Baby red wattle bird

Yesterday I found her

Sitting quietly on the grass

All curled up into a bundle 

Her head tucked in…looking aft 

Yesterday she’d taken off 

Determined to gad about 

Perhaps upon her maiden flight 

Fledgling that she is no doubt 

There’s a danger from that cat 

That sneaks around at night

I’ve seen that mangy, sneaky cat

Turn on our neighbour’s movement light 

I had to gather her up as 

I was worried for this poor little mite

I managed to help her up onto 

The garden shed to settle for the night 

Today I found her in danger once again 

Lost and looking so forlorn 

Ah poor little baby red wattle bird

My heart for you was torn

I tried to move her to safety 

As her parents hovered about 

Making little concerned sounds 

As she looked up at them in fright 

Finally I put her up onto that garden shed

Watched in wonder as her parents came 

And that poor little mite was fed

They were so happy to have her back again! 

Running through the dunes

Took a run upon our track 

To the great Southern Ocean 

Then right back 

The sand was firm 

From last night’s rain

My eyes watering from the gusty winds 

The salty spray such pleasure did bring

Ah these feelings of exhilarence 

To be out here in the elements 

Oh what joy to feel alive in this 

So much so that my heart sings 

My lungs did burn; my heart did pound

As my strong legs covered the hilly ground 

Afterwards my pleasure soared 

Those endorphins round my brain they roared 

Ah there’s nothing like good exercise 

Here in the southern sand dunes 

Surrounded by these stormy skies 

An arty farty display

A tree branch fell down last week 

Te council car and chopped it up

Instead of wasting the tree logs 

We carried them to the back yard 

Added a few plants from the verandah 

My collection of sea shells and pebbles too

And made an arty farty display…

September 2024

Cameo

A drop of moisture within a flower stem

Pollen grains both white and orange; then

A cameo face I espy within

A Grecian beauty, perhaps a grin 

All these I see growing from a grassy stem 

September 2024

A gift of Coorong mullet

Our dear neighbour crossed the street 

Bringing a gift of Coorong mullet for us to eat 

A simple meal it was to create 

A couple of eggs, a little flour, paprika, pepper added to taste…

A few minutes in the electric frying pan

A few lettuce leaves, lemon juice, vinegar 

Coleslaw was store bought yesterday 

A delicious meal on a beautiful Sabbath day

Thanked the Lord for bringing me my first 

Taste of Coorong Mullet; ever in my life… 

Thank You to 95 year old neighbour Lloyd 

Brass in pocket

I won an album at the Loxton Disco many, many years ago. The DJ was giving away prizes of albums during the evening and at the end I went up to say “Thank you” for the great music. He thought I only wanted something from him. I got angry and said “I was coming over to thank you for the great music!” And walked away. He then gave me his last LP which was the Ripper Album from that year…

I had asked him to play “Brass in pocket” by the Pretenders earlier in the evening. It was only the B side of the record and he wasn’t sure if it was a good song. He played it for me and I was grateful! What a wonderful memory all these years later…that was back in the 1970’s…

Peace Within

Sipping my green tea

Allowing healing within me

Breathing in fresh air

A little sunshine too…

My pigeons feeding 

This pair; breeding 

She’s being demanding 

Even commanding; him…

I know they’re nesting 

A pair of eggs at best 

That’s why she’s testy 

He has to wait; his test…

My pain has eased 

Bruising; a little remains

Scar tissue; I am pleased

Time is moving on again…

30th May 2024

Bully and his wife had 2 babies

Missy and her nest mate 

Bully was eaten by a cat 

Missy now rules the roost 

Shark warning

I saw a shark the other day 

As we were driving past 

Thought it was a surfer

But a second look confirmed 

It was a large black shape 

Very close to shore 

Aldinga beach goers beware 

Those nasty big brutes 

Are out there…

Though I didn’t get a photo 

That shape will never leave my brain 

A large fin protruding 

Larger dark shape below

Thought I’d better warn you 

In case you wanted to know…

Wednesday 6th November 2024

Blackberries

Blackberries…

I love your tangy taste

You were so delicious 

I couldn’t help but

Eat you all; in haste

Juicy, sweet and tart 

I enjoyed this little snack 

In this little “thank you” pack 

Given as a gift…

They couldn’t really last 

I’ve been craving you 

Since my birthday last 

March in 2023… it’s 2024

Now my desire’s been met

For now…

13th October 2024

Why do these eyes of mine cry?

Why is sadness overwhelming me today?

Why do these eyes of mine cry? 

I miss you my darling father

I miss those days long gone by

Happier days in my childhood 

Gladness was always the way 

Spring/Summer sunshine 

Sweet smiles, laughter and play

Mum’s busy hands in her kitchen

Ever ready to cook up a storm

As many plates on her table we laid 

During those wonderful warm holidays

Family gatherings were her forte 

Laughter echoing throughout the halls 

As grandchildren ran about at play 

Ah these memories bring such pleasure 

My tears are beginning to dry 

As I sit back trying to savour 

Each wonderful day that’s gone by 

Is this a curse or a blessing? 

That my mind is filled to the brim

With such wondrous clear visions 

As I recall so many precious times…

Why doesn’t she call us?

Sadness comes and tears do flow 

As I think upon all I know 

Saw a few pictures of those souls

A video of them on their stroll

They’re alive; living their lives

Though they don’t know I’m alive 

Their mother’s anger knows no bounds 

So here I am; estranged; unfound 

Her hatred burns with brightest flame 

As she feels I’m to blame… 

I have given all I had 

Left nothing for myself I vow 

What more could any loving mother do

Than give everything for their need

Leaving nothing for herself 

Bled dry by their insatiable greed

Used up then dumped by the wayside 

No longer useful; a dried up seed 

The grandchildren met their nana 

She told them your other nana loves you too

Granddaughter retorted; why doesn’t she call? 

Oh God that hurts; below the belt 

How can I call when she restricts it all

Blocked on every possible place 

Can’t even talk; communications down

Have you found yourself?

Have you found yourself? 

Have you looked deeply inside? 

How is it going now

On this wild earthly ride…

Have you become unconditioned? 

From that narcissistic tide?

Have your fortunes so dipped that

You have overcome your pride? 

Does life look any bettter 

On this deeper uncomfortable ride…

Have the rough winds blown you 

So far across the great divide 

Have you found your inner child

Awakening, catching up your stride…

After the operation

Painful, bruised, sore, not amused 

It’s been such a battle 

Just to get through 

One part is over 

The rest is to come 

God help me recover 

For the next part of the run…

The Big C word

It was such a surprise 

To hear those words 

My ears must be mistaken 

My brain hardly heard 

I’ve been working so hard 

To stay healthy I swear 

For so many years… 

Yet there they are 

Written upon that paper

I have cancer…

I don’t want it 

I have too much to do

So much life to live 

Hard to accept but I have to

The tests are all run

The results are there to see 

Operation due in 3 weeks 

God help me through this 

Please…

Treading water

My brain is whirling round and round 

Yet my feet remain on the ground 

So many feelings bubbling up and down 

Like a of torrent; roiling water; these emotions

I don’t know what to think or feel

Is this diagnosis truly real? 

All was going well; blood tests etcetera 

But now I’m free falling; terrified; I cried

Yesterday I was so freaking out 

Today I’m deflated; simply feeling tired

Explanations given; I listened; understood 

Things aren’t quite as bad; it’s actually good

It is operable; indications are looking upward 

So now I’m treading water…

Waiting for appointments; more tests 

Praying; hoping for the best…

Dancing with my darling

You held me close to your heart

My darling please; let’s never part 

The music played as we swayed 

Ahh such memories we made 

Made me feel like we were young

Made me believe those words they sang

George Strait, Gary Allan, Allan Jackson

Yes; their voices were the ones 

Their melodies were heaven sent 

As we twirled; around we went 

I felt your heart beating along with mine 

These precious feelings felt so divine 

Ah thank you dearest Lord above

For sending me my man to love

I wish you well

Time has flown away my love 

Distance; too; a physical barrier 

No way to talk to share or feel

Anything but peaceful you see 

These days have disappeared 

Much to my own sorrow 

My brow seems to simply furrow 

I only want to wish you well

Raise up yourself; out of your own hell

Only you can search your soul 

Find that barrier itself; begin to fall

Deep inside you will see that seed 

Allow it to grow within; with pride 

Let your heart be your own guide 

Find that peace you seek within

It’s there; waiting to begin 

Lost sense of smell

It’s sad but true 

I’m telling you 

My sense of smell

Oh what the hell

It’s gone; deceased

Been released 

Been gone a while 

Actually I smile 

Couldn’t smell those nappies

The smelliest ones 

Of my grandchildren 

Maybe it’s a good thing?

Forget that…No

I’d love to smell roses

Bouquets and posies

Wish I could tell if my scent 

Is alright; guess I’ve learnt 

To ask another 

To lend me their ears?

Not their ears but their nose

I’d say “smell this for me” 

Please help me to see…

Help me to taste too

That’s different as well 

Oh what the hell

I have to overcompensate 

More chilli, more spice 

More flavours to splice 

Into meals: into everything 

I have to add this bling 

Oh sometimes it’s too much

That cayenne’s lost its punch 

Too late once it’s added 

Guess my brain is addled

I can blame the aenemia

The hepatitis A too 

To these I say “boo”

Give me back my senses 

Make some recompenses 

But it ok truly it is 

I’m alive; happy not blue 

Her poor babies

She’s lost the plot 

Her love; for them; forgotten 

She’s not acting loving 

Uncaring; unaware; heart empty there

Her drugged-out stare 

Is all they see 

Oh God; when will she see

What she has done 

To them; her babies 

As she satisfies her own dersires 

Seeking out her lover’s fires

But extinguishing their faith in her 

No way to treat your mother

I will not accept your scorn 

I will not be treated by you 

In this way, as you say of me…

I am not in the wrong 

I refuse to be held to your account 

Of the past few years 

You turn on me after all I’ve given 

You abuse me, blame me, block me 

No longer do you shock me 

I will not allow you to treat me thus

I am no longer a pawn 

To be played, pushed, shoved

You turn your back on me 

Then expect me to welcome you back 

No way! 

I will no longer accept your blame game!  

Truth

My truth, I told

To this vow I hold 

But you cannot seem to see 

My views, nor do you see me 

Only your pain rules your mind 

How can being honest be unkind?

I retreat, without actually backing down 

Will not of this travesty, be a part

Until you look deep inside…

Finally realise, understand in kind 

You cannot be anything; but blind…