May Queen

Ever since when
Tucked inside
Safe harbour
Tending to
All her needs
When onlookers
Admire her wisdom
Sweat and tears
Protected for
The power
Of her beauty
All these years
May Queen alongside Hobart Wharf, lutruwita/ Tasmania

Missing you

Tied alongside 
Sitting idle
Remembering
The thrill
Of the ride

Ocean waves
Hello
Goodbye
See you
Another time

Fresh air
Breeze
On skin
Salty
Turning
Rusty

Wanting
Washing over
Moving freely
Never feeling
Time enough
When made
For you
Hobart Wharf, lutruwita/ Tasmania

Caught in the storm

Lured from tree house
Hiding places
Secure warm
From tiny throne

Leading loyal ones
To the next home
Caught in a storm
Taken down
As one

She is queen
Her word is won
Workers lives
Depend upon

Sudden storm
Mass extinction
Regret moving
Even mentioned

For one that brings
Our hearts attention
This day such loss
Is worth a mention
Hive with no queen, Cressy Tasmania – Image credit Paul Purton, used with permission.

The special two

The special two
Who walk idly
Along the beach
In their imagination

Smiling at passersby
Holding hands
Greeting fellow
Furry four-leg friends

A woman's worth
Measured in beats
Of our hearts
Glad to be alive

She spies her love
Like a sweet secret
A jar of pear drops
Hidden entreat

Seeking waterfalls
Watching them spill
Away to sea
Feelings cascade
Endlessly
Portait by Lily Allport – Artists of Tasmania, Allport Museum and Art Gallery, State Library of Tasmania.

Crimson kiss

Would I be amiss
To ask you
As the rain
Washes through
Opening again
Until the summer
Scorches us
We hide away
Missing crimson
Pea flower
At Christmas
Kennedia prostrata, (Running postman) – Native flowers of Tasmania. Maria Isl.

A woman’s worth

As hours expire 
Gazing window view
Love of labour retire
Labour of love renew

Little surprises find
As a couple appeal
Acknowledge fine hands
That made our meal

Return home to kiss
Heads upward bent
Work to prepare
A meal among friends

A satisfied look
Falls on tired faces
Giving love and life
Into all open spaces

The one who mistook

Their wife for a hat
A child for a cat
A lover for a bat
A friend for a mat

Sensibilities
Surrounded by
Seratonin
Someday fades

Why not instead
See streets of gold
Homes of gingerbread
Chocolate rivers

Smooth sailing comes
When you find your crew
Will you take me
As I am?

*The Man who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, a book by Oliver Sacks.
Sandy Bay, lutruwita/ Tasmania, Australia