The unkindest cut

It hurts when people look at you and think the worst
It hurts to be thought rude when you're just too shy to say the words
It hurts when you're not good at sports and you are left till last
It hurts when illness strikes and the weight just piles right on and
People think you're just too lazy to exercise
It hurts when you can't afford to buy the latest clothes and
You're looked down upon because you aren't in style
It hurts to be different when everyone is the same
It hurts when you speak a different language at home and
Your parents can't help you with your homework
It hurts when someone asks how you are but
Doesn't really care to hear your answer: no matter what you say!
It hurts when someone you care about doesn't say "thank you"
It hurts when you see little children ask their mum
"Why didn't that lady/man say hello to me?" after they mind their manners
It hurts when you realize that you are not appreciated
It hurts when you pay your lay-by every fortnight but
They don't let you know the time has expired and
They take your money anyway and give nothing in return
It hurts when people use you and then brag
About how well they are doing and saving heaps
It hurts when someone looks down at you
Simply because you are ill and finding it difficult to get by
It hurts to be ignored by people simply because you are female
It hurts to have a different shade of skin
It hurts to Have a disability and you are unable to speak
It hurts to be silent and unable to say the words
Until your tormentor has gone away and
Then the words come out but too late to make a difference
Yes it hurts to be alive some days because of pain but
The unkindest cut is when you've paid your insurance premiums
All the time and yet your're "not covered" because
You didn't read the small, small print.
Yes the unkindest cut comes when you're already down and
When don't even see the kick that's aimed at you
When you are so low that one more thing seems way too much
Yes the unkindest cut is when the insurance company
Denies your family the right to have a nice clean home
After all you've been through for months on end
Then they stick the knife in and gut you even more
After patiently waiting and waiting
They know how to bring you down even further
Yes! That's the unkindest cut of all!

The voice of Ayla

I am the voice of Ayla: the narrator just as well
I've read those books out loud: several times at least
T and to my dearest spouse
I am the voice of Ayla! The teller of that tale
The reader of that long, long book
The one who makes the sounds: the joy of her discoveries
The happiness of her finds among the distant past
The country side so vast: the journeyer with her
The exaltation as she learned to ride 
That magnificent beast and tamed the horses from the herd
Yes, I am the voice of Ayla! Well at least for just a few but
That's okay with me: as long as it is with you!

The train doesn't come here any more

The old railway track winds around and follows the lay of the land
The train doesn't come here any more but I still feel the rumbling of the track
I hear the men calling to each other as they work till day is done
The hot sun shining on their backs: there is no shade along those tracks
There is no cooling breeze as they take their final ease
Just the hiss of metal as finally: the wheels go thundering past.


There were times so long ago when many worked this land
They toiled and trekked and went about: they built their tiny homes
They suffered for their dreams as driest sands were crossed
Their poor old horse and wagon: just a mirage in the heat
These were the ones who did their best: who crossed the stormy seas!
From many other lands they came and cast their lot among the flies
Along with all the dust and wind as they made their mark in this wild brown land
As the kangaroos looked on and wondered what possessed these souls
To try and earn their crust among the dry and dusty bush lands
As the crows and magpies serenaded; predicting the rains when they came
Though few and far between they were! Still these people stayed!
To raise their families out here: to grow their crops and till their land
While others just shook their heads and looked for greener plains.
How long their journey out here: how peaceful their surrounds
As they listened to the native birds when they whistled their welcoming tunes
Oh what a hard and lonely life for all those pioneers
As they hitched their carts and plodded along over the hills and dales
Taking everything they needed in their precious baggage
Among their food and seed: looking for a stream or water course
To quench their thirst and that of their horse
Or maybe just on foot they trudged until they found their place
Set up their camp fire beside a babbling brook
Where dinner was made of damper and billy tea was boiled
As they camped beneath the shelter of the stumpy mallee trees
Beneath the magnificent starry skies: no city lights to dim them
No fire too big to spoil their view: the Southern Cross ascending
As they they ate their possum stew!

The Shining Star

Once was he the brightest star but pride did come and make him fail
Now fighting still the losing game; still he seeks to lay a claim
On all who will just praise his name! Forsaken, lost and tumbled down
He holds another darker crown and ever spiralling further down
He seeks to take the others round that steepest roller coaster ride
That stops not at the entrance gate but continues further down at rates
Where mortals fail to see the trace of evil traits and darkest night
His journey sure, he tumbles on to snatch the weakest links about
Drive them further from the crown of light and power and righteousness
Ever always 'tis his plan to ruin those he can and drag them all to damnations base
He spins a tale and makes his case; seems so sure that faultless plan
The destruction of all this earthly space: no matter how his war is lost
No matter what the awful cost he seeks to gather one and all
And hold them firm within his grasp: his anger mighty as a lion
He roars and moans and shakes the world: his minions do his dreadful chores
As many slip and surrender mortal coil: never will he cease his toil
To take you with him into hell: forever lost and fallen there
To share his pain and fiery death until his very last hot breath
Is extinguished when Jesus comes again to claim His lambs and take them home
To share His wealth and always roam beside Him in His hallowed halls
Forever!

The perfect wife

I overheard a conversation months ago
Of what a perfect would do
She'd wash the clothes inside out
And keep the home spick and span
No doubt!
Alack, alas, guess what?
The perfect wife I am not!
Though I try to be the best I can
I guess I'll never be perfect for that man!
Maybe if I had a maid or butler
Had I then the time?
To iron pants and mend a seam or ten
What then?
Is perfection then the only goal?
Or maybe a little happiness?
Would that be so droll?
Never mind I say!
There's got to be an easier way!
Perhaps a robot Rosie I could send
To keep house and home for them!
Those ones who are never satisfied
Though I cry and try and try!
If They're not satisfied
Then they can do it all themselves
And see how easy it is then
To be their own maid now and then!

The many faces of courage

I've see courage in many places
In people's eyes and on their faces
I've seen courage in the movies and also in the news!
I've seen courage in the street and sitting on the very edge of my seat!
Sometimes it seems a bit wild but at other times it seems quite mild! 
But no matter where courage is found it can be found in the heart 
Of man, woman and child: even in the animal kingdom in the wild
In the man across the street: in a neighbour right next door
Even on the ambulance floor!
I've seen it in the faces at my church as people stand in front of many to preach
I've seen it is hospitals and ERs, in policemen in motor cars
In fire fighters and army forces as illnesses hit and take the courses
In the concerned faces of mother and child
Whether meek or maybe even mild but the greatest courage I've ever seen
Was in a mother in the hospital as she cared and watched her dear child
No matter what the world would bring: nothing would make her leave that child
Though child knew not who was there: that little child beyond all care
Would die and go upon her way: just like another born to her.
As I listened to the nurses tale: my heart grew sad and tears were shed
For my two girls though ill that night would live to see many years go by.
But her dear child had no where to go: her skull too small; no space to grow
No matter what that dear mother did: the truth from her could not be hid
How strong a little mother must be to know that soon; eventually
Another of her dearest ones would depart this earth 
Soul take leave of all the love she'd given there!

The Greeting dance

I know as I walk toward you I will feel a sudden chill
You look at me and then ask me how I'm feeling?
And Yeah, I know the drill! I answer "I'm fine thanks!"
Even though that's not how I feel
But if I try to say so you immediately seem so still!
You really don't want to know! You've too much on your mind!
It's just the standard enquiry: I hear it all the time
It's like a little dance: it's like a little rhyme
First you ask the question: I answer like on ice
You seem a little interested but you're just being nice!
I know the status quo! I know you want me to go!
You don't seem to realize that   only came to say "Thank You!"
For the help you gave me last time! 
I'm not here for more from you: I'm just being nice
So I answer as expected: move around a bit until
I can slip out the door and wish I could disappear at will!