Snapped

two and thrilled
because she has a new
sunhat and bloomers
and because Junior’s
taking the picture

posing for the camera
arms ramrod straight
knees locked back
toothily she smiles
the world still a friendly place

behind her the fence
made with Marsden matting
(there was a glut after the war)
the jackfruit in the distance
still a wispy thing, not yet
the fat-branched landmark
where the python coiled

banana leaves to the left of her
the kitchen garden sparse
still a ways to go before it becomes
their luxuriant ‘Green Mansions’
where she is Rina, the bird-girl
whom Tito finds in the mango tree

easily their favourite game before
she moves away
and childhood ends