First editions grow in value exponentially with time
When the story is worthy of reprise
While others, a mere shell of past lives
Cling empty across time
Eventually blown in the wind
Which one, do we decide?



First editions grow in value exponentially with time
When the story is worthy of reprise
While others, a mere shell of past lives
Cling empty across time
Eventually blown in the wind
Which one, do we decide?



Hidden among limbs clothed
In green velvet gowns
Dripping in accoutrements
Of fernage, of fungi
A trickle gapens wide
To underground flow hastily
Growing in karst caves
Miles long - race to river shores
Ancient faces, bearded features
Embedded in sapling lined hill
Look up to pinnacle source
Drink liquor distilled by leaves
Minutiae of life abounds
Hiding from hurried eyes
Passing giant foot too blind
- by black shapes bound to hand and wrist -
To see them thrive
Once the orchid eye is in
Become a clumsy giant
Clambering in, too easily
Destroying tender offspring
Sprinkling pathogens from soles
Wiping out whole colonies
After a solitary visit
Gaping mouthed outsider capturing souls in images
Thinking of this and parallels
The heart propagates compassion
It dangles on new vine
White heart berry ripening in time




Junee Caves Walk, Maydena Tasmania
In the lee of Summer Solstice
Tell oneself to breathe
In and out repeatedly
No more holding on
To each one
The days are ticking down again
Walk abreast the self-assured waves
Kissing sun on white speckled canvas
Laid bare for once
Turn around
People multiply in the wake
Rubbery tops of jelly fish
Bounce off finger tips
Salty drink for skin
Slips soft around
Tender clefts of limbs
Hopefully loved
Sun kiss, towel hug
Me and my own company
Thinking upon
Just once
The one presiding over
The bay upon balcony
Head dipped in serenity
Some adventure in there
Waiting to come out

Burned through
At least a dozen
On pure desire
Till none to light another
Not even at midnight
On Summer Solstice
Of all the gifts
I poured out
My heart slipped into one
Sleep, not skinny dipping
I, my faithful lover

You were always there
Not waiting in the wings
But wearing them
Spectator of my test match
Now long over
Rained out
We're waiting for new ground
The gentle art
Of watching grass grow

Damage is never done
Healing is evolving
Heart not on a sleeve
Living and growing
Tough not stuff of nails
Craftsman appealing
Jars of clar both
Fragile and strong
Lasting ancient art
So too, are you
Brave enough to know
Worth in more than gold

Every adventurer
Long absent wanderer
Climbs karst summits
Ride across Americas
Walk entire length of it
Eventually desires
Someone to come home to

Once laid bare
Gentle fronds
Wave in the air
Alluring to birds
Bees and minibeasts
Time is short
To share delights
Breathe in
Heady scents
Of summer

The ingredients for a good lover
By Frida Kahlo

There is no real other
The present begs
For us to attend
Step into the fray
For the one long desired
Arrival of lost love
Never truly comes
The only power
We have to overcome
Step over old mantle
Into eternal horizon
