Shadow Play by
Tracey Sargent
There is an old house that crookedly stands on the corner of two intersecting streets. Back when a family first called her home, she must have been a highlight of the suburb. With freshly painted gables, sparkling windows and a garden neatly trimmed; she would have charmed all who laid eyes upon her.
Now though, instead of gleaming with pride, she recedes into the background. Her paint is worn and peeling, those bright shining windows have dulled beneath years of dirt, and that once tidy garden has hungrily reclaimed its natural territory. Neighbouring houses turn their gaze away in embarrassment.
From outside she looks not just old and tired, but abandoned - like all hope has long since been lost. All is still and quiet, and it seems that no life remains, and yet .... there is that wild garden which grows unchecked. The trees that stand to her front have spread their branches both up and out, obscuring the ground floor almost entirely from view. A vine once used to visually soften the hard edges of the attached carport, has stretched sinewy limbs across every available surface, covering the front stairs and verandah with an imperfect, yet ever changing mask. The shrubs that once formed a precisely trimmed hedge along the fence, now cascade beyond the property boundary and on to the footpath below, like slowly crashing waves on an ocean of green.
With a subtle change of focus, it does appear that abundant life is to be found here, but its movements are slow and inelegant. It is only on the stormiest of days, when the dark clouds hang heavy and low in the sky, and the wind roars through the streets, that these green inhabitants display their true energy and inherent grace. As such rain-threatened days draw to a close and the street lights begin to flicker and hum, these botanical dancers are enticed to the stage.
Under steady gaze of artificial light, the rain and wind collaborate to push and pull the leaves and branches of this urban wilderness in accordance with some unknown rhythm and unheard beat. The steps are fluid and natural, and each plant knows them well. The performance is intoxicating, soon luring other players to join the stage. Moving in unison and growing steadily stronger, dark shadow twins throw themselves up against the surface of the house, in mirrored and silent homage to the green performers.
This house, she lives. Even if one day the green ultimately overcomes her, life will continue on - ready and waiting for the next act to begin.
