Poem :: Nomadic Bumblebee

Bumblebee taking flight in reserved hum 
Beige backpack, a third of his weight and then some 
Sweet nectar wafts with new tastes and sounds
Waiting patiently to be found 

Worn dog-eared map lead the way
Chances taken on places to stay
Touts persistently kept at bay
Without plans or schedules is the way

Attempts to communicate in languages other his own
Phrase book, gestures, intonations cloned
Untamed proboscis eager to taste
Heart and mind wide open in haste

He may be forever nomadic in life 
One day he will return to the hive

Poem :: Currawong

Flock of gentlemen gathered in the evening 
Jet black tailcoats with handsome top hats matching 
Theatrical theme at eucalyptus trees
Scent of strong therapeutic oil blown in the breeze 

Amongst the foliage they engaged in hide and seek 
Flittered flirted in red sunlight filtered by leaves
Expose flashes of white starched shirts with cuff-linked sleeves

Leap and lope with liveliness in parodic plays 
Penned by these satirists as they laugh through the day 
Shiny gold coin eyes in deep rooted conversations
Lets collaborate in their contemplation
Eavesdrop to decipher their palaver

Quwaa. Quwaaoo. Quwaa. Quwaaio. 

Poem :: Boots

Brown laced-up boots scuffed with life lived laden with stories
Excited as they dance not in sync with morning-glories
Inside, toes wriggling ready for adventures
Presence compensate masked silent words and pictures 

Without care or responsibility of the other, life ponders 
To go to wherever the wind blows
And may return when and if the desert snows
Stay until love for the unacquainted grows
Whereby with eyes closed, sound and scent complete the puzzles
 
For years the index finger traced dusty new maps
Travel opportunity arrived and seized with giant steps
The boots walk now on the dust trails left by that finger
Priceless God's gifts beckon them to linger 

Poem :: Not The Last Farewell

Now it is time as limbs turn to black
Nurse confirmed there's no turning back
Your fight with your own fading light 
We hold the love with all our might 

The year was indigestible 
Our grief discernible 
The cancerous cells multiplied 
with great speed. Our hope pacified

No words could scribe your grievances 
Untimely final breath advances  
We fear for you, your personal death 
As you tightly hold to each warm breath

Good bye would not leave from these lips 
For fear of disturbing the night thieves
May we meet in the next life or when
I hope to see you later then

Poem :: Snow

Adorned in gear from head to toe
At the rental shop all can be seen was cold
Blue sky greeted hello that morning
Snow clouds were already forming 

Heavy boots gravitated toward the timber floor 
Another novice earmarked to be sore 
Its scars stored stories of adventures
Depicted somewhat in songs and pictures

Large window beckoned towards his way
26 years I have waited for today 
Upon closer inspection, a pair came down together!
Another one! Followed by another!

Like a robot equipped with new stiff pegs
Click clacked the overly large body down the wet steps 
Eyes wide like two oversized glass marble specimen
Unblinking in awe of the phenomenon

One landed softly on the eyelashes
Another melted as soon as it touched the inhabitable hand 
Frozen tongue stuck out, surprisingly bland

Someone switched a button on my back
Sprung up and down like a maniac
Bormio populated with snow angels so heavenly
Their missing eyes stare back at the heavens quietly

Paused until the last panettone crumb was finished
Then in droves they came famished 
For days they were cooped 
Until every last bite was scooped 

Long caterpillars gracefully glide 
Unashamedly I screamed down the slide
Like a runaway bowling ball 
Came crashing down and stalled

Skis crossed like uncoordinated chopsticks 
Were they not automatically fitted with brakes?
Plain white pages filled with scribbles
Carved with one or two lines and stumbles 

Every morning at breakfast ritually
The lady shouted affectionately  
In hope the volume compensated understanding
If our brains were echoing

I miss her when I remember 
Its short wonderful life I ponder 
At times so wild and tame 
It is as pure as my name 

Poem :: Three Times A Day

Eat time not play time
Is that helpful? Fine!
Stop gesticulating 
Please no complaining
Should I count?

Five
Stop it! Focus! It will spill
Your mouth is too full
Stop winding each other up
Two hands on the cup
Cutlery please
 
Four
Stop making mess
Is this a test?
I will take it away
Fingers away 
Cutlery please

Three
Fork for vegetables will be nice
Spoon for rice
Knife is for cutting 
Food is not for playing
Cutlery please

Two 
Don't lick the knife 
Watch out for the rice
Lean forward
Two cutlery at a time will be awkward
Cutlery please

One
Stop picking
Stop staring
Eat properly
Stop being silly 
Cutlery please

Are you full?
Thomas! Ella Mae!
Plate closer
Look at the state of the floor
Well done 

Poem :: Heatwave

Drip. Drip. Drip drip drip
43 degree heat too much to bear
Birds' dry beaks wide open with blank death stare
Three days relentless blast of roasted air
Drowning. Is there relief anywhere?

Drip. Drip. Drip drip drip
Flies dizzy whizzing round helter skelter 
Frantically in search of some water
These winged torpedoes become nuisances
Limp scarecrow swats in a storm incites riddance  

Drip. Drip. Drip drip drip
Salt lines train slowly down the cracked surface 
Soaking wet in this hot desolate furnace
Heat haze girdling to a point of absurd
Dried worm left by a thirsty heat stroked bird 

Drip. Drip. Drip drip drip
Lick cracked lips taste bitterly sweet
Cone three stories high is quite a feat
Billabong mirages appear hither
Disheartened when they sink into nether 

Drip. Drip. Drip drip drip
Strip. Strip. Strip strip strip 
Sticky second skin eagerly rip
Stark naked star on fire
Summer heat I fail to desire 

Poem :: Wasp

The lone wasp severely stares
Unaware to feign ignorance
The prey awaits his damnation
The predator in preparation 

Licks his mandibles deliciously
Compound eyes pause watching curiously 
Wings' vibrations are furious
His intention verifiably dubious

Pounces
Lunges
Maims 
Kills

One crushed dead
Gorges until bloated
At an incredible speed
He gloats of his greed

Care less for vegetarians 
Quite a malleable sectarian 
When his religion is confronted
All claws are drawn 

Rapid fire complex communication
At times purely for satisfaction 
Strenuous for others' to speak
Threats become his red steaks 

Elaborate hierarchy in his society
Best to learn this quickly
Those who do not conform 
Devoured in a violent storm 

Nobody wants to be like him 
Not that anyone wish to be
I became one and I screamed 
And I will never break free

Poem :: Peas

Thoughts unshielded by cloth so sheer
The image of you becomes clear
Dimpled smile that is just so fair
Your long swishy tied-back black hair

Mesmerised by old memories
Hypnotised by swirling journeys 
Stoned blind on psychedelic drugs
But forgiven for being smug

Were at age of innocence
Back then we had a whole lot sense
Two different lone peas in a pod
"Friends? It's impossible!" they thought

Talked 'til our throats were burning
Shared stories 'til sides were stinging
Samurai hair brushes your face
What?! Who cares if different in race?

Our then clock ticked to an end
The seconds hand froze to a stand  
Never thought I would go away
You only had the choice to stay

Letters became a sad dribble
New lives made the closeness feeble  
The peas' existence just vanished 
Like sinners they were too banished 

Luck gently swayed to their side
The rustling winds knew and they blew
The two still very different peas
Bounced together, apart by sea

Gaps in my memories are filled 
Though not all sweet whispers are spilled 
Time is kind to now find and bind
These two peas are one of a kind 

Poem :: Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of gentlemen 
Until I met this beast who proclaimed he was one

Brown greasy coat merged into the beard with
Two streaks of white extend his crooked teeth
One claw held a cold soggy peach 
The other, a chalk hung like cigarette 
Amongst Bunsen burners and pipettes
He believed all was harmless jest

A tiny speck of respect vanished
As the joke was told
"Untie the Boongs loose to run amok 
Armed with pitiful blunted forks
At the school's pocked marked grounds
Arrows shoot them down 
They can cower behind the old pine tree"
I no longer take chemistry 

Poem :: Panoptes

Panoptes' eyes watching 
Lounge room window pausing 
Eyes darting for bicycled man's 
Random staccato movements 
Stuttering across the pane 
So much so the eyes strained

Previously he was seen 
Armed with a bat and scream 
Swung wild at a swooping 
Bird whose nest it was protecting
He was an angry purple 
Octopus spewed blue rumble

That day Panoptes laughed 
But not today, not today

The bicycled man borne
His future disguised in 
A brown A3 envelope 
Could time change the future?
Panoptes pondered but
Knew there was just no hope

Mathematics was a bore 
Shuddered cold to the core 
He stood there uninspiring
Mumble monotonously
Numbers and symbols 
The exam was a jumble 

Geography was terrible
Mentally unstable 
His father died recently
"Turn to page thirty three"
Hid behind the desk to mourn
Panoptes' heart was torn 

English was uninspiring
Found it soulfully tiring
As words were merely a jest
Mrs. Bristow was his best
But she went over the crest
Alone he was left 

Biology fell under duress
Shame! It made him depressed
It was his favourite
Just like maple syrup
A good teacher is the criterion
For a firm foundation  

Arts was his only hope
She extended his scope
Sfumato Cinquecento
Chiaroscuro Fresco
She showed him the world 
As an obtainable pearl 

He jumped at the sight of him
Bid adieu and closed the door 
Grabbed his future and clawed
To the o-Bahn tracks and 
He knew not the end
destination nor place to hide

Found solace in Museum 
Studied by glassed specimens
Their warm affinity
Held him closely
Offered gracious respite 
Away from his cruel life 

Alas, bravely in solitude
He braced his attitude
As Summer sun dazzled
His optics zapped and sizzled
When once they became sound
Climbed on a green lawn mound

Panopticon at work
Sketches of trees and quirks
The future could be paused 
Shadows metamorphosed 
Crawled creepily across 
Time temporary at loss

As paper ripped sutures
Severed went his future 
He cried faintly alone 
A whole year he bemoaned
By home time it was late
Father thought he was dead

Poem :: Belong

Ching Chong
Here is not where you belong 
Go back to where you come from 

Nip
This is not your country
How can you see Slanty?

Dim sim
Return with your boat
Pray to your Gods it floats 

Chink
Go out with your own kind
Another Ching Chong you find

Poem :: Migrate

Clouds parted abandoning place
Give the back of my hand a wave
Treasured memories keeping pace

Pupils dilate for new home land
Ears pricked to gather where we stand
Tails wagging with anticipation
Abundance with excitement and trepidation

Slow tentative infant steps 
Floating bubbles wobble 
Sway quivering stumble
The smooth road someone stole
Little by little, no hand to hold 

Endless sea of flat land
Straightened squid ink fettuccini strands
Small buildings finely grated 
Over-blanched broccoli sparsely spread
Against blue sky scattered white bread

But what is a hammer without its handle
Struggled to put food on the table
Did not expect it to reach this state
Absent thoughts to be ever served from a golden plate

Sacrifices made were obvious
Prayed children were oblivious
Confidence hit rock bottom
The insults you cannot fathom

Children's role is to study
Stress radars detect peaks steadily
Uniforms two sizes too big
Starved Batman dressed in loose drape
One of many ways to scrimp and save

Roof over heads with mortgage up to the neck
Six mouths to feed with one broken back
Each bowl left with no spare crumb 
Neither be defeated nor succumb 

Dachshunds and dobermans are long gone
Provided with new homes but one
He died from a broken lonely heart
Best In Show cups refused to depart

Too hot too cold Junction Market
Hold empty shopping baskets
Nothing sold all weekend
Brickworks' another tortuous place held by a strand
Three months of profit is less than a grand 

Perseverance creates hope
We can finally cope
Spider web mended in patches
In the end it still catches
Fond memories of new and old
Multiply forever in tenfold

Poem :: Autumn

Heart flutters at the thought of your return
Crescendo anticipated desire burns
Warm air begins to change and turn 

Trees slowly doze and soothe
Yellow red brown leaves loop swoop underfoot 
Animals squirrel away their loot

All year long energies gradually diminish
Silver moon aglow helps to replenish
Hibernation for some is a fetish 

Caramelised almonds drown the cold air 
This thought too much for taste buds to bear
Storytelling old tales starts on the rocking chair 

Relaxed shoulders become swollen 
Gathered scarfs and hats woollen 
Misunderstandings are forgiven

Conkers kiss by songs of circle
Strum taut strings as fire singe 
Music foraging reduced to binge 

Autumn harvest pumpkins abound
Hearty and comforting food surround
Reasons to love and live are found

Poem :: Shrimpy

Hello dear friend 
From a red tub
Mud clear tail end 
Size of a grub

BG Aunty
Sat by the tap
Is not crazy
Heads off quick snap  

This one's alive
Blinked right at me
Need to survive
Take him! It's free

Run home next door
For my Shrimpy
One pair of claws
Hold me tightly

Tickle pebbles
Graceful marches
Hide and seek games
Appear the same 

River fish food
Brave the leeches
Careful you fool
Scary creatures 

Please be my muse 
Just don't refuse
Keep me at ease
My dear friend please 

Poem :: One Fine Day

One fine day
You decide to stay 
By my side for a play

One fine day
You keep me warm
Cloak me from becoming forlorn 

One fine day
You give me light
Guide my soul to a place so bright

One fine day
You hold my hand
Lead me along the golden sand

One fine day
You sing a song
Keep faith that I belong 

One fine day
You whisper kind words
Transport my fate to better world

One fine day
You morph as my seat
When I expect it the least 

One fine day
I return the favour
Of you being my saviour 

Poem :: Stillness

Floating on the River Murray
The warmest light gradually dimmed
Stillness begins settling its way

Feathered wings rest in their place
Roosting upon outstretched arms
Camouflaged in dark embrace

Deafening silence is thunderous
Broken by mirrored heartbeats 
Lovers filled with promises 

Quiet winged ballerinas dressed in black
Dance like shadow puppets in great distress
Comforted by light peeking through the cracks

Happiness is peaceful silent stillness
Of its black mirrored mercury surface
Brings slightly curving burgundy red lips

Poem :: Second

Water gushed onto the timber floor

Four minutes apart! Quick out the door!
Indeed Mickey the cat is confused 
Past midnight Dave drives, no time to lose
Milk float blocks path, refuses to move
Hey! Time to arrive. Who needs to prove?

Giant black cat eyes keep watch at bay 
Whittington's ceiling paint peels away
Filled full of gas and air in the head
Consciousness numbed, not to be afraid 
Adrenaline to accelerate
Your presence I so anticipate

Purring voices repeat loud to soft
Swaddled tightly wrapped in cotton cloth
Take deep breaths, warm love is here to stay
Elation takes place, feels blessed today

 

Poem :: First

Long short stroll along Shepherds Walk

Night sky drizzled echoing throbs
A fox startled and scaled the wall
Returning to its offspring's call

Bags packed with mine and tiny clothes 
Are neither pink or blue just true
Hours passed as the time is near
For us to be together here

80's music blaring afar
Is this going to leave a scar?
I can feel you, I can hear too
Nine months came and now I am blue
For us to meet your face is due

Alas your Daddy places you 
Upon my warm and naked skin
Tiny heartbeats bring purely bliss 
My being starts to be at ease

Wrinkles on my mind ironed out
By sweet smell, occasional pouts
Long ago's anger, despair, pain 
Transported to another plane