Narcissist I


Money questions hidden in cultures
Instead of debates, we have the vultures
They will overspend whatever their budget
Destroy years hard work, their odour pungent

Often called users, epiphytes of highest order
Those that cannot earn sufficient to quarter
Or manage their own, so they use others
Spending, unfettered, is their druthers

Cannot accept responsibility for damage
Continue to feast on their host, they ravage
Hollowing out from inside, funds they suction
Weakening the structure for eventual destruction

And weakened, debates then start about savings
Too late, funds gone, too late for the cravings
Absent conversation, leaves a bad situation
Long ago, train of debate left the station

What we have now is death and decay
All caused by silence, as the vultures flay
It will not be long until they seek a new host
Just when their former home needs them most

So leave they will, to claw the next poor victim
Removing their talons of love and devotion
Moving on, leaving behind just carcasses
Warm used bodies, mark of a narcissist

From my window,
in corner of an eye,
see a pink flamingo.

Broad curves,
into familiar shape,
grounded legs,
Iron weighted.

Been there
for years,
quietly sitting,
amongst roses.

Pushed by storms,
changing winds,
yet surprising,
inner strength.

Retains balance,
keeps small piece,
staked out,
of much larger plot.

Slowly losing,
it's distinctive hues.
Dissolving,
fuchsia to palest pink.

Every family
has their own,
pale pink flamingo

..                                                       For as flying.        
                                                 ­              Spying
                                            ­             Places repose.  
                                                       ­Dream, suppose.      

   Dreams loll without respite       Shady oak.      Bright swirl spring breeze
      Of green crisp apple bite.    Shelter bespoke.   Insects morn, vast seas
        As gold burns warmer.    Sleep, still abuzz.    Clouds as beat wings
            Sun shadows corner        Seconds love.      Million insects sing

          Dreaming more light      Eyes shut, island.    Time goes, seconds fit
            Colours mix despite.     Twig woodland.     Seen today, exquisite
                Great light bested.      Instant, rested.      The rays pestered
                      Shadows nested      Dreams vivid.    Up, now rested
                                                          ­   Colours
                                                      ­          Mull

Desire
astounds, by glint of a smile.
Always careful when find,
dream wearing awhile.

In gold
reclaim, mindful of failings.
Gift precious when dare,
love among tailings.

Gates climb


News and paraphernalia
Modern communication
Internet on vacation
Today, rural Australia

Goes awol in valleys, hills
As seeking when hiding
Frustration biding
Trees, various pitfalls

An Insufficient population
Say Cannot build towers
Excuses bely hours
Trying, for connection

Work with what's known
Try cavalier solutions  
It's the execution
When, creativity shown

First try computer waving
Above head I'm shaking
Signal not taking
Despite, the swaying

Next option lying on floor
Hint of access, fleeting
Patchy greeting
So slow, won't store

Then stand on top of bed
Try to reach high ceiling
Wobbly feeling
Response, still lead

Despite heat, go outside
The temperature violent
Connection silent
If Home far, just beside

Time past, similarly stung
Found access best rate
The paddock gate
Balancing, top rung

Troop to gate hopes keen
As Searing heat, metal
Stand and settle
Tightly, cradle machine

Process long, time lost
A Connection success
Finally access
But who, counts cost?

Eventually, its loaded mail
As Balancing hold keen
Humorous scene
As Sway, in light pale

Internet access by Gates
Not Bill, Steve, Microsoft
Hung steel aloft
So basic, surely debates

Climbing for a signal now
Is the practical response
Sadly ensconced
As Rural, area know how

But surely it must be time
When access essential
Internet critical
Yet today, gates climb

Bare branches against a meagre sky
Leaves flap like birds moving by
Magpies song mute and taut
Garden chimes sadly retort

Dull light rising to steel grey cloud
Gathering with a heavy shroud
Leaves still fighting as hold
Dark dawn, presence unfold

A broken vase, angles jagged
With sharp protrusions, fingers
Barely holding, splinters
Unglued, finely balanced

Pieces lying one on another
Holds shape together, barely
Slightest tremor, injury
It all threatens to shatter

Vessel has its supports gone
The structure has no resilience
Absent lustre or brilliance
Shards in spotlight glisten

Why not glue the vase back?
Why leave dangerous pieces?
Painful protruding edges
Waiting to shatter or crack?

Fixing glass means danger
Can create injuries and worse
Injure self, injure others
And vase can break further

So, hold collective breath
And leave the shards askew
Meanwhile, dangers rue
Resolved only upon death

Your pupils collided, in crescent moon
Venus and Jupiter approaching swoon
Spiral of rings extend toward the Earth
Dancing upon your laughter and mirth

Lovers sway in light of distant planets
Built solid on base made from granite
Together a joy and beauty past slight
Two becoming one that stardust night

For most, death dark as night
As compare visions, flowers bright
Death brings maze, confusion imbue
Unsettling when grief raw, all can view

As we dislike being reminded
Of this time primal, while blinded
Reaction, pain, anger seem resigned
Instead I view death, a companion beside

As simple as falling leaf swept
Or seed floating, for winds to direct
For replacing fear, loneliness and strife
Recognition of death gives freedom in life

Fine droplets yearn in time discern
Moving while script written
We find beauty in forms we yearn
In sweep of wind listen
Our world a heart, rain is the mould
Watch skies in blood towards rolled
Our world, a heart
Our world, a heart
Clouds harbingers of lives untold

Torment forlorn,
memories drain,
gathering salt beside

Course rare,
valleys stain,
ageing lives remind

Mind womb,
amber retain,
moments before find

Pleasure brief
retrieve pain,
minds intricate design

Heated cheese, gooey head
as screams writhing.
Voices cackle, sense long fled,
nails board scrape, fleece,
dry scything.

Metal taste in jaw arriving
of sharp magma lead.
World is bent as pitch striving,
hot, red muddle increase,
coals spread.

Head beating as jaw swoons,
vice builds steel grip.
Confusion by drugs flail moon,
as soprano screeches piece,
tune shred.

Sauce pan cooks on shoulder,
steam heats, thriving.
As ventures across my left ear,
in fingers of molten grease,
pile driving

As the candles burn
Eiffel Tower is in relief,
we recall a city
whose presence is grace.

Grace in design
of style and of beauty.
So far removed
from recent pains transpired.

But while pains
will never be forgotten.
Anger burning,
pale flames have the answer.

Flames of life
spirit of remembrance.
In love recall
from warmth burn shadows.

Media is disintegrating.
Powerful Death Stars,
Internet smashed into
pieces of space junk,
floating meaninglessly.

Pale imitations of past
glories.  Instead, Blogs
and sensationalism are
bare distant relics of a
once proud profession.

Sunlight dapples in
between trees.

Images of brightest
green, pale lemon.

Gaily illuminating
your face, your laugh.

Intensity buzzes
in our shared desire.

As bees humming
around a delicate garden.

True North
to the heat of your eyes.

Sun starts gradually
setting into the West

One enquiry left
on an ever darkening stage.

Who be, if not
two bees, to dance by stars?

I turn into comets fire
you bend avoiding glare.
I imagine craters on moon
you are aglow in beauty fair.

I seek out falling stars
through blankets weave.
You thrive in colours seen
while black holes I conceive.

I observe planet rings
dangers in rock or stone
you are penning silver ink
as fairies dance past known.

As I go orbiting to left
and you aquaplane right
we meet as one in eclipse
in moments of pure delight.

Syncopated beat of bass
off beat to whirr
of conversation
bouncing around
xylophone ring
as cello claws

New tune, space, breathe
in autumns depth
drums rattle
military in sound
guitarist circling
hands implore

Long involved discourse
passionate corners
Pan pipe whirs
dances rebound
until bass sting
under scores

As Monday approaches
afternoon darkens
synth drags low
coffees ground
sky threatening
my cafe lore.

Was present, "long termer",
around years.
Has beaten odds, helped learners,
beat their fears.

Last eve, strange experience,
gave all, fright.
Had a funny turn in his appearance,
wasn't quite right.

Maybe stroke, small attack,
while seated.
Yelled to nurses urgently to get back,
checks greeted.

Tests and "risk man" passed,
cleared home.
As left, he crushed my hand grasped,
Eyes black, honed.

Felt strong underlying crawl,
right away.
Of black, dark, evil sweeping pall,
I heard death bray

So this burning disquiet rests,
now am thrown.
As the clinic tomorrow, commences,
he there, unknown?

Storm erupted


Another evening, peaceful at midnight
Stillness, rest, no interruption or light
People asleep, nothing to intervene
Soon turns to very different scene

A long faint shard Illuminates evening
No noise, brief white flash seething
Early morning, faint breeze stirs
The hint, noise, distant verve

Leaves faint skitter on the back patio
Sounds harbinger of a dark shadow
Light interrupts the dark frequently
A momentum gathers relentlessly

Breeze gathering in resolve, gale force
Its gusting, with a devilish resource
Trees thrown, branches thrashing
Light, noise together crashing

A vast crescendo of drums, rumbling
Bass, deeper peels, when tumbling
Booms accompanies the lightning
A sudden purple flash frightening

Bang, an enormous sudden explosion
House shaking, feel the commotion
In a violent instant felt threatened
Forceful, it's power deafened

In its angry wake is trail of damage
Houses and trees, impact savage
Electricity out, effect felt in days
Neighbourhood reacts in daze

Meanwhile the storm trails to the east
On distant houses, troubles sweep
Now to faint as rolling forwards
Huge force rumbles onwards

The noise, memory before morning
Damage counted as day dawning
A peaceful weekend interrupted
Night the violent storm erupted

::
::
::             Presence writhes as stirring
                        shaped guile is a breeze.

                          Wild urchin of mischief
                              while curling to tease.

                              Whistles while rushing
                                zephyr sighs as seethes
                            
                            ­      Leaps across gutters,
                                   pirouettes in leaves.
  
                                    As rustles in shade
                                        a tussle in trees.

                                              Evening
                                         rest to seize
  
                                  When upon morn
              left, barest shadow deceive.

Hot air balloons,
brightly float past,
light intersects.

Cafe, olive green,
old rounded chairs,
flimsy tables.

On an antique maroon
espresso machine,
a wizened lady.

Slight, bent,
hair coloured light brown
against grey.

Wearing black,
Greek mourning dress.

Only shop open,
muffins fresh.

Coffee rich,
delicate.

An institution,
may poets never
be exiled.

Days beginning,
most important.
Plato's forum.

Races at greyhound speed
across the manicured
lime grass of the park.

Pigtails twirling
in the breeze behind.

Red Wellington
boots at the ready
as she reaches the tree.

Her eyes smiling
at the rustle of leaves
from Crimson, through
yellow and brown.

She gathers a pile
and throws them to
the breeze.

The sun falling on
the rainbow colours,
her pink cheeks.

A lilting wind captures
her high pitched shrieks.

Tiniest three sprites
whispering whether
if today go together,
across bold sunlight.

Trapped their steeds
each a small harness,
destination but guess,
flying gossamer seeds.

Twirling onward skies
sun dances upon rays
into a warm heat blaze
brightly within disguise.

As travel past a valley
land in a soft meadow,
set free their shadows,
if floating we must tarry.

Yet more try and recall, in smokes dart
Time leaves less images it would seem
In a love held for one dear to my heart

I know I must treasure any time impart
A part of me already mourning a dream
Look inside eyes, know soon to depart

Not yet to think about time when apart
Idea I still cannot fathom in my esteem
In a love held for one dear to my heart
Look inside eyes, know soon to depart

Always say, hitchers be wary...

Rain drives eve, dark assassin
Pitied her, my new companion

Soaking wet in dress pale blue
Dropped her in Archer Avenue

Her shadow gone, in car though
Inside phosphorescently aglow

While clouds tumbled, chill scary
Had I driven Resurrection Mary?

Notice we always want,
what we do not have?
Mostly its money,
recognition or such.

Or, it's what we missed
or left behind.  
We pine for the
should have been ours.

Selfishly.

For we ignore,
this great gift.
We simply overlook,
what reflects in the mirror.

A unique collection of cells,
a grouping of thoughts,
living.  An unnatural state,
by rights, it would appear.

So maybe we should
instead consider ourselves,
unbelievably fortunate.
In simply living.

A lie is a spark in a pine forest
as it dances a weave in fir needles.
Bright embers jump in the wind as
they warm the speaker.

And most, quickly, find their end.
Extinguished, small burnt patches.
Cold, dark hollows, black soot,
in distant groves of conversation.

In each patch remains a potential,
when the winds of argument rise
and in heat of a battle stoked,
of a runaway wildfire.

Deep searing heat burning all
as it careers into a forest roof.
Conflagration less, if prior
planned burns completed.

Bed a moon shadow,
image grey crescent.

Your legs stretched,
taut, sleeping, bent.

Ears pricked sharp
cars morn disguise.

Hesitate to disturb,
pink gaze, sunrise.

Blonde hair swirl,
fine yellow straw.

Inks tattoo black,
in charcoal raw.

Eyes blink open,
red thread grain.

Reigns my plain,
fair lady, Spain.

I watch as sun reaches
day yet to appear.
Fresh rays searching
perservere
in vista this stillness.

I listen to still few birds
warble in throng.
Voices anew trailing
birdsong
lightly dusts the leaves.

As I observe a light vivid
In jewels afire.
A stars throng glinting
conspires
across greenest boughs.

I taste the greenery in
freshly cut lawn.
Life afire is stirring
morn
soon new day will wake.

Curiosity,
stir with,
directed enquiry,
add helping desire,
dash humility

Sift through,
experience.
Consider as
simmering.

Observe beach
high tide
some distant storm.

Waves swirling rage foam
as scouring the beach
moving loose earth
depositing sand
detritus, **** and shells.

Whittling away the shore
over time exposing
weaker bones of
limestone and
cavities of once solid rock

Water cleanses, removes
the dead and feeble
swept, wider out
predators wait
and feast on the carrion

Same waves tease
but yet
to take me away.

In faint edge find a light breeze
cutting through the koel’s song,
bustle of cars in amongst trees
as thunder rebounds in among.

To mesh of blue and grey skies
confining as a hand knitted top,
lightning fizz in zipped disguise
street crowds shelters if shops.

Between vast European brands
add upon best Asia can supply,
there are centres more strands
for miles as if the crows did fly..

Porsches racing Lambos speed
noisily down a one way avenue,
passing small trucks soon freed
are carrying tens to open view.

While clouds clear in moments
now the people walking return,
a sun bold is drying pavements
once more tourists parts burn.

Resting in hidden on a branch
koel’s continue a pitch refining,
another nest to join to tranche
their calls, Singapore defining.

Rolling breakers
sea of leaden clouds.
The shadow of a tree
highlighted toward horizon,
rustling of beak on fruit.

From far distant the raucous
squeal of cockatoos.
barely a breeze.
Wings beating past in still air.
Then darkness, quietude.

Tiniest shadow
of branches moving.
Frogs guttural croak.
And in nightfall captured
a veil of silence.

How do you hint one needs help?
When you realise there is wrong

Where do you aim when seeking?
As there is injury within already.

Where to start as mood draining?
Know will darken scene further.

But others meant to be assisting.
When does a fixer help oneself?

Papers leafed from
tan leather seats.

Decorative ceiling
gently illuminated.

Accounting alterations
create a vast paper profit.

II

Above old newspapers an
illegal sign requests money.

Morning sky clear,
temperature freezing.

Alcove lined
with cardboard boxes.

III

Separated by
two stories of building.

By years of strata,
history and fortune.

Respective felonies only
meet in glass shadows.

Life many mysteries would seem
I constantly scratch my head
Always can never find ice cream
Seems that aliens eaten instead

Are those big as to others small
Many have a common thread
Why a kitchen bin left to sprawl
Or why there is an unmade bed

Often household mysteries kids
Parents notice things unsaid
Balancing both haves or forbids
Praise as restrain judging ahead

Peer into the night skies. Now drive into the country, a view afresh.

As galaxies of timeless dimension.  Nebula born in distant sands of time.  
Clouds of energy and a kaleidoscope of colours.  

For bright lights can charge or obscure.
Dreams live when our souls yearn beyond darkness.

::
                                               Taxi
              |              bare metal in midday heat
              |        ripped edges reflecting the rays.
              |        (                                   ­       0          )
              |  Crumbling windscreens, magnet attaches,
            mirrors hanging, rent, as drops towards crusher.
            @@                               &                                  @ @                              
            Death row, last journey, left only a steel obelisk.
                Amalgam of plastics, metal, awaiting rebirth.

                    Be off away                        once again
                      when the                            jobs call.

When I find art
brightly questions,
answers entrancing,
lights space.

Emotions dart
wake suggestions
chords enhancing,
answer bass.

Memories start
whisper intentions
as imprints dancing
minds embrace.

Touch, impart
cloudy tensions,
our souls advancing
wisdom trace.

Funeral depart
Tune of emotions,
with tears glancing
my pained face.

Songs craft,
words suspension
be an ***** prancing.
Let it be, grace.

© A P Taylor,

Steel fog of messages,
televisions, white noise mists.
Metal industrial heater
burning brown coal.

Ridges of cold air snap,
press stories headlines leap.
Bush skyline winter burn,
kept in patrolled lines.

Clouds of wisps trailing,
phrases forward, reblogged.
Cars exhaust glows red,
as circle back roads.

Poetry uncoils sparks,
petrichor, instant before rain.
Fireflies dance circling,
embers bore space.

On gypsum is waltz of hair bristles
wood directing the form into brush,
seated in a chair an artist whistles
background ebon yet fingers plush.

Paints salvaged from marked tray
wizened hands flick cigarette ash,
ember burns in a stubby end grey
his yellow teeth grinding as gnash.

Few lights linger dark upon studio
they track his shuffles and sways,
a feeble body his mind burns true
shadows lengthen in paints craze.

In garden, rustles
the signature of thieves.
A yellow butterfly,
drifts as shadows ease.

Suddenly, tumult
winds encircling seize.
Shaken trees flail,
hustling now seethes.

Youngest dances
feet spraying leaves.
Say time to stop,
lip curls by degrees.

Gusts see us all
inside past eaves.
As SouWesterly,
my yard heaves.

Its darkest navy
seas onward bore
relentless as undercut
cliffs near the shore

not yet halted
as swarms up a beach
across bold sash
a deep golden crease

easy band of waves
reveals a carpet bare
vista though bold
in death and despair

being a combination
of life and movement
mix the colour which
is most verdant

green

In life, journey upon challenges based,
some treatment within times design.

Limits surprise spirits often,
as resources when assigned.

Decades by hours grow,
overcome, consigned.

II

Treatment based in decades
as sometimes, hours design.

Within, challenges often grow,
surprise when limits assigned.

Upon spirits, journey overcome
by resources my life consigned.

Bike engine, as raw muscle echoes plain,
baying to moon, in a questioning feign.

Hugging corners of this old byway
leaving mind, by tussle to weigh.

Roaring on this lonely odyssey,
journey never slow and easy.

Shadows linger upon sun,
open regrets, never one.

Ideas, a thought bubble,
constrained by a colourful
umbrella of canvas.

The inflatable was running
out of gas, chased by a
speedboat across a bay.

Leaving far behind
banks, stability and
vivid colours onshore.

Once people jumped off,
the purple banking balloon
was able to float ashore.

Remaining no wiser.
Leaving hot air, wet clothes
and the cast aside at sea.

Sky joins,
kisses the ground,
toward the West,
embers glow, burn.

A bonfire crackling
of deep orange churns.
Sits upon a kindling
of cotton candy cloud.

Burnt, the remaining
oxygen of daylight.

Escaping the flames,
sky facing frosts, cools.

Long, thin, ice floes
escape, as born in
walls of glaciers.

Frozen visions in
lilac, soft pink and
etched in violet.

Snow grey and
musk.

Horizon in a blink,
a sketch shaded,
in breaths.

Before eve
sweeps the vista
with a cloak of
stardust.

The trailing ring of a trams bell
competes with a guitars strum,
soon the old GPO tolls in swell
while chatter of voices to hum.

Tables and chairs out at lunch
the parking here closed by six,
public holiday less of a crunch
echo of voices in phone sticks.

The hum of trams hover upon
child after a treat whines loud,
toward Autumn grey, roof wan
rain gathering to a wry shroud.

As trams echo carries on past
upon their patina a clatter too,
languages of street flying fast,
barista stirs his caffeine brew.

I hand you stray scribbles to
mull over, fade to history whence.

I trouble your lips in my bliss
long recalled, our mists sentence.

I capture parts, your shadow,
while lullied by airs soft purring.

I twirl in hairs dancing song,
treasure steps joined unerring.

I drink you by shapes whole
picture a face scarves behind.

I see your wicked grin flare
before dark void to unwind.

I recall, so hold part of you,
memories treasured by two.

I wait responses as come
leash seizes my mirth true.

If I posit people are composed
of facets that vary in shade,
and that glint as sparkle
towards a stage.

Then, if so, could we describe
the behaviour of a gathering,
as glass prisms interacting
in a group together?

Baffling the light,
meshing shadows, while
at the same instant,
glinting in separate paths?

Hanging near to each other
in fixed positions,
that vary only in intensity
and not direction.

Meanwhile technology has
changed that simple linearity,
with parts no longer fixed,
but on separate rotating orbits.

In close contact, then away,
to deep darkness like comets.
As I begin to understand why
chandeliers are now passé.