A dandelion
Much despised
Hardy flower
For every dig
Sows more seed
Until it spreads
Its reedy feet
All over neighbours'
Fallow field
A tincture tea
To pep the heart
Set flight in spring
A work of art
As little copters
Spin on breeze
To plant ungovernable
Bright young weed
A skein of yarn
Can simply not run free
If tugged or pulled
Will surely wrap
In tangled knots of weeks
Gently lift
Like pick up sticks
To unwind tenderly
All to work it
Round about
To clothe
Bitter westerly
In the vein of Ovid's Remedia Amoris
Don't let me near a bumblebee
A lizard, owl or slimy leech
No butterflies or hilltop scree
Invertebrates nor anemone
Away with bells of pink or white
Dangling in the dappled light
No trudging through the crunchy snow
Or campstove fires in cabins glow
Pandani, fagus, kangaroo grass
If you want to air the grief
Far away from nature's best
Put this cure-all to the test
Nature lover, wandering free
One never forgets an ecologist!
First time I kissed you
By accident, on cheek
I whispered, "see you soon"
Ablaze, I stepped onto river's edge
- once where we met -
Time and again
To cool my thoughts.
Last time we hugged
It was all you
A friendly pat around broad shoulders
As I stooped down
Like a medal winner
Empty handed
I could not throw my arms around
. It was orchestrated by another
.. my arms were loaded with jackets and books wrapped in cotton
... I knew it would be the last.
Since then, how carefully the silence is conducted through an orchestra of friends.
While I write lyrics to music I can only imagine.
Shelves brimming with books
A leather covered nook
Lace curtain dances
On morning breeze
I hurriedly go to work
One day these pages
Will open to me
I will read aloud
To my love over tea
A neighbour stops
To look longingly
At the morning moon
Snaps it with a long lens
While my blue screen eyes glow
One day I will wake
By the light of the moon
Lying on soft tufts of dry moss
We will curl and trace the sun in morning ritual
Ginger cat curls in winter coat
Around blue flowers soaking low lying sun
Lush grass is mown by guinea pigs on a run
New natives thrive in builder's rubble.
One day, on eve of Spring
I will wade through winter garden's tailings
Gather barrowloads of greens to reveal fresh ground
We will chirp like birds at herbs that survived all odds.
Plant companions for their year ahead.
One day, I hope it comes.
May your winter be as long
As you need to take off
Like a snow angel basking
In its glittery softness
May your climb be as steep as
Your knees can appreciate
To release the adrenalin
High peak's view appease
May alpine flora be abundant
Endless stands of snow gums
Far as the eye, twisted delight
Interspersed bouquets of colour
May twittering friends be close
Watching over your steps
Light feathered entertainment
As you stop and catch your breath
May adventures be far enough
To exhilarate, yet close
So friends can safely join
To share a tea along the way.
Let grief flow
To try to stop
It’s winding course
Like the force
Of a river
Aching for sea
Opens the way
For opportunity
To know oneself
Obstacles seem
Insurmountable
Compassion may bear
Steady your feet
Plant them deep
Flow with grief
All this time
Tracing the edges
Watching the lines
Ink fills empty spaces
Candy bar colours
From head to toe
Siamese dream
Waking slow
Starlit darkness
Winter solstice smile
Blue morning
Colour me blind
Memories permeate
Through reclaimed
Rock walls
Of the present
Illuminating
Iridescent morn
If I pour my heart
Out to you
Is it too heavy?
You see, I need
A good strong woman
A big heart
For if she wishes
To pour out too
I have grown strong
From holding on
For so long.
Count the stars of heaven 