Protective mother quail

Down by the mighty Murray River
Between the river and the southern seas 
Mother quail was working; protecting 
Her precious little babies; from me
Though I am no threat to her 
Though I would love to be her friend 

She was protective of her babies 

Those bushes she hid behind; a godsend 

Saw a shiny black snake lurking 

Seeking something to devour 

I prayed mother quail would succeed 

Keep her babies safe for many a long hour 

Smile through the tears

Got to smile through the tears 
For you know, all through the years 
God is with us, to allay our fears 
He has saved us all...
By taking our sins to the cross
He has already suffered for our loss 

17 March 2015

Around the world in 99 days

I sent the parcel early 

Aiming for Christmas time 

Hoping and a praying 

It would certainly arrive (on time) 

Tracking said they’d got it

Then it said “no way!”

I guess they got that wrong 

What more can I say?

Couldn’t find the address 

Couldn’t deliver it they said 

So it was sent around the world 

What a blasted mess! 

It’s been to Chile my darlings 

It almost got to you... 

Then it went flying off to France 

To Italy too; given half a chance 

Finally, it landed in Japan; on the way 

Oh, that really made my day...

Well it got back this morning

Much battered; fragile to say the least 

So I repacked every Christmas present 

Added a few birthday gifts too

And now; guess what? 

I’m sending it all back to you!

God willing it will make it

God willing it will fly true 

All the way to Chile my darlings 

All the way to you! 

Tuesday 10th March 2020

Living through the maze of life

There is always a beginning 

There will always be an end 

But stumbling through the rest 

Is going to be the real test 

So many little byways 

So many twists and turns

Don’t forget those roundabouts 

Or those crazy swinging burns 

Our lives never follow straight lines 

They ever seem to bend...

As we go on living we discover 

To our life’s very end...

7th March 2020

Always long and winding

Always long and winding 

Always a blessing to arrive 

This long journey called life 

Through pain, suffering we strive...

4th March 2016

Happy 60th Ian McKinnon

I wrote this just a few short years ago...

Happy 60th birthday Ian McKinnon

The years have passed 

Like silent shadows 

Yet still, our eyes do shine 

Hands clasped in friendship

Yours and mine...

4th February 2013

4/2/1953 - 18/10/18

It’s a sad time at Christmas

It’s a sad time at Christmas 

When your darlings have gone 

New Year feels no better 

As you start the new year alone 

Though memories do linger 

There is no physical touch 

Yes; the pain remains inside you 

It does not ever go away 

Though it may ease a little; true 

You must face another day... 

New Year is a new beginning 

Come what may; seize the day! 

1st January 2020

In memory of Roza (Szekeres) Szabo

Three years ago today you went away 

Three years ago you had to leave us

Quietly you slipped away my love

I’d like to think; up to heaven up above 

In my memories, you are still here with me 

That is as it will ever be; you are a part of us

Though I miss you so; I know you had to go...

I asked the carnations to bloom for you 

Seeing they were ever your favourites 

It is wonderful to see; one listened to me 

There is one very pretty pink carnation 

There among the Stocks; you loved their scent 

They still bloom for you too; ah heaven sent!

Whenever I smell them; I think of you too

They cheer me up when I am feeling blue...

Missing you my darling mum

Rest In Peace 

28th December 2019 

Children are sensitive souls

He’s such a sensitive little soul

Knew I needed; him to hold 

Knew exactly what was needed 

Felt much better; succeeded 

In gaining some happiness 

Found some inner quietness...

He’s so much older than his years 

Could he sense my hidden tears? 

What was it he could hear, sense? 

Did he truly understand; so intense? 

So deep a cry from within my soul?

Something mysterious had him involved

Called me “Nana”; I said I wouldn’t mind

Thought that would be so very kind...

Ah yes it is true; as I’m telling you 

Animals and little children come through 

They understand; sense your feelings too

Stay close; give comfort; when its due...

26th December 2019

For Kaiden 

Nana’s Christmas tears

Her tears are overflowing 

From her heart do they spring 

As the Christmas season approaches 

And she misses everything...

Her dear little grandchildren 

So far away from home 

Be it a million miles away 

Or just up the dusty road... 

Her arms; achingly empty 

Though her heart is so very full 

Having so much love yet to give 

But today her eyes are almost full...

She misses their happy laughter 

Is missing so many milestones 

Their little arms around her neck 

Feeling this lack within her bones...

There is no festive celebration

Here within these quiet walls

For without their precious laughter 

Why bother to deck the halls...

Only memories do linger 

Of times of Christmas past 

Her thoughts again turn inward 

Tears, pricking her eyelids; flowing fast...

For Violeta Orlandini, Martha Wilson, grandma Roza Szekeres, grandma Margit Juliana Szabo, Lyn Scott, and many others...

25th December 2019

So this is Christmas

“So this is Christmas 

What have we done 

Another year over

A new one just begun”

So much pain and suffering 

As bushfires run amok

People struggling with illness 

Watching their ticking clocks 

Death and destruction 

Crime and disrespect 

Storms and catastrophes 

Everywhere you look 

Please take care to drive safely 

Don’t cause any more strife

There’s too much pain already 

Remember; we’re only given one life...

24th December 2019

Thank God for our Firies

Thank God for our Firies

They always do their best 

Battling scorching bushfires

Barely getting any rest...

Struggling through heat, smoke 

Desperate people have to flee

They face head-on; cannot choke 

Battle on; though they cannot see...

Thank God for our Firies 

They face those infernos 

Battling to save our homes; lands 

Into terrible danger they go...

Yes! Thank God for our Firies 

Bless the very effort they give 

Because of these brave heroes 

Others may continue to live...

21 December 2019

Tears on my pillow

Tears on my pillow 

Tears for you all

Yes, tears on my pillow 

Feeling them fall

Mother; father

Gone from me 

Missing you dearly 

Missing your company 

Grandchildren; so far away

Can’t even hug or kiss you

Arms empty; with this dismay 

Christmas is coming so soon

Tears on my pillow 

Emotional; that’s me 

Feeling these losses 

At this time of year... 

14th December 2019 

Loss by suicide

It’s not easy being the one 

Left behind by a loved one 

The guilt that follows you around

Takes years; to fight it down 

Anguish, pain, depression abound 

Seems like you’re ever losing ground 

It takes a long time to realise 

It wasn’t your fault all along...

23rd December 2019

Fresh wild rabbits

I’ve often seen this sign

“Fresh wild rabbits” 

Outside the butcher shop in Goolwa

My imagination goes running wild

A fresh, wild rabbit comes to mind 

Of a very different kind...

One with attitude 

One with fire and grit

One that is full of anger 

One that is full of spit...

Ah the grin upon my face 

As I wander through that shopping mall

Laughing out loud! 

18th October 2019

Loving little people by Vanessa

I love these little people so much it hurts. Don’t know how I ever lived without them. The best feeling in my world is squeezing them close and kissing their little cheeks and feeling them cuddle me back! The best sounds are their laughter and their adorable little voices and little noises they make. And the best sight to my eyes are their precious smiling faces! 

27th May 2014 

Beginnings and endings

Begun as a gift for my grandson 

His life just beginning to flower 

Too far away for it to be delivered 

I held it close to my heart; right here

With thoughts upon him, I realized 

In my arms, he will never be held 

Unless some miracle is to be seen 

So now for myself; it's been extended 

As I use its warmth; it is quite clear

Now; working upon this extension 

My mind has turned to my darling dad

Tomorrow will be the first anniversary 

Of his passing; ah God I miss him; my dear 

The centre for my precious darling Gabriel

The conclusion for my dearest dad...

I will feel the warmth of dads arms around me

As I cuddle my grandchildren here; within me

My heart will be enveloped in loving 

Kind thoughts in my soul for reunions

As I slumber right here in my bed...

5th October 2019 

My best friend

You’ve been my best friend

Since we were little girls 

You are my “sister” honey

I would have it no other way

I can’t recall exactly when we met

But I truly have no regrets 

Neither time nor distance 

Could ever change the way 

I feel about you...

I love you my precious sister

Wish you lived a little closer 

Though life’s been like a roller coaster

I have enjoyed this bumpy ride

Glad to have had you tag along 

and enjoyed having you by my side 

Happy 60th my darling sister Martha 

21st July 2019