Unwritten

Months measured in countdowns
Deadlines, edits, launch
What life might be as an author
All novel ideas float
On whimsical breeze
Over my head
Into another's ears
Genre's, titles and characters
Dance in my dreams
Yet, eternally poised pen
Drips ink of lament
A few mere chapters in
Our life narrative
The story of us remains
Unwritten

Silent retreat

Words escape upon the wind
Tucked indoors
Eyes peer through panes
Battered by seering rain
All her fears surge
Down storm drain
Journey to join anxious seas
Hurts float like sediment
Drift kelp forest freed

Ocean view, bare gum
Arms outstretched to glimpse of sun
Stripped of leaves, bark and shoots
Holding on by ancient roots
Hollow nests for threatened birds
When nature speaks revealing words

Humble nature's power grows
Shelter for the lonely ones
When sun returns and moon is clear
Nestle in the stillness here
For poignant day when tempest beats
A friend or foe one cannot meet
Rest in folds of downy fields
Tiny wings aflight will heal
Old gum at Saltmarsh flats, Carlton Tasmania

Breathless

I recall the day we met
Years ago now, so it feels
Weather and tide playing havoc
Eve of Christmas eve
Standing on the dunes
Marvelling at turbulent sea
Behind, you seemed
Calm, steady and sure
Wind whipped sand in eddies
Stole my breath away

Eyes wide at postcard scene
I found myself in awe
Suddenly bold and lighter
To skip down to waveline
Play like a child once more
Stealing glances on shore
As kite surfers skimmed
Pushing sea spray to wind
I close my eyes and feel
The warmth of summer again
Roches Beach, South Arm Tasmania

Daily incantations

She, opens eyes wide at sunrise
To deliberate
Life, loves, lies
On tip of tongue
Softened by toast and hot tea
To protect buried memories
To defend all she has left

She, sheds a tear at moonrise
Orb of light illuminates her face
Soft folds of downy fields
Hair tickles her ears
Winds whisper incantations
Flowing across river
Searching for her lover
Believing only in peace
Laid buried beneath her feet
Waubs Bay, Bicheno Tasmania

I feel you

In my feet pounding pavement
Hips swaying to music
Waves crashing in ears
Sun beating
Rhythm in my solar plexis
Salty sting of tears
Glitter on the water -
In your eyes -
Evokes a feeling
One cannot contain
Boundless sea
I feel you
Long beach, Sandy Bay Tasmania

I’d rather

I'd rather be with me, than
In the shadow of a tree
Grown by groaning pains
Missing her former ways

I'd rather be alone, than
Drink down remedies from
Expectation formed
Watching romantic comedy

I'd rather go solo, than
Interpret someone's needs
Through the scintillating sound
Of the pleas of silent screen

I'd prefer to take a stroll
Cool and dry under a 'broll, than
Be soaked in untold stories
Of adventures without me

I'd rather be awake, than
Anticipating ache
Of sleeping next to you
Then, in a month or two we're through.
Burnt out trees in St David’s Park, Hobart Tasmania