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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Poetry days #17. I wrote this during covid and can’t remember if it ever went onto the blog. Apologies if you have read it before and were looking forward to something new.
All work is my own and subject to copyright. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
Ref: Photos are of my copy of ‘Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles. Songs written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. All lyrics copyright 1967 for the world by Northern Songs Ltd. England. E. M. I. Records Parlophone (The Gramophone Co. Ltd.). Hayes – Middlesex – England. Made and printed in Great Britain. Produced by George Martin. Cover by M C Productions and The Apple. Staged by Peter Blake and Jann Horwarth photographed by Micael Cooper. Wax figures by Madame Tussauds. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
The first song I remember on the radio went "yeah, yeah, yeah"
and I was hooked by The Beatles ever after
consequently I grew my hair, hair, hair
and started collecting their records with a passion
their sound, their humour, their fashion and flair
saw me seeking out everything about them
I kept stories and photographs in scrap books with care
each song, disc and artwork a gem
with Sgt Pepper came another cultural dare
vivid record store window displays everywhere
I would walk into the stores to simply stare
at the remarkable gatefold covers before me
the front was a collage of iconic people paired
with the centrefold image of musical royalty
the back was a lyric sheet with every song bared
the sleeve a psychedelic wave of pink glory
Sgt Pepper cardboard cutouts were such a fun share
and the concept all came together
in the music of this diverse alter ego so rare
that my musical interests exploded
Sgt Pepper anecdote note float
Being a child, I had no money to buy this masterpiece
the cover art alone had me longing for a copy
at least on the radio they let it play, play, play
I listened, listened, listened
every day, day, day
when money was finally raised, raised, raised
enough to make my purchase
I rushed to the record store
I rushed to my home
I removed the inner sleeve
I gently slid out the immaculate shiny black vinyl disc
I put the record on the turntable
I ever so carefully lowered the needle
I turned out the lights
I sat midway between the speakers
with the album cover on my lap
my head resting back
my eyes closed
and for the first time
I heard the whole album through
'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
to 'A Day In the Life' ending with "Lucy Annie Allouette" (reversed tape repeating)
uninterrupted
floating high into this musical heaven created by musical gods
I was transported to a new world of artistic possibility
I praised, praised, praised
This week’s DVerse prompt is from Mish, Poetics: Inspired by Album Cover Art. I collect LPs as a hobby, so it was tough finding the right criteria for making a selection. But then I discovered I didn’t need to. The Sgt Pepper album cover is self selecting because it paved the way for everything wonderful that was to come. As much as I love all kinds of music and vinyl album art, it was The Beatles who paved the way for me.
Poetry Days #28
All poems are my own and subject to copyright. See the reference for cover art images sourced above. I do not use AI. I do not want AI to use my work.
This ancient place
of an ancient race
is nature's gallery
viewed from a balcony
Photography 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.
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.
They're swimming in the water
they're sunning on the bleachers
they're traditional old school
public pool
loving creatures
Photography 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.
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.
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