Replenish

Today I claim
softness
beneath my feathery doona
on a rainy day
with my cuddly dog curled
in the gentle curve
behind my knees

When I can no longer bear
the push and pull
of others' expectations
I claim these moments
breath by breath
caressed by silky sheets

With this safety
I succumb to timelessness
where all else can wait
while I simply
replenish

3/3/12

Slowly slowly

Shway shway across the desert -
releasing burdens there
shway shway endure the draining heat
make room for those who care
shway shway expel mirages
true feelings hurt yet heal
shway shway the barren desert
becomes a guiding wheel

(3/9/99)

Why

Mesmerised by spinning animations
mixed colours of the rainbow
angels, hearts and magical creations
the price is high
for that fleeting, winning feeling
passion runs dry
as greed encapsulates the soul
smoke fills the body
no match for the coal
the price is high
for the loss of the soul

(6/8/99 on poker machines)

Corrine

Sun shines brighter
silver coffin submerged
two sparrows sing
her soul free
from the pain she carried,
growing,
deep inside,
daily
pain disguised
killing love's essence
pain outlives her lifeless body
Last Goodbye
gathering, weeping, reminiscing
love must be stronger
conquering, feeling, being
Love

(31/7/99 Leppington, for Corrine)

Revolt of the munchkins

The wizard just was
said he knew it all
he was the dictator
we munchkins blindly, miserably obeyed
worthless munchkins
robotic, rigid
performing daily tasks
mundane
we all had our place,
by no choice of our own
a storm lingering, waiting
why???
dared to dream
fought evil battles
with one so close
intelligent yet dangerous wizard
anarcy! freedom!
war, darkness
truty, light

(July 1999)

The magic of Barcelona

The moon verges on full
twilight brings the streets alive
first star is seen
oh natural high I love you so

My soul expands
with each slow step
far out in the Incas
music was born,
for me this day
my soul awakes
sweet music provokes dance
oh natural high I love you so

La Rambla incites
self expression for all
breathing fire
under the stars of a Spanish sky
oh natural high I love you so
the magic of Barcelona

(Barcelona, 3/10/98 - meditating in a gorgeous church triggered the magic of the night)

Eternal

A taste of freedom
lingers forever
it may be forgotten -
for a while.
The feeling longs to emerge;
an angel's persistence
ensures the return

(Cesky Krumlov, July 1998, the synchronicity of meeting Nicole Eiden, a creative spirit and writer)

Familiar Faces

Familiar faces from unknown places
drawn together
possibilities
abundant, endless

Familiar faces from unknown places
resisting each other
with lessons to learn

Familiar faces from unkown places
I've been here before
will come again
face to face
with you

(written in Europe, July 1998)

Freedom Beach

The sky lit up with the lightning's energy
with it I was born
the sound of thunder in the distance

Fear repressed the memory
Insatiable soul
Did I do this?
The thunder gets closer

Constant search for lightning
outside energies gave glimpses -
but the void was never full
the thunder loses control,
piercing my soul

Fairies guide me
lightning strikes again
the thunder succumbs,
I can see

I needed the thunder to see the lightning
together they merge
the storm subsides,
I am me!

My soul sings freely to the universe

(Written in Sinai, Freedom Beach, 11/4/98)

Magical Moher

The screaming white children
fly beneath the transformed sea
all the while the wise cliff smiles -
for she knows

The sea crashes against her face,
exposing her to the elements.
The truth has forever moulded her smile.

A woman stands on the cliff
facing the sea
and smiles.
For the sea reflects the truth,
she succumbs to her fragility
which is, paradoxically, her strength

(March 1999, Cliffs of Moher, Ireland)

Age

Her orange juice full
her face frozen,
locked in age

The ticket seller approaches,
a warm breeze

Her lips move,
a spark in her eyes

She fleetingly feels the time
when her face was not frozen
her younger self oblivious to age
her orange juice empty
her life full

(6/8/99 CHP RSL Club)

Into the machine

Most mornings the Lebanese security guard greets her
Shalom!
Her face lights up
turning on poker machines
nostalgia sneaks in
Gliding through game parks
spinning zebras disappear
behind the smoky mist of gamblers

She's called to pyramids
her pager echoing Cairo's horns
'It took my money!' 'The green queen!'

She sings with longing
for all to hear,
but they remain oblivious
as keno numbers crowd television screens
'$10,000 has been won!'
whinging prevails...

She stops,
smiles to herself as they
spend the money she saved
to transform computer graphics
and travel into the machine


(I wrote this in 1999 whilst working in an RSL Club)

Yellow Fingers (written in 1999)

His sunlight-bathed crown waved,
leaf-fingers yellow, a tired sun
She danced in autumn's shower
arms flung above her head
touching petrified leaves

Clouds she passed earlier
on a fuelled bird
wept tropical tears
preparing cushioned mud coffins

Naked he mourned
absent yellow fingers

(written in Hervey Bay on a soulful solitary trip)

From ordinary to extraordinary

Indelible Spirit

I never held your small soft hand
Nor felt the welcome weight of you
Whispers by the waterfall
Promises flowing, visions forming

In my mind I saw you
Laughing on the effervescent beach
With your doting daddy
Hurley following, frolicking
His squirrel’s tail wagging in the salty air
I saw me, loving you beyond measure

Fragrant honeysuckle song awakening my senses
Kindling my personal power
Encircling the untrammelled terrain

A lakeside farewell
Myriad diamonds blinking greetings
From the watery expanse
A soulful walk into pain

Stillness

My tears amplify the space I have for you
I await your return
The slowness of grief
Urges me through the downpour

Beside the gushing waterfall of applause
my fearful hands unfurl