The Secret Garden

For many years I pondered
What was behind ivy wall
Sandstone thick quarried
From ancient hill, the one
I gazed upon until my lids
Grew heavy with waiting
For dreams to come
Keys thrust upon me to open
Hulking oak door with bolt
Chamber rusted shut
Determined to make a home
Surrounded by eucalypts
For good cover from
The elements soaking into
My pores
Heaven scent aroma of cineol opens my eyes
Brighter to adore
Walled garden no secret anymore
For before me lies the vast
Hills and plains of freedom
And realise it was I who was contained in my own
Secret garden all this time
In Dorothy’s garden

Mayfair

May you keep sweet company
In these silver lined years
Peach tea horizons swept
Out to golden sea

May your mind sing songs
From your youth on repeat
As lines and marks of years
Trace exposed memories

May photographs long loved
Adorn cracked mended mantle
Carrying the weight of love
As much as you can handle

May flowers through seasons
Line paths you daily tread
Colours, changes, reason
May put us in good stead
Hobart Waterfront, Tasmania