No One Ever Looks Up.

In my final year of high school we studied a poet who wrote a piece about Sydney that I really loved. I’d like to be able to tell you who she was and what the poem was called but I was too busy worrying about my plans for the weekend and the cute boy who worked in our local supermarket, and I can no longer recall the details.

I do remember that she wrote about the monorail slithering through Sydney like a snake, and I’ve always smiled and remembered that when ever I’m in the City. Her words that most play over in my head though are that no one in Sydney ever looks up.


I once worked in the City for a short stint. I felt like a fraud in my skirt, blouse and high heels. The little boy I was nannying for at the time had started school so I did some work for the family in the office. I was a square peg in a round hole. I’d tell them in the office that I’d do anything but not answer phones. There were so many lines and the thought of trying to answer them sent my head into a spin. Luckily for me I never had to answer a call.
I’d catch the ferry to work with all the serious working type people. There were very few smiles, and everyone was in a rush. I was used to play dates, swings and sandwiches cut into triangles. Everyone was focused on the footpath in front of them. No one in Sydney ever looks up.

But I did. I saw buildings that reached all the way to the clouds, glimpses of pastel blue sky and brightly coloured advertising boards. Now I always make an effort to look up when I’m in the City.
When I was in the City on the weekend I was pleasantly surprised to see a cluster of bird cages in a little alley. There is a little soundtrack of bird chirping to go with it. The alley was empty except for a lone cleaner. They’re empty, he laughed, I got tricked the first time too.

He went along sweeping up stray cigarette butts and wrappers as he told us about the bird cages, I don’t know who put them here, but everyone gets fooled. They look for the birds.

Another alley has cars all up in the sky, the happy cleaner informed us, it’s either that way or this way.

We went on our way through the back streets of Sydney looking for the cars, but we didn’t find them. Instead we found this over sized armchair and chandelier.
I fell in love with Sydney all over again. Sometimes it’s hard to see past the traffic, the fumes, the hurried workers and the sullen faces. But this past weekend I did. Sydney, I ♥ you.
How was your weekend my friend?

15 thoughts on “No One Ever Looks Up.”

  3. how amazing are the bird cages! i love to look up but mostly cause i love taking photos of the sky…

    how small does lacey look in that huge chair! happy birthday to your mumma xxx

  7. did you just watch (500) Days of Summer? 🙂 i managed to watch half of it yesterday, got up to the part where he says 'No one ever looks up' … xx That chair is fun!!

  8. So very true…but you know..I always make a point of looking up at things..as I realised when I worked in the cbd…just how many people walk with their chin to the ground..and when I started doing this..it made me feel happier inside to greet the day…funny how certain actions can then change your attitude or mood. Hope you have a fab week..and a much cooler one thank goodness x

  10. Where are those bird cages????? I love them!
    Also love the chair..
    Your mum looks amazing, hope she had a wonderful birthday.
    xx

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