Cnr. Swanston and Collins Streets.

This painting, by my sister Sandra Wilson, rather haunts me. Spring time in Melbourne is/was a lovely time. Here, the crowd of unisex lemmings doesn't even notice it is spring. The invisible strings that pull these people must be strong - but what is it?

At the corner of Swanston and Collins Street.

They stand, mutely
waiting at corner crossings,
uniformly unisex
in dark attire.

Important people,
with places to go,
impervious to
spring's fresh touch.

With impassive faces
and veiled eyes
focused forward
in city conditioning

these modern lemmings
move as one,
impelled by
unnatural instincts.
Frances Mackay 2006