Sympathy Laughs from Panicle by Nika Mo

Walking streets in the dark
sit on the edge of the monastery
and reminisce on our past
you say there's some cheap thrill
in breaking dumb rules

Seventeen treadmills
lined up in a row in the window of Beatty Park
floor to ceiling glass

Eight masts
three lights
in between them glow
looks like
the Subi oval goal posts
I slip
on the stone jetty
fall on my hands and knees
I'm fine
just embarrassed
they help me to my feet
give me sympathy laughs

When I was a kid
My knees were always grazes (scabs and scars)
And blisters on my palms
From the monkey bars

Now I pretend to be grown up
I'm scared that I'll fall over
If I walk too close to the water
But tonight I just want to feel my ears

Among
The waves
So I risk the fall
Put on
Like I am brave
And I don't care at all
I slip
On the stone jetty
Get salty knees
My friend
Makes like a medic
And asks me: does it sting?
I smile
As sympathetic laughter
Rings over the bay
And the echoes come back to us
I think they're laughing but
Somehow they seem to say:

Making waves ain't easy
Get out of the way

• Folk
• Perth