Tag Archives: Photography

East

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Lake Hume, Tallangatta, Victoria.
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

Witness

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Fewer Koalas visit us these days, Strathbogie Tableland, Victoria.
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.

14 Yarra views

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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.

Lost

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Searching for what has been lost, Princes Park, Prahran, Victoria.
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.

Spring beaks

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Grey Shrike Thrush chicks, Strathbogie Tableland, Victoria.
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.

Sleep time / story time

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Father and son walking sleeping daughter, Tarralla Creek, Croydon, Victoria.
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.

The environmentalist

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Tree planting, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria.
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.

Towers

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Cnr Exhibition & La Trobe streets, Melbourne, Victoria.
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

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Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo: Michael Taylor.
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.

Stars

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The first two, Strathbogie Tableland, Victoria.
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 for everyone

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Accessible walk, Lake Pertobe, Warrnambool, Victoria.
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.

Spooky table with a view

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Picnic table amongst coastal Ti-tree, Lorne, Victoria.
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.

Three Yellow-tailed black cockatoos

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Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, Strathbogie Forest.
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.

readwhat

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what we choose to read shapes our lives
who's the author
what's it mean
has it purpose
is it a screen

what's the story
why's it there
who will read
who cares

is it good
is it bad
is it happy 
is it sad

what's important
truth or lie
live or die

This dVerse Quadrille prompt was “What the what?” from De Jackson – for a poem of 44 words including the word “what”.

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

A springtime view from Boundary Hill

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View from Boundary Hill, Strathbogie Tableland, Victoria.
Bucolic scenes
the stuff of dreams
where farmland meets
bushland seats

Photography days #21.

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

Friendship

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Central Park, Malvern, Victoria.

Friendship in black and white.

Photography days #19.

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

The right way to go

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Old Mill, Nagambie, Victoria.
I was searching for a sign
the right way to go
I found it in an unexpected spot
and the sign did clearly show
in which direction to embark
it was the sign - I know

Photography days #17.

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

Spin

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Desertification in the Mallee, Victoria.
I never stopped the world
the world it never stopped me
until the day I forgot to pay
homage to nature’s way

the time I wrecked the world
was the time the world wrecked me
my influence and consequence
heated it by degrees

oh it kept spinning assuredly
you might claim there was no problem
but on the surface I
directed its death and then some

I am man, 
I said I can.
What am I bid? 
So, I did

Poetry days #18.

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

Bessie

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Bessie the knitted bear.
bessie is a bear
loved by our son
tucked under his chin
when he was young
now bessie is a bear
loved by his daughter
the love in bessie bear 
has well and truly caught her

Photography days #17.

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

Birdsong

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New Holland Honeyeater
The bird that spoke that first perfect note
was a revelation to its kin
because she could sing so beautifully
the other birds decided to join in

some of the birds variations heard
they felt they could do better
so they sang with melodies that made 
the landscape ring
and to each note
gave a letter

a chorus formed of singing birds 
who organised their songs
into works of art 
many species took part 
and for the choir
others came along

a feud broke out all about 
which birds sang best of the rest
unresolved each species kept 
their songs close to their chest
and so today when you hear each 
sing their special tweet 
be mindful that this is why
only one song can each species 
ever repeat

Poetry days #16.

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

In death

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Every soldier, once a child (family archive).
The lips are thin their colour grey
the hair is dull and lank
the skin is pallid
tugor at bay
the smell is fetid, rank
the wound is swollen
putrid, reddened
exposed are tissue and bone
what man lies here
dead and neglected?
what inspired him to roam?

the war that left him lying here
alone on hardened ground
did abandon him
as all wars will
to his silence amongst  
the furious sound

what home did he leave?
what cause was his?
that left him so cold and pale
so far from where he began
so distant from a family’s wail
with no one to grieve his lost soul
with none to respectfully lay him deep

we will take him to yet another hole
we will bury him amongst the others
in yet another heap

Poetry 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.

Alone

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I never loved another
no other ever loved me 
then how is it that I know love
and what it is that love should be
love is always on my mind
a want of love so kind
yet when I see others in love 
it only serves to remind
me of my days alone
such a feeling of unease

should I ever bring love home
I’ll ever strive to please

Poetry days #14.

All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want Ai to use my work.

Doing #02

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Eildon Pondage, Victoria.

If he, she or they can choose to do something pleasing or satisfying, it is quite likely that you can choose to do something pleasing or satisfying too.

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

Barber

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Barber of Seville, South Melbourne, Victoria.
The Barber of Seville
has loops of hair
fit to kill
a mo to rival any other 
and an affinity for 
his longhaired brothers.

Photography days #20.

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

Wheat

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Wheat crop Nagambie, Victoria.
Millions of hectares and more
under the scorching sun
the ripening crop a massive store
of protein again begun
drying off yellowing
all one plant just one
finally ready for harvesting
ton after ton after ton

wheat rain heat
rain heat wheat
repeat

Poetry days #19.

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