Everything I Do

Poem and photography by Pearl Roycroft

Photo of a red van open at the back in the Australian outback

Everything I do accommodates two 

From the coffee I pour in the morning 

To the seven extra mugs in my drawer 

To the spare camping chair 

Tucked in the footwell beneath the door 

And the extra van keys 


Everything I use was made for two 

From the double bed in my room 

To what I pay in fuel, and food 

The big cook ups that last me for days

As I try not to waste 


Everything I see is for more than me 

From the windswept mountain road 

To the vacant passenger seat 

To the double cup holder in the centre console 

And the 270’ awning I sit under alone 


Why do I insist on accommodating you 

When I don’t know who you are 

When did you weave yourself into my heart? 

Why do my hands create for two 

When there’s no one here with me

Be it desire for community, or your company? 


Everything I need and even more 

God has given me 

But more than things, more than places and magic 

He made me for connection, relationship, 

To give and to receive



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“You are better off having a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn. If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble. If you sleep alone, you won't have anyone to keep you warm on a cold night. Someone might be able to beat up one of you, but not both of you. As the saying goes, A rope made from three strands of cord is hard to break.”


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Pearl Roycroft—Regular Contributor

A gardener by morning, napper by afternoon and hostess by night, Pearl considers herself the luckiest girl in the world. She is a cacao enthusiast from the Perth Hills, who lives with a pet bird, a close sister and many trees. Pearl has travelled to unique places around the globe and across the country in her red van, which you can read about at Pen and Paper. For love, she makes music. Check out her album Closing Doors on Bandcamp.

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For the Love of Sport (and Strawberries)