Murmuring of nations
Surmised in vibrations
Of one bee
Pang of loss reaches
Extremities diving
Into cool stream
Countless words
Native tongues foreign
Fail to reach ears
Floundering has its moments
Articulating the speechless
Over all these years
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
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
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
Feathery down on tender leaf
Bare skin of trunk
Velvet grass under feet
Grazed by lush grey coat
Pressed gently in hand
Distinctive scent arose
Sensory pleasure all around
Evokes a smile of fondness
Desire to know once for all
Mysteries under its surface
Flourishing
Open space growing
Cut down
New life showing
Forgive oneself
For not knowing
There you are again
In front of me
Realise how real you are
Not a figment of wild
Imagination
In few sweet hours
I am left with
Nothing but an image
In my mind
How sweet grapes
Turn into wine
Over years maturing
Once tasted we are left
With nothing but
A feeling
Content with flow
Words in verse
Like a fire hydrant
A spring flood cascade
Filling easement
Into wild yonder
Equal to task
The raging fire
Quench its thirst
Rise quickly
New life
When wedged in the cleft of a cliff
Gives shelter from relentless
Beating rain and wind
Storms outside and within
Cool cave a respite
Shade from scorching rays
Love for another lights
A campfire inside
Keeps you warm all night
Gives you strength to rise
To stoke its smoky coals
To nourish body and soul
Sometimes loving you
Is the same as loving me too.
Count the stars of heaven 