"Look Pa!" and I look
a hand an eye
a playground nook
and I smile
that's all it took
another image
for my photo book
Photography days #31.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Walking Boundary Hill Road in dappled sun
from the Mannas and Blue Gums lining the run
the trees are magnificent and so is the landscape
when you are walking here the feeling is great
Photography days #30.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Do not become a writer
because there is so much to say
there are so many people saying it
tongues never in the way
do not become a writer
everything has been said
by children in their mother's arms
by lords and ladies lying dead
do not become a writer
calm the words falling from your head
distribute them elsewhere
into conversation instead
do not become a writer
the research will drive you crazy
and when you aren't doing it
you'll be calling yourself lazy
do not become a writer
the work that is written down
may well be your epitaph
when the regime comes to town
do not become a writer
tortured by your words
never enough to say the things
you always wanted read
do not become a writer
your partner will claim rights
to the lost hours of writing
to the sitting up at nights
do not become a writer
your opinion will be your end
mouth of ashes words and clashes
an addiction to pressing send
do not become a writer
no one will ever publish you
they'll only say to your face
just to yourself be true
Poetry days #36
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
this shedding Blue-tongued lizard
discards its skin
to reveal anew
the true colours within
Photography days #29.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
black swan glides smoothly by
ancient red gums standing high
take a breath let out a sigh
enjoy the moment no asking why
Photography days #28.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Hold those words as one beloved
hold them close to your chest and let time slip
step outside time as one embraced
in the arms of poems that hold you in their grip
be taken to that strange dimension
where all is compressed and distilled
into new forms of truth turned this way and that
by the bent of the poet’s will
reminded of who we truly are
by words that by being will never lie
weep laugh and gasp in that suspension of time
being far from everywhere yet ever closer by
with thanks to Marcella Polain (Ed) Australian Poetry Anthology Volume 11, Foreword II, Australian Poetry Ltd. 2024
Poetry days #
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Secretly
we meet as separate, boy and girl
but take each other’s hand for company
and together in our own world
forget
their world which has split us, violently
we tarry a while, for our regret
is felt both deeply and silently
to give up our child before our prime
when all we wanted was decency
all we needed was more time
to be a family and only
to be with each other as three together
instead of separate and lonely
Poetry days #34.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Fallen maple leaf
Colour faded to dull brown
Winter is coming
Fallen maple leaf
Together we fall to ground
Winter is coming
Poetry days #33.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Everybody is nobody
did you know?
nobody is everybody
in the end
with nothing to show
Poetry days #32.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This pardalote resides near the ground
a nest, burrow or embankment
"sleep dee dee" is its call
a sighting generates excitement
Photography days #27.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
A vivid sun rose from the east
it offered me a good day
my withered body sought solace
in what was promised in that way
I rose to greet and meet the sun
looking forward to its promise
my creaking bones and stiffened joints arose
with only a little grimace
I followed the sun throughout the day
from sunroom to verandah
seeking light absorbing heat
with more vigour and more candour
no pain relief was necessary as the day progressed
I calmly bathed in soaking sun
therapy at its best
I gave thanks for another day
of appreciating the sun
its warmth and illumination of the world
was delightful to this one
as sick as I may be
every coming day
I return to partial health
as the sun rays
wash themselves over me
with their golden wealth
and so the night too
looks a little less grim
as the suns light fades and the evening chill
slowly settles in
I wrap myself in a blanket
I sip hot tea and sit
by a warming fire never the sun
but I take what I can get
as the aches return the cramps begin
I look forward to tomorrow
and to the east I’ll turn my gaze
hoping for a little more sun to borrow
Poetry Days #31.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work
We witness their leaving like smoke in the wind
the wildlife departure impossible to rescind
following First Nations people out of the bush
into memory alone at an increasing rush
when we came here there were many koalas just 16 years ago
now their sighting is uncommon as they falter and go
and the freshwater crays I haven’t seen for five years
the metal blue of their backs absent - extinction fears
there once was a blackfish but it also is gone
from the spring creek below us it once called home
and the robins are fewer where they once dominated
the platypus just hanging on from being eradicated
I’m sure the list is much longer but what more can one do
than try to protect what is left sheltered in a zoo
more people and cars, disease, cats, foxes, more stock
more land cleared, less native food, climate change, ticking clock
we should know better but our efforts are weak
we talk local but the world must now deliver what we seek
Poetry days #30.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Melbourne’s Yarra River and embankment can be busy places. I have published some of these photos before, but thought this group made a nice new set.
It's the river that binds
Melbourne's spreading towers
to the city
and when the weather is good
it looks oh so pretty!
Photography days #26.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
I put a penny in my pocket
and on the way I lost it
I lost it, I lost it,
and on the way I lost it.
Ref: traditional nursery rhyme 'A Tisket a Tasket'
Photography days #25.
The photo is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my workload.
chirping for attention
mouths always open
feeding is a frenzy
chicks ever hoping
Photography days #24.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Baby sister is deep asleep
It is time for father and son
"Tell me a new story dad,"
"make it a really good one!"
Photography days #23.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Gaia is wounded, Mars beckons
blue is blue, red still angry
Gaia stains carbon black
Mars stained bloody red long ago
Gaia weeps for her children
potent lively lush and green
Mars impotent red rocks and dust
longs for his own offspring
Mars pleads save them Gaia
build great machines
oxygenate the red planet
with a new rusty sheen
Mars pleads save me Gaia
red oxygen
in your time of failing
save me from oblivion
Gaia harnesses depleted resources
Gaia cuts herself and tears
mother sacrifices for her children
Gaia strips herself bare
Her children develop red oxygen
designers discover scale
miners plunder her depths
engineers build to sail
Todays dVerse prompt from Sanna suggested sci fi poetry. I didn’t know it was a thing and now I am pleased to know it is a thing.
At the close of day
He looks around and says
Today was a very good day
Because on another day to come
This bare hill will be a forest of trees
Photography days #22.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
I try to build the high towers
you quickly tear them down
I try to exercise my powers
you remove my crown
all my efforts at good
you come for them with spades
determined that you should
send me back to the shade
you undermine my efforts
at being something better
you cripple my best endeavours
with termination letters
I was once the coach
but you do the money managing
I am now an impotent ghost
you’re the one real and damaging
whatever I did to you
I cannot work it out
when I ask the question
all you do is scream and shout
so I’ll leave you here
head for new towers on some far horizon
I can’t wait any longer
you and I are done
Poetry days #29.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
The rocks called the brave fishermen to their very edge
"come hither, fish from here"
they said
"the fish are biting
the catch is better
the fun is greater
the platform flatter
the water deeper
the violent waves
are more extreme"
challenging warnings
of danger
with a fisherman’s dream
the men they came
day in day out
urging each other
mucking about
telling fish tales
over waves in shouts
clad for spray
from towering spouts
casting long into the deep
swells without doubt
standing or sitting
amongst squawking gulls
from cold cans or hot thermos
taking deep pulls
reeling in their lines
casting again
taking on the elements
as true fishermen
when the king wave hit
most scrambled to safety
some saved by their fellows
dragged to the shore
others dragged down
were followed by bellows
where are you our friends
are you on oceans floor
or riding the waves
in hope of rescue
we will scour the surface
we will hope to find you
we’ll watch from the rocks
for any sign of life
or we’ll slowly trudge home
to inform family and wife
Poetry days #28.
The writing is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
The star that fell as a bright flaring slash across the sky was really a meteor
the dull star that brightens then fades over weeks in the night above is really a comet
the star that arcs in a consistent orbit lit in the heavens is really an artificial satellite
if ever a star was to really fall toward earth the solar system would simply ignite
There is no Father Christmas
Poetry days #26
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Accessible walks are such a wonderful thing
getting all people out to enjoy nature and sun
for me, it is a matter of strategic dreaming
that I will publish each accessible walk for everyone
the pleasure I see in enjoyed natural spaces
and landscaped gardens designed for all
the smiles on all young and adult faces
as they embark on a walk at nature's call
feeling healthier and fitter for being outside
as they see the sights on a walk or a roll
and so much mentally better inside
breaking the chains of confinement is a worthy goal
If you are looking for an accessible walk in Victoria, this not for profit site is where we publish: https://walkingmaps.com.au/accessible-walks
Poetry days #25
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This picnic table had a great view of the sea
but it was what was behind that distracted me
when I turned these twisted elongated branches
were reaching at me with strong twiggy pincers
their prehensile limbs moving into my space
their sinister demeanour put a frown on my face
I was sure as I sat that these ti-trees did creep
I was sure as I sat that my body they did seek
before being encased in the arms of these woods
I got up and ran while I felt I still could
Poetry days #24.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
The one on the left said, "What will we do?
I think share all our seed, what about you two?"
The one on the right said, "I've earned more than you."
"I'll be taking full earnings, as is my due!"
The one in the middle said, "Be reasonable." On cue.
"There's no need to bicker, dissent or argue.
Let's eat what we need and let some accrue."
The way forward was set by this Yellow-tailed black guru.
Poetry days #22.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
poetography.ink 