Aurelia walks to the fireworks alone. Always alone, save for your voice reminding her that she is watched, even thousands of miles from you. Will you leave my head?
There is no queue this year. She finds the most amazing spot, right by the wire. There are people from Norway, Bangalore, Adelaide, Italy and China. It is a group of travellers journeying together. There seem to be mainly tourists, not Australians. Aurelia wonders if there are less people this year. Have the fires made an impact? Should there even be fireworks with all this tragedy going on. Playful fire in the face of dangerous fire.
The hours crawl by. 2020 vision-the year of new vision a fresh start.
As the fireworks begin at midnight-the breathtaking beauty that is Sydney explodes into the sky. Twinkling purple and yellow, like fairy lights, silver stars, pure magic. And Aurelia feels light rain droplets-the eyes of the New Year sprinkling miraculous tears of water onto the parched land.
January 1st 2020
Aurelia stands outside and rain comes more readily. There is a breeze. Aurelia has never appreciated rain before, never appreciated safety-personal safety, safety from fire. She wonders at the miracle that is water falling from the sky.
January 2nd 2020
Aurelia smells the pungent smoke in her room. Blue smoke has entered the sky. Her breath is constricted and she wears a mask indoors. She takes an anti-histamine tablet and soon feels better. Nonetheless she decides to remain in the house for the entireday and does not go in the pool.
HOPE 2018 