The Time . . .10:07 A.M. Saturday

The Place. . .Pedestrian tunnel from

St James Station to Macquarie Street.

Five or six bodies lie entombed on the

walkway, in makeshift beds of ancient

blankets, and various coverings of

natural and manmade fibres.

All afflicted with the same motionless

disease, lying alone, except for one man

and woman, they lie side by side, their

bodies reveal an incredibly moving

and tender symmetry, born out of who

knows what circumstances.

And having no apparent worldly

possessions, they cling to each other,

permanently past caring, frozen in time

and place, safe in the anaesthetic of sleep.

'For better, for worse, for richer, for

poorer, in sickness, and in health . . .

till . . . . .do us part'