Creating new traditions
Out of thin air
For clues I peruse
A loved one's mother's
Poetry book
Counting down the days
Till Santa's sleigh
In haiku
Tickled pink my toes
Wriggle in bed
Family stories never told
I buy the books instead

Creating new traditions
Out of thin air
For clues I peruse
A loved one's mother's
Poetry book
Counting down the days
Till Santa's sleigh
In haiku
Tickled pink my toes
Wriggle in bed
Family stories never told
I buy the books instead

We can only put
One foot in front
Of the other
That’s all we can do
Until we stop
Breathless
To take in the view
Glacial mountain range
Put all on display
All her best petals
Foliage, seeds and fruit
Revealed to me
Native orchid colony
Applauds our ascent
And safe return
Joy and wonder exceeds
Pinch in my knees
Offspring bound uphill
Leaving me as the only
Breath that I hear
Eyes cloud over
Thoughts of one
This path does treat
In quilt of snow
A patchwork of memory
From few photos
She keeps me at arms reach
This gondwanan sanctuary
I can neither see her
Up close - the tarns
Just one rocky outcrop
Too far
Maybe in autumn we'll meet
She is most popular
Admire liquid pools
Of ancient history
Sun's spotlight
Puts on a show
She is made for this
Alpine bloodline
My blood runs red
As the waratahs
Swaying on adrenalin
Dizzying heights
A bird's nest meets me
In my loneliness
Overcast sky blinds
What parrots were they?
Left with my thoughts
Never really alone
Another mountain
I've climbed

Gems of the depths
On display
Along effervescent
Fringe of tussling waves
Generous she is
As I turn to leave
She catches my eye
Again

If missi g her were
A long exhale
Ocean begs me
To breathe

No greater power
Has she
Who speaks truth
Unapologetically
Sings her song
Wholeheartedly
Treads her path
Boldly onwards
Though steep

I am a saltwater woman
I live for the shoreline
Motions of waves
Racing my heart
Pounding the beat
Thrill of creatures
Beneath my feet
Telling me I am alive
I am free

Build a shrine to all the ones
Who loved you enough
And why not?
A cairn to help you
Find your way
When the going is rough
Immerse yourself
Delicious scents
Thoughtful gifts
Writing implements
Joyous plants
Delicate origami cranes
Candles to light
Dark soul of night
Brightly coloured twine
Yarn woven into warmth
Chosen pieces
Sensory overwhelm
Typed pages of novels
And kind self help
Just breathe it in
Then let it go
The yarns that fell
As ends to the floor

It only comes to us
As a realisation
When we experience
Real love in pure form
Do we decide
Not to settle
For anything less
As if new potential
Latent for decades
Awakens from our chest
A new and unfamiliar
Creature resides
Within our precious
Years of life so few
Urging you to live
To the fullest
Knowing what you need
To thrive

Oft repeated question
now erased
Answer to that look
upon your face
Gaze of ruminations
awe and wonder
In the presence
of a lover
never replaced

As time is short
No kid could live
In a candy store
So sweet revival
Of my soul
Happens in a week
Unmeditated
Two minds collide
Barely sleep
Smile and stories
To be shared
Tea and toes
Limbs entwined
In brief space
Of our lives
Delving into
Love from afar
Greeting new day
Goodbyes harder
To say with words
