of the children. Christmas gatherings. The crackling and gravy. Cards and presents. Soap. More photo frames. Another five thousand. The phone on the wall has gone. The new one is mobile. A milestone marked. Invitations. The list is shorter. Funerals and triangle sandwiches. The children and their children visit less. Day is lighter than night until a light makes night day.

Deb Fuhrmann (Milgate) is a fifth-generation Northern Rivers local. She has contributed for more than twenty-five years to the regional media industry and is an avid photographer. She is in her first year of an Associate Degree in Creative Writing at SCU.