In your own time

Poured out like an offering
Waterfall, infinity pool
In the alpine summit
Of glacial paced healing
From losing all held dear
That and more
Saying goodbye took time
Through thousands of moments
Admired over and over
Letting go means allowing
Rapids take you forward
Knowing you have the strength
To stay afloat
Survive another capsize
Walk away into the wilderness
Once more

Harbouring

Well may all harbour
Ill feeling
As constant as
Heavenly bodies orbit

As rolling swell lifts
Carries me toward
My destination
Quaint boat shed

Only one fish
To be seen
Grasses weeds sponges
Sand wrinkles between

Two laps of this ocean
Though not counting
No walls to bounce off
Just freedom

So it is with
Harbouring love
Quietly, waves surge
Crash on shores

Squeal of delight
Taken by surprise
Gentle forces
Holding me, floating
Blackman’s Bay Beach lutruwita / Tasmania

Point break

Sheer gravity lures
Decades forces pulls
Finally free and yours
Pinnacle of wave
Break over rocky shore
Thrill bouyancy
Every time she responds
To me
Takes to the edge
Bright white sandy smile
Flashes behind eyes
Everywhere I see
Words etched into
Cliff face story
Eroding crumbling
Debunked history
Tideline moves along
With moonlight spree
Voice like wind on waves
Whispers to me
Adrenaline fades
Until next ride
Point break
Mays Beach, Tasmania

Long missed

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

Blackbirds and Nightingales

Once a many ravens
Perched on picnic walls
Encroaching so daringly
Staring back and forth

Babes in arms were cradled
Toddlers stopped from harm
Backed away hauntingly
Edge from warm spring calm

Escape to caves below
Calcified remains.
Hundred years a column
Ancestors' way laid

Cacophany of cries
Heard across the skies
Sharp eye of witnesses
Those who bled and died

~Inspired by The Nightingale Film (2018)