The Gap

THE GAP



The Gap,
Heavitree Gap,
This narrow defile through...

Through the MacDonnell Ranges
Through between Rock-faced Mount Gillen to West
And its Rock-faced nemesis on the East-side

Through which all
The Todd River, The Ghan railway
And the Stuart Highway must pass

As through
The eye of a needle
(And the check that entails)

As through a border gate
With its armed guards
In ask for tresspass?

Where one needs
A visa to the other side
A passport

To show, and to prove
Just who it is
You are

A pass
As in a biblical parable
A narrow way

But this is
only Alice Springs where
coming and going is normal

As if there is
No gap to squeeze through
Nor a gate at which to answer

No pass
No eye of the needle
Of any accounting

Just The Gap
Which almost anyone as everyone
Might take for granted.


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Image (above): Alice Springs Mural: Heavitree Gap (Ntaripe) Mural with Todd River (Lheere Mparntwe)

* * *

(below) Alice Springs, looking South to The Gap

* * *

The Gap in flood 2002, looking north to Alice Springs

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IN THE BIGGER GEOGRAPHICAL PERSPECTIVE: The South MacDonnell Range looking from the West McDonnells across Alice Springs where it funnels into The Gap (and out south to right) and up into the East McDonnall Range curving into the distance.