Do I need to say out loud That you are the closest I ever came to my person If only you didn't Have so many already
A brilliant and kind friend Is worth more than A golden ring inset With diamonds marking Decades of compromise
The most memorable and moving stories May be untranslatable Missed by your average listener Unless they can read body language
Since the unspeakable time One in 100 year devastation I grow accustomed to sitting In a crowded room surrounded by Empty seats of friends I've never forgotten
An artist captures the essence of my heartache Blue china bathed statue Raving about earl gray Other pleasantries In politest company
Handle with Care inspired by Jooyun’s story, 2024. Displayed at Tasmania Museum and Art Gallery exhibit re/JOY. Artist Vipoo Srivilasa.
Wholly unbroken The line between the time You told me all your stories To now I write them out Though not mine to tell Story keeper, holding closely Treasuring artwork on cigarette packets In New Orleans Erecting tents on byways of Canada Evading bears A sense of place is important Venturing out beyond all civilisation Loved ones' names in acknowledgements On all the field papers I fade and fall rather than reach for such stardom The earth and all its impact Wakes me from timestamped memories With beers in gaudy bars Canadian moosehead overlooking That look, watching waiting, startled - Only to flee into the wilderness again
There's a time not so long ago It still plays in my mind Like the little girl who giggled Hung her monkey arms around Your neck and made you laugh and smile so much Across the crowded venue Now the size of an adult She sits squarely at me and stares Just like my girl does I stared back too Masks up to our eyes What does she want to know? A silent reply Yes, I love her too
Moments like these can be found on the brink of never after They live on as an image that can never be erased Come what may
Artist: Lucienne Rickard, ecology studies. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
So persuaded by Her will, was I As she left me So did I. Willing her To return To fill The void while Learning to love All the space Galaxies inside. To explore Edge of unknown Resides within The words 'I will...'
A love that sinks deep Into your bones Though cold grows stronger Ache buries deeper A smile placebo Prolonged relief If I could just see her One more time
We play, rest, rise Woven skein unwinding Houses apart, river abreast Taking tea on balcony
Always a mystery of two minds No sensation for downcast eyes Cascading words lost and find Fruitless picking out motivations
The bottom of pot, cooled Renewed, steeped brew simmering heat Rose between two cheeks
A blush sweet from scorching sun Below 42 degrees Blistering sleet
Homebody, I nest alone Full grown tenderlings Binding fallen threads Of existence into thermal weave
So that you, like father Can protect and heal wind kissed skin As salty drops slide winsomly A welcome sting. Long missed love
Ursula Halpin, (1972- ) ‘Displaced Mary, Mother of hope’ ~ inspired by Irish lace. Weaves stories of women and fragmented families. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Twist exhibition 2023
Count the stars of heaven 