






Photography days #15.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.







Photography days #15.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Oh my God!
I never knew!
who would have thought,
they could do that to you?
Photography days #13.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want Ai to use my work.

I accept the dew of early morn as through golden hour I walk
the brittle sun of dawn is come
to break on every dewy stem and stalk
an ascending wave it pushes away nights waning mantle of grey
seeking out each shaded hollow where the sprites of night still play
as my feet dampen and my spirits rise with every step I take
i feel the joy inside of me stir peacefully to fully awake
the first touch of warmth upon my skin bodes well for another day
i turn my face to far horizon where sun breaks cover with glorious rays
vivid pinks and yellows dress the sky in resplendent heavenly garb
the first full shafts of light to pierce the dew delight with rainbowed prisms and shards
they brush the earth with tantalising grace promise of the day to come
I consider that prospect as I return to the place where I came from
my home upon the hill does beckon lit in tones of gold
breakfast awaits and children’s smiles call me back to the fold
as I return in new light I reflect on mornings journey through rising mist
toward embracing tasks ahead, now worry off my list
as mornings clarity prepares me for the next path
I am to tread
this moment of pure atmosphere also readies me
I am dewly led
Poetry days #12.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

A dreamy filter diffuses the sun
path, walking and sun all become one
the foliage the light the green and the gold
wombolano morning a sight to behold
Photography days #12.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Untouched by day by moon unlit
cold resting place for those deemed fit
high rank and majesty interned in stone
where we wander wondering how alone
these lives and deaths were really spent
kings and queens of this cold tent
dust to dust settles in this lifeless place
humanity lost from each rigid face
symbols of life symbols of death
no spark of life each lonely wraith
just like others humble, pauper or brave
their lives came to nought but another grave
Poetry days #10.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

for the clearest view
here's what to do
climb the highest mountain
to just above the snowline
where the trees fade away
on a clear blue day
Photography days #10.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.














There is a garden in the Dandenong Ranges
I call it Alfred Nick
after its long departed owner
who bequeathed it to our state
There are many gardens in the Ranges
but this one is the pick
of autumnal Ranges' splendour
vivid colour above
below lying thick
I drive the winding roads most every autumn
with camera in my hand
at the gates I pause
deeply breathe crisp mountain air
in anticipation of trees so grand
there is a lake in the Ranges
in the garden I call Alfred Nick
in autumn leaves make artful arrangements
on the surface
ephemeral so be quick
in this magical place full of growth and life
the photography is opportunistic
where human design and nature's creations
blend native, exotic and mystic
where ethereal mists linger and clear
for ambient blur and clarity rarely seen
in one place at one time
without ever repeating
every visit is unique
every visit is a joy
every vista a delight
reigniting the spark in
every nature loving
man, woman, girl and boy
For this week’s dVerse prompt Punam has asked we poets to write of autumn. My favourite season. The prompt speaks of love, so I present one of my autumn loves – Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

evening light
green shed machine shed
for grass and pruning nicely cropped
wood shed drying shed
wood split and chopped
Photography days #09
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Time forgive me
I have not used you well
I lived without a thought
given to your passing
your never ending
support of which I ought
have appreciated
gratefully respected
sincerely thanked upon my soul
because now I know
you will let me go
you are not mine to control
infinite time
you will pay me no mind
and at your pleasure
you will swallow me whole
Poetry days #08.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Of the mountains
of the peaks
of the hills and valleys steep
I the mountain
man of woodland
keep my forest keep
in the rivers
in the lakes
in the waters deep
I bathe and water
fish for supper
pull my oars asweep
i am a hunter
and life preserver
at loss in grief I weep
at end of day
abed I lay
to drop to restful sleep
Poetry days #07.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

we look this way
we look that
we raise our binoculars
we have a chat
we love the birds
everywhere we see
delightful birds
we watch with glee
Poetry days #07.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.





In Merimbula the birds
don't need too many words
to describe their grace and beauty
let's just say they are all mighty
Photography days #06. For the walking map and description I have published on Victoria Walks see: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/5767
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

I walked into the apartment
on a turbulent afternoon
in my tiny slice of sky
ominous clouds did loom
the titans were massing
for a deadly contest
but through my small window
I could see no conquest
Poetry days #06.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Fierce sunshine challenges an emerging breeze,
"Take me on if you will, my radiant expertise".
Breeze stays gentle, slowly brings summer rain.
"Well sunshine, would you challenge me again?"
Poetry days #04.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want Ai to use my work.

A rainbow cast its arcing spell
across the horizon from hill to dell
sweet colours did the people see
I saw an enchanted mystery
from where I stood the vivid arch
did move as I moved across the path
no matter how I tried to catch its base
it slipped from me with every pace
I could not solve this riddle before me
for it faded, just as magically
as it appeared in pastel splendour
and so my query had to end there
Poetry days #03.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

You gave my day a lift
with the words you gave me as a gift
and the things you did
I don’t know if you knew
but especially coming from you
I took them straight to heart
and I’m grateful for your part
in making my day special
right from the very start
that was a nice thing that you said
and nice things that you did
Poetry days #01. Find the path here: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/mount-kosciuszko-summit-walk
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.

Just confirming I'm the right bird in the right place
Lakeside - check
Reed beds - check
Tasty aquatic life - check
Big grey bird, yellow legs, long neck, spear like beak, white face.
This photo was taken while creating a lakeside accessible walking map for people who use mobility aids. You can view it here: Edwardes Lake Accessible Walk.
Photography days #03. All work is my own. I do not use AI.

A photo a day #02.
Walking the Strathbogie Ranges has many rewards. The landscapes, waterways and native flora are simply beautiful.
A gallery of 10 images. To see the full photos click an image, then use the arrows to scroll.










There is also a great walking path along Stoney Creek here. You can view the Victoria Walks’ walking map I have published here: https://walkingmaps.com.au/walk/5731

Where the river meets the sea
I’ll wait patiently
until your ship comes in
carrying you to my smiles
we’ll walk the miles and miles
to a place to begin again
upriver to where small streams
become the water of river dreams
where meadows grow green under
skies of sun and thunder
there we’ll settle on high ground
ever fertile and sound
we’ll labour to work the earth
and give a family birth
a family that will grow
to work together and sow
under that mantle of blue and grey
after years and many a day
we will turn to each other and say
the life we chose has been a good one
as good as the river is long
to its banks we will continue to go
hand in hand
watching the river flow

Like paper to the wind
my thoughts I scatter here
unable to rescind
I let them travel where
I know not what they’ll achieve
succeed with or accomplish
I fear they’ll find readers
with care only to admonish
then there is the question
why bother anyway?
so many smarter and stupider minds
have so much more to say
and louder voices
because they so often agree
to speak their thoughts
only to celebrity
a different purpose is theirs
to be heard no matter what
without the necessity
of thinking intelligently
of sharing something
of value they have got
I speak simply
of observations
of thoughts I mull over
instead
I speak of imagery
of the wonders of earth
that crowd
inside my head

Fragile like a bubble floating gentle on a breeze
uncertain airy eddies dropping it and raising it with ease
a dip toward a branch and a child waits for it to pop
breath held eyes wide standing still mid hop
then it spirals up just before the moment
a random push to nowhere special
rescued by chance
bound only by circumstance
the brittle coloured shiny shell wafer thin and precious
we await another chance buffeting the waiting is delicious
to influence things the child waves hands and blows with her small mouth
she hopes to help it survive the ground disaster beckons from the south
her little puffs send fragile bubble in unintended directions
she watches amazed the effect she has on the subject of her affection
her will her thought her decision to act on the outcome she desires
embolden her to further acts beyond bubbles she aspires
eventually the bubble pops its streaky rainbow skin
we both sigh in satisfaction at its inevitable oily end
as it bursts in prism lit spray asunder
the fragile bubble also releases wonder
the child and I are compelled to create more of these globular gems
to see what control we can exercise what we can contrive with them
such is human life

Feeling jaded I walked around the block on one of those particularly clean and crisp Melbourne autumn mornings
the type only Melbourne seems to have
the sun was bright and immersively warm every time you emerged from cold dark shadows
the sky was a spectacular sky blue blue blue all the way to the top
everything was precisely defined like it had been edged with the blackest finest fine liner pen
I found a banksia bud on the ground and picked it up for closer examination
nature had loaded it with deep brown lidded eyes in a repeating pattern designed to go on forever
lighter brown probosci with vivid tan tips emerged from between each eye and the nett result was glorious
awe and wonder
jaded faded

lovers
a contradiction
the joyful anticipation of time spent together is heightened by the inevitability of separation
whether one waits for the other to arrive or the timing is perfect
buoyant hearts rush to the coming
the anticipation of separation casts a shadow over time spent together
time to dread and then watch the leaving
heavy hearts drag at the going
both will love and hate the preoccupying delirium of the in between
lovers
linger and pine long