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betterdays Oct 2017
small but fierce
comes to mind

three feet and a bit
of restless energy

hair so blonde and fine
it resembles spun cotton

eyes deep blue

and a mouth that moves
non-stop, with questions,
observations and affirmations

the thinness of her is that
that happens with a growth spurt

she walks trippingly, the line
between grace and gawkiness

she brings with her curiousity,
positivity and  a huge bouquet
of daisy's

my heart leaps, when she smiles
this little bit of strangeness

so used to the male child
the feminine is unfamilar

the small arms encircle me
and squeeze love into my soul

and the laughter, that tinkles
from her lips lights up the room

she is come, she is come
a visit from my god daughter.... about elevenish....all energy and love
betterdays Apr 2014
i suppose,
i must, i must, i must,
go forth, go forth,go forth,
into this brave day.

but know this, truly,
i crave, i crave, i crave,
to stay, to stay, to stay,
alone, here away from,

the maddening crowd,
at play, at play, at play,
too loud, too loud, too loud,
for my disconcordant mind.

if i had
my way, my way, my way,
i would hide,
away,away away,
over there
with books, with books,
with books
and uninterrupted solitude.

but my lot is such,
that a hermit,
i am not!
nor most days,
want to be.

but,today, today,today,

the words penned above
make up my mind's
clockwork soliloquy.

please let me hide
my face, my face, my face.
in this peaceful
place, place, place,
just til i catch my,
breath, breath, breath.
napo wrimo day 23
prompt; i did n't feel comfortable(at all) with today's prompt ... to use a foriegn language poem  and write a verse utalizing the sounds the words made.
(for me it was disrespectful to the beauty and intent of the writers words)
so i give you this instead..
i have not written in this style before.
so it did stretch the poetry in flight wings.
betterdays Apr 2020
Flower sticks dried out
Stand sentenal to
a life ruled by busy laziness

Once vibrant petals
Hang with tenacious
grace, determined in death
to remain relevant,
Notes of a happier time

There epitaph ..
need to do something
with those flowers
echoes in my mind as
i again brush pass them on
my way out the door
betterdays Apr 2017
it is true
that until
some one
has gone from you
you do not know how will
miss them...

i miss sitting quietly
with you after a day's work
tea cups in hand, savouring
the fragrance of smoky tea
and the silence that comes
from a deep sense of compainionship

I miss, coming upon you sitting on a bench
face turned toward the sun, hands spread wide
i  an act of joyful worship, a smile lighting up
your face,

I miss the itense look of concentration, as you
described a new thought or concept to others
and the loosed limbed wonder of you as you
came alive upon the stage....

the generosity of heart and spirit,
your allocentricity...

all these things i miss and more
and most days I find some new
thing that I miss...

but...
my missing you
is a living elegy

I miss most
the sound of your voice in my ear
...but I hear the echoes
that tell me....
you are stronger than this
....just breathe on through
and wait
for the sun to shine for it will, it will
Todays prompt: write an elegy, incorporating a phrase or mannerism of the subject
betterdays Jun 2014
you leave me abed
with only the echo of your warmth...

my heart, sleepily bereft.
but my body, mindful
of opportunity stretches,
rolls over to sleep a few hours more.....

before waking to start the cool winters morn..
ben, left the warm bed at 3am.   to go further up the coast for four-five days for work.... my heart misses him
my body glories in the expanse of a bed all to oneself...
betterdays Apr 2017
heres is the story of
Bad boy Bill...
..with slight of hand
he had the plate
with eight pieces
of skate
which he quickly ate
not that he was
a deadweight
he did share
with a mate
before he did
donate the *****
plate to the nearest
gutter grate
he was a pick pocket
that he could not debate
he had given going straight
a trial but could not cognate
the traits of the cheapskate
state that gave him too many
gates to open only to end up
at the same old checkmate
so after beating his breastplate
he went on the lam
lashed out against
the ingrate magnates
and after a spate
of flyweight burglaries
he now awaits
as a sometimes
somnambulate inmate
at the pleasure
of the  abrogate state
in a room slightly
larger that a crate
with a surly
burly bedmate.
they who dictate
think he will be
down for at least eight
he was at this news
discombobulatedly
disconsulate
But that is the fate
of those who hesitate
to choose bad over good
and manipulate the laws
of the land.
Bit of silliness for the boy..with a handy lesson thrown in....some ones been stealing biscuits
betterdays May 2014
elephants have memories
long,
to my way of thinking,
that must be hell!

imagine, remembering
in detail,
fine and complete.

the days of your life.
beginning at number one,
when all slippery,
slimed and mucked,
you were forcibly expelled,
into a world, of hard knocks.


image, each stumbling step
as you grew,
each slur,
each pointed arrow flung your way,

first fall, first hit, first miss
first kiss and all the desperation, set between.

and then,
you hit your teens.
emotionally bruised and battered
and running for the bell
placing 563rd  in the
contest of popularity.
trying new styles of clothes, dreams and personalities.
hormones raging, momma texing, paging,
virginity flexing
and all the other
****** bluff...guff....stuff
..."hell yeah i can never get enough"

finally you get to remember,
the grown up stuff.
projects due, bills to pay,
finding somewhere half decent to stay, grocery lists,
other people constantly ******,
in a it's all your fault kinda way.
deadlines,
diminishing lifelines, standing in unemployment lines,
waiting to pay a fine lines,
playing mine or yours in
your divorce foray.
and honest to god,
thats just the day to day
k-rap.
living low and *****
until the next pay comes along.

ok, there would be,
indeed some,
remembered joys,
some flowers,
among the weeds.
but thats mere fodder
and seeds,
for a better poem .....
written on a better day.

so finally you are old.
you are so, over it!
all creak and cracks, pills,
bad backs and bengay..

not to mention, the teeth
that sit in water glass smiling away,
all night.
on the table bedside.
that my friend, is just not right.

you are counting down the days, the hours...
watching.....home and away.

til one day,
you make the mortal coil's end...
and your shift is done and dusted.
bucket kicked,
daisies planted,
dirt kissed....
                  .....recalled.

all that.... and ba-jillion more
memories looking for time
on the elephant's mammoth mind - memory  dancefloor.
free flow... started at one place
then left......
the safari tour
so it is a ramble,
wart(hog)s
and all. ..... lol.....
betterdays Dec 2018
tis time
said the elf in my ear
tis my time of year
unpack the baubles
the lights,
tinsel
and gear
the merryest of merry
times is near

said I to the elf
get back on tne shelf
nay get back in that box
good gosh and begorrah
calm down your striped socks
it is five  in the a.m.
December the 1st

said the elf, in my ear
I know the time
I let you sleep a whole
four hours and 59 nine minutes
over the strike of my first happy day

so now
get your great *** into gear
this is the only time  I see
the otherside of the box
after months locked down
so get it together mother dear

hang the lights
and let them twinkle
place the tree and
smell the pine needles
and the faint
odour of cat ******?
watch them as they shed
hang the baubles that sit
differently to how they
looked in your head
throw tinsel at that sucker
till it glows and shimmers
knowing that stuff gets every where
even  into the cats stomach and bed

bring on the cheer ,bring on the glee
bring out the angels, the santas, and me

start buying presents
and wrapping  them furtively
have the discussions about
what to buy for those less near
buy the cheap and nasty,  or
the  credit card dear
buy the simple or make the  stuff
or simply divert payments to next year
as if we mostly don't have
more than enough

remember those gone and those left behind
keep them close to heart and to mind
think of those with out resource or recourse
make  some adjustments in order to be kind
and give away joy to  some you don't know
could well  become their reason to stay ...not go

come on said the elf it is time we began
got to get ready, spread a little love accross
your patch of this land, don't be a grinch,
a scrooge or sadsack,  you gotta have
the big jolly-mans  back

and while we are here
conversing and such
remember  the reason
for all this fuss,
doesn't matter,
the religon, the caste
or the creed..
as this time approaches
take moments to reflect
upon this years closing
and hope with joy
and no fear
for love to conquer all
in the future year

said  I to the elf
yammering away in my ear
well said  young  chap
time to get on my good cheer
So this is a bit of rambling sillness for the holiday season, whatever your belief, what ever your fears, take time to look around and share some hope and love and hopefully you will reap the same.. love and hope...
betterdays Jan 10
Pigeon toed  wombats
Determinedly trundle by
Heading  to burrows
we were lucky to see  one large(mother) & two smaller wombats
whilst on an early  bushwalk... they are such soli, determined yet comical creatures .
betterdays Jul 2014
there is a door....
eight weathered, slats of wood.
each slat, about four inches wide.

the door has,
in it's upper-right quadrant,  
a small, face sized window,
with,a pale,dove-blue curtain.

this door, has been painted
purple,
the colour, difficult to describe,
tho, reminiscent of shades of
carbon paper, or gentian violet....
deep, vibrant, solid, regal,
intriguing....

the path, which leads to the
door,
is gently curved, across the lawn.

blocked sandstone,
in a mix of large and small stone,
the colours of,
clotted cream and aged parchment paper.
and on either side,
a mix of, blue lobelia and  
happy faced purple pansies.

the door handle is bronze.
large and ornate
and on closer inspection,
is in the form of a mermaid.

the letter slot, etched with
seashells and starfish

at my feet, inscribed into
the top step...
"those who don't believe,
in magic,
will....
.....never find it."* R.Dahl.

and next to this door,
set into the wall.
an exact replica, of what i have just described,
only, nine inches tall

do not know,
who lives,
behind this door....
but i am, so going to find out.
i have since, knocked.
the house belongs to, Seb.
a bushy bearded landscaper,
and his artist wife, Chloe.
they are coming to dinner,
on tuesday.
betterdays Jun 2014
*******,down, sue
even from the grave,
you suprise....

i open the door to a knock,
two delivery men.
one burly, one stout,
stand on the threshold.
with a letter and a box.

the letter, from your solicitor
said.....
this is your bequest to me....
okay, i got a box of stuff....
nice, but then i read more...

you have bequeathed to me, your office, contents.
entire and intact....
the delivery men ask me where i want it put...

i say in the shed out the back
there....
so now an hour later...

33 boxes , computer, desk office chair, three foot mask
making block, and  various
posters, painting prints and
other items of theatre practitioner's paraphenalia,
sit in piles,
ordered and hapahazard,
in amongst ben's benches, tools and lathes.

and me,
i sit in, the old red leatherete, institutional,
easy chair,
holding the sack of paper and teabag infused garbage,
that came with your office.
entire and intact...

i am both laughing,
at this absurdity
and sobbing at the fact....
that this office,
will evermore,
not have,
the integeral piece,
that makes it whole,
....entire and intact...
for you my friend
....are gone
and not ever....
coming  back.
thier is a largesse in this gift
i cannot explain....but also a wicked sense of humour....
so very much my friend sue..
betterdays Aug 2014
life in a pond
small magnitudes
at work

all those minute lives
living large and long
in an enlarged puddle.

oblivious,
to the immensity
of the beyond


inception to deriliction
and the decay that
nourishes after
the whole cycle
in the same watery place

i so think that there is
something, quiet wonderful
in that...
betterdays Apr 2014
morning has broken... me
and my swirling head
....the blackbird has spoken
to me of life .....choices and
....bad breath
the cat of humble has .....
dragged me home
and left me....bedraggled.....
....upon the kitchen mat...
for the daylights bright
corusculating light
to pin me..... between the eyes
....my remedy... of coffee black
with asprin on the side...
is over glacial plain
......hangover wide
mountain..... of  roaring
rending, sounding, guilt
....top high
let the shower hot then cold
then freezing then hot......
cleanse the grit, grime
tequila lime, rime..... away
...........time to be bright
... time to be right.....
           .....and start the godamned day
old friends, tequila and a late night spent as tho i was again 22, too many nips not enough water as i said entirely my.....
betterdays Jan 2015
sometimes
failure
is
an
appropriate
response

for
without
failure­

grace
would
lie
dormant
within
our
hearts
betterdays Oct 2017
at one time, for a time,
you were my greatest love
at one time, for a time,
i could not have hated you more
at one time, for a time,
i could not live without you
at one time for a time,
i wished you dead

and now I see you in the park and feel nothing
it is like passing a stranger, albeit with a haunting face
we see each other, look away and then come together
we speak with awkard grace, making the smallest of talk
before hastening away, knowing that bridge
was long made ashes and we were calling across the abyss

at one time, for a time, our hearts beat as one,
synchronous and now our tempos are so different,
the past only an offbeat echo.....heard faintly on the wind
i wish you well my erstwhile friend....my forgotton lover
that moment when you see a past lover, and the awkward conversation you have...... before gratefully parting....knowing the past is the past...
betterdays Jul 2014
we will .....go.... to the woods
...soon... up on
..the mountains fringe...
that is ....where.... nature....
has placed.... it's great ..............demarcation line......
                                  where ...........the rat race ...ceases.......
          ...to exsist.....
                                   where......
the quiet just.... eases ..into your soul...

and ......
              your soul changes

first.... with momentary bliss
as.......you turn off.......
.... the technology
but... then you.... want....
                more
and... so you.... slow your step ... ....watch the wind.... in the trees
the birds.... over head,
...lizards ...in ...the leaf litter..
...undergrowth                                  a lady beetle ...bright jewel ...on your coatsleeve....
                       .......and that is when
..you sigh....
.......and truly let it go...
let it all drop... let it all behind
and.....
              i see my love
                          ........the world
.....roll off your shoulders
here ....in the woods...
....among the trees...
betterdays Apr 2015
hurry, hurry, hurry
hush hush hush
must be quick
must be quite
but we must rush

stay in the shadows
run through the dark
don't give the game away
as we flit through the dark

keep on going til the sun rise
quiet as mice, fast as hares
away from the fighting
away from despair

to a new life, with new cares
where it is not about belief
where all are treated fair...

carry the message,
deep within your heart
we are all human
we all are the same
no matter the religion
no matter the creed
freedom a desire
love a basic need.
hurry, hurry, hurry
hush, hush,hush.
was thinking of  a refugees  plight as I wrote this....
betterdays Aug 2014
there are some things,
that just smell so good:
corn freshly shucked, potatoes roasted in campfire coals, carrots fresh from the ground, then washed   and stovetop roasted
basted with butter
and lavender honey.

the nape of my toddlers neck,
that clean fresh hopeful little boy smell.
coffee, straight up, freshly brewed
caramel warming,

passionfruit, strawberries, citrus any type, zested. freshly planed fennel curls, mint crushed for a mojito, roast lamb and rosemary gravy.

the smell of planed wood in the palms of my man's hands as i kiss them. frangipani, coconut tanning oil,
earth newly rained upon. popcorn popping, chocolate melting,
jasmine, orange blossoms,
a grove of pine trees.
warm gingerbread and mulled wine.

salt tang on the morning breeze.
the smell that lingers after the lovin.
garlic and ginger in a hot wok.
salt tang on the evening breeze.
prawns all sea salty and
a crisp cold beer.

sandlewood and citrus aftershave lotion on your smoothed cheek.

nectarines, apricots,
a yellow juicy peach,
freshly bitten.

apple scented shampoo daphne & lilac my nana's smell,
bay *** newspaper print and palmolive soap,
my pop's study.

rose petals crushed.
earl grey tea,
toast just before burning damper and cocky's joy
crisp fresh linen warm from the sun.

so many scents, so many smells...
these are my favourites please feel free to add your's, as long as it's clean
and above board.
damper=camp fire bread similar to soda bread
cocky's joy=goldensyrup.
betterdays Apr 2014
i carry you, with me.....
etched on my bones.
anywhere, everywhere,

i go

you are my strength, my solidity.

all

my musings, mutterings,
my sonances, my oratory
exhortations....

sing

to your, soulful simplicity.

all

my waiting,
for you to...come.... become
is, as, was,
done by groaning
or is, as, was
birthing ecstasy
no redemption, from loving
no surcease, from lustful longings

(for you are my line,
my is, as, was, will be....)

now

i lay....open....

replete....sate...

before you... beneath you...

no page unturned
no secret lies fallow
no place unplough-ed
their you are... there you be

(my again, my line, my always was, my is)

and it's you... it is you...

you are....  
letters and numbers and music and coda
it always of is you

here is us,
we be here

all  

the graphite secrets
now engraved we have
upon one another
for of the ordering of
the paper-ed hearts

and

the inordanate wonder 
of an unspent page and lucent lines of lovers worth
we write,(wrote) and write again ..... 

(a mulling, mewling, mumuring togetherness line)

begetting
steaming, sensual, searing
metallicgraphics
filliagreed upon my bones to the isolation of the world we are lost, torn apart, asunder...

be we here, together be,

my soul

knows your love
etched upon my bones
we are never apart
we are all
we are line,
entwined together.
betterdays Nov 2024
The little blue teapot was exactly that, small,
enough for a sant two cups of tea
or an almost generous mug

In saying it was blue,
It was a comforting
royal shade,
with a shining glaze
Stoutly round
With a sphere as
the top notch  handle
All in all
a cheery
little thing
Cheap
and
utilitarian

How many cups
had it processed:
delivered
with a
drip or dribble,
that was at first annoying,
but
eventually
becoming
an endearing part
of the overall charm of the piece

It would be generous to say
millions;
But
truthful to say
thousands
of  
thousands
As the age of the *** was 12+years
of  almost continuous service.
In which time
it had been
witness
to every
emotion.
Conversations baring
soul and psyche.
Mental discombobulation
and
emotional acrobatics that would  easily gain
employment  with
Circe de Soleil
All whilst sitting  solidly still
  on the table of the day.
The little blue teapot was simply
a background character
in the soap opera
of it's family
and their friends

And
because of this,

It's
sudden
shattering
demise,
upon the slate floor yesterday.
Brings forth this eulogy to an everyday object  
Considered
by many
to be just
a thing
But to this family
a treasured piece
of daily routine.

Reached for
with
muscle memory.
A dash of color
at breakfast,
Comfort
on a cold night
A genies lamp
to a
small boy's
growing imagination.
A gift
from
one friend
to
another,
for the
shared  cup
of
Russian Caravan Tea
and a chat
that set the world to rights,
at least for another day
or two.

The little blue teapot was exactly that,
Ordinary
But also;
So much more
than it
purported to be.
So...
so
much more.
betterdays Dec 2024
Storm clouds gathering
Big ants carry baby ants
To safe high ground
betterdays Jul 2014
the boy,
trails a piece
of brown twine,
with paper tied loosely,
to one end, around the dry green brown lawn.
it is for the little
grey, blue cat, to chase
and pounce upon,
a game, they never tire of.

the father,
tends to the flowerbeds,
with copious trips of
the watering can.
the water restrictions
forbid the use of the hose, and the plants must drink
to survive.
whilst to-ing, back and forth, from tap to plant,
he keeps an eye
on the boy as he plays.

the mother,
sits on the front steps
and watches all,
with cool drink in hand.
she has just finished, preparing the night's repast and has left it
simmering, gently
on the stove.
she takes this moment,
to escape the kitchens heat and sits in the cool sea breeze.
taking immense joy, in watching the afternoon, wind down in such a restful way.
the cat,
pounces on the string
pulling it gently from the boys grasp.

the family
laughs at his rolling,
pawing antics, as he, truimphs in his catch.

before picking up
the cat and boy
and walking inside,
to the smell of chicken curry, green but mild.
betterdays Nov 2017
the day ends with a shower
rain falls through a golden sunset
and the rainbow stretches out past the waves
another *** of gold given to the deep blue water
i breathe in the smell of rain as a gather damp washing
to hang under the verandah's eaves
the cat watches from the window
meowing for his dinner
the rain feels cool on my face
betterdays Apr 2014
dog
barks
warning

cat
purrs
welcome

woman
embraces
couch

man
unpacks
car

toddler
cuddles
nana

family
comes
home
six
brevettes
written

on
arriving
home

at
evenings
end
betterdays Sep 2014
i see today,
the first glimmering
of summer,
in the curl of green nails,
on the deadman fingers
of the frangipani.

i see today,
the last sighs of winter
in the dessicatted, crumbling, leaves being,
blown ever which way
by the gusting, September winds.

i see today spring,
coming up,
in shoots of green,
sprung from the rain softened soil.
all different hues,
of potential and expectation
rising from the ground.

i see today, the the last glimpse of autumn,
in that pallette of a leaf,
stubborn throughout the winter now finally,
come to grief and floating, serene in silent submission, on the pond of koi.
the oranges and browns
blending into the watered background.

i see today,
all the seasons,
in the sky
and all around me,
time moves forward
and every moment,
counted as precious
and noted by this poets eye...
first day of spring, here...
and it is a glorious day!
betterdays Jul 2018
between us
our breath mists
as we pursue passion
this  night of zero  degrees
our ardour is  summers hottest day
as the sweat cools upon  bared *******
we reach an apex our very own everest
and then become aware of the chill in the air
a nonette
betterdays Jun 2014
everafter
           they lived
                       happily

why,
because, they took the
time, to beat the wolf back
from the front door.

because, they caught the sky, as it fell down on them.

because, they sold the magic beans on to some rube from another town.

because, they decided red was just not their colour.

because, they kissed enough frogs.

because, their knight did not
get lost in the forrest.

because, they knew the words to bippety-boppety-boo.

because they liked miners.

because they did not develop
a sweet tooth.

because.......
            
there was,
                a time,
                      once, they
       wished..... upon.. a    
                
               ...moon...
this poem came from a prompt......once upon a time
and happily ever after.
(and is reposted, by mistake,
happily so......)
betterdays Oct 2014
i sit on the edge
of your bed.
stroking your fine golden
hair,
as you murmur and mumble
in your sleep.

you had once again,
thrown off your covers
and lay with arms and
legs oustretched.

you are outgrowing
these pyjamas,
with the curious george
print.
you are out growing
this narrow bed,
made...
as your first,
big boy bunk

and sadly you are
outgrowing the toddler's
need,
to be within sight of
the mother.

i am glad you are defining
youself,
as independant.
i am glad you are going
through,
this season
of seperateness.

as it gives us,
comfort to know,
the examples we have set,
allow you to be,
a happy, carefree child
who can,
enjoy his own company
or,
can play within a group
quite happily.

but i do miss,
your squishy little hand
in mine...
i do miss,
those clinging cuddles
and the nestling
of your little body,
fitting, squirmily,
into the side of mine....

i must ask Da to design
a bigger bed for you....
perhaps now,
you can help him build it.

you have now  settled
back into deep sleep,
my golden boy
and yet,
i cannot  take
my leave of you....

i linger,stroking,
your sleeping head,
drinking in,
the last vestiges of my baby, my toddler...
my growing up, ever up,
faster than i thought...
little man..
betterdays Dec 2024
Every mans a poet,
for from their heart
flows, words that to;
lover, wife,child
brother or friend,
Words that sounds
like they are;
from god's lips ,
that  change the
greyest day to blue,
that inspires greatness.

These words
may be
mangled metaphors,
dodgy rhymes,
half remembered quotes
mixed with hard won wisdom
Or simple wrds spoken  
with excellent timing
that gives hope
to those
within earshot.

There are those
who excel at the artform
and write poem
after it poem,  
publish books
and become revered
as poets
and
there are those
who put the poetry
they write to  music
and become songwriters

But we mus also consider
That there ate those
who write
the beauty they hear
in their heads
on scraps and snippets
of paper
which they then  
hidden away
in a drawer
forgotten
and found
after
the writer's
demise
And there are those
who write in
the secret rooms
inside thiet head
on imaginary blackboards
that will never
be seen or heard.

And of course
there are those
who find a clan
of like minded people online
and write with the hope
of encouragement  
and gentle criticism.

We are all poets,  
no matter
if there is
one line of words
strung together
that makes
your soul
or the soul
of your loved one
sing

Or if your
output rivals that
of the greatest  
acknowledged
writers,
with commendations
and prizes galore..
Both are poets to me..
betterdays Mar 2017
I sit amongst
people I know
people who have
the same blood
and the same
historic milestones

and yet we are so different

i feel the black sheep coat
knitting itself about me once more
high turtle neck choking me
and wool coarse, causing my soul
to itch and raise hives...

as i sit  with family
but excluded by feelings
both mine and their
I must be true
and cry mea culpa... too

when  I was younger
I ran to the end of my tether
and was held to the family tree
by mere threads  
of silken spider web loyalty

then as I aged  
I reeled myself
back to the shore
of shared mythology

only to find my time
of freedom at the
end of the line
gave me a permanent
feeling of never having
been there...

and now as they visit
the mother of us all
we sit in polite conversation
about the progeny of us
and I think that
our particular dysfunction
is more of an exclusion
of the intricate nature
of bonding and care...

we are tied loosely
this bundle of family sticks
and I fear once
the bind that ties
the love of our mother
most dear
is torn from us
even now
she is threadbare
and once that is broken

our nature of exclusion
will scatter us to the wind
.....a family tree laid bare
This is me, trying to understand the pathways my brothers and I have taken....and will take as my mother's health continues to decline..... forgive me if it is mawkish...
betterdays Oct 2017
gotta, no gonna be like
aesop and his fable
slap a moral
on the table
talk about
old slow poke
tortise on his hike
up against a speed freak
hare  

zikes

this is harder that
it seems
like interpereting dreams

better yet
start again
find a new refrain
gotta make an original
stain
gotta use my incredible brain
bring a new flavour
new story to savour
not some tired old jam
not for this poetry slam

so here goes
follow the flow
stay in the know

don't be a facsimile
a sad printed copy
take the high road
and write a new load
of originality

be one with totality
up at the mountains peak
where the angels speak
to those,
who have time
to listen.

one word, one world
glows and glistens
that word be, free
that word be LOVE
and love be liberty
to a soul broken

so the morale of
the day
freely give love away
as truth,
not a carnival token

the wise old woman
(yeah that be me)
now has spoken.

done now with
her word spin
done now

gotta go do
as she say
take some action

go give a nobody
a kind reaction
some hugular compaction

be a friend
to the friendless
the possiblities
endless
let charity
have a say
be brave this day

go on now
be on your way



-fin
betterdays Sep 2014
there
is
so
much,
magic
in
the
motes
of
light,
limed
dust,
that
dance
in
windblown
ecstasy,
before
my
sl­oe
lidded
eyes,
as
i doze
in
the
sunkissed
study,
of
my
much
blessed
house,
so
that
is­
why
i
smile,
while
dozing,
utterly
and
blissfully,
content
in
my­
very
own
fairytale.
for joe coles magic prompt
betterdays May 2014
falderal and balderdash
two little imps,
of some small renown.

falderal is a skinny,scrawny slip of a thing.
all intelligent darkness, rootlike in nature.
all grasping and clinging hands and feet.

balderdash, well he is
as his name implies,
round and shiny.
far less than exceedingly bright.
stolid, and cat curious,
smile quite endearing,
but a sense of humor
to be fearing.

imps they are,
as already stated,
of the cadre of earthbound. they are to each,
the yingle to the yangle,
the left to the right,
the peanut butter to the jelly, the day to the night.

apprentice and journeymen they be,
falderal quick to rush through the ranks. balderdash on record,
for longest ever time,
at the start of the race.
they are attatched to the place,
the "rooms" if you will.
of the quacksalver,
come life's strife coach, buttinskimentor.
(he thought to modernise and appeal to a larger demographic spread of people).
the shingle over his eaves, pronounces his name to be, hi. p.r. condriac esq.
if you please.

one day it might be,
when you are feeling,
confused and perhaps,
a tad frail
you skim your junk mail, then, you may find his brightly hued pamphlet,
just skitters to the pile top
and with the dust of conviction spread over thick, and a little innoccuos doubt, another mind trick.
you stupidly think i might try this chap out!
his work sounds appealing, if somewhat radical,
i hope i get lucky
and he gets to revealing,
the source of the foot odour, the smell in my shoes.
that makes me think of hell, and regurgitated *****.

unbeknown to your goodself you have begun, a set of trials, a hopless spell,
a winding serpentine course of sysiphian tasks,
(at a kind and generous 10percent off)
to rid yourself of,
this unholy smell,
which really is,
if i am a secret to tell,
the *** of falderal
and of course the sweat of balderdash's shiny brow,
and places less mentionable,
applied with delighted relish and made to stick with medical grade super glue.

and so after months of debraiding your life,
a light switches on
and an epiphany occurs,
you become wise to these minions of strife
and garner up the courage to yell "
it is a sham and he, but a shylock"

you then wend your way back to the good doctors rooms.
i can garantee you he will not be there,
to listen to your plight,
with due care he has long since,
packed up his snake show, revved up his vespa
and into the night's cacophony,
he has driven,
with journey man falderal and apprentice balderdash, in tow,
clinging on tight,
to the rear mudguard.

he now has other fools in his sight.

as to the problem of the pongy shoes,
to be rid of the smell.
the answer so simple,
you will hear in your mind the loud ringing of bells. garbage the lot shoes,
socks as well.
walk the world barefoot.
you will not be mocked,
but you may find that people mention the words,
slightly eccentric,
when you come to mind
betterdays Apr 2016
treeshaper and huggiver
lived a life of comparative luxury
on the sandedge of the whale road

knowledgespinner lived with them
they were three, happy souls

in a comfortbox, with a nannexe
for  lifeknitter as she gathered
her olderyears...

they had two furlings
one tuxedocat, who hunted air
one longdog with boundless energy
and little understanding.

they did daily things,
but were happiest
when daily things,
were done
and the could
be together as one

fambily..
a kenning poem of sorts
betterdays Sep 2014
in they bustle,
all gangle, jangle,
gossip and hangovers.

shoes off,
displaying,
a variety of socks.
paired, odd and holey

and then, we begin,
by greeting the sun
and follow thru,
to twistings,
of the tongue,
limber up,
both mind and body.
voice work too,
some improv games,
just enough to....
rattle the brain.

before beginning,
the "mash up project"
in which they pick
two scenes,
from
classic and well known works
and create a scene,
using them...

10 percent of
semester mark.
some interesting choices,

macbeth meets mother courage.
r&j;, on the streetcar of desire.

but my favourite so far,
metamorphosis at pinter's
birthday party.

oh! the young creative mind,
is such a glorious,
unbound thing....
as is the older more tempered creative mind...
these young guys tho
absolutely fearless...
betterdays Mar 2014
gem scones
and ginger loaf bread,
slathered with farmfresh butter.

washed down with
oh so **** cold home made
lemonade ices.

little pots of salmon rillettes
and tiny potted prawns
eaten on crisp potato wafers.
crustless finger sandwiches
of cucumber and tomato,
grown twenty feet to the left
of where we sit.

in the shade of the radiata pine tree.
minted gingerale punch.
sunshine dappled light,
playing on fine glassware.

the aromas of ovenlove
mint, pine, ginger, citrus
and salt,
mingle with old spice and
lavender water, of the grands, dozing,
as they sit baking, basking,
in the afternoon heat.

high tea,
at the homestead farm.
on the windswept coastal
plain.

once every couple of months,
awaited with much, anticipation.
remembered with much
fondness
a feast of food, family
and  much love.
a memory of family gatherings
betterdays Apr 2016
with apologies to WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

(from Henry V, spoken by King Henry)

Once more to the table, dear friends, once more;

Or close up our hungry mouths with supermarket staples.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man

As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of hunger blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger;

Cut fine the sinews, simmer up the blood,

Disguise cheaper meats with hard-favour'd sage;

Then lend the stirring spoon a terrible aspect;

Let pry through the portage of the foccacia bread

Like the brass cannon; let the garlic o'erwhelm it

As fearfully as doth a galled onion

O'erhang and jutty his confounded  tomato base,

Swill'd with a wild and wasteful Cabernet Savignon.

Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,

Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit

To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.

Whose ragu is fet from Nonna's fail proof recipe!

Nonna's that, like so many  Stephanie Alexanders,

Have in these parts from morn till even, baked

And brewed their sauces  and stews, for lack of argument:

Dishonour not your mothers; now attest...

That those whom you call'd mothers did feed you well

Be copy now to men of larger appetites

And teach them how to eat.

And you, good yeoman,

Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

The mettle of your belt; let us swear

That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;

For there is none of you so hungry,

That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
Found poetry review prompt Napwrimo#2 using magazines, advertizing material etc and a known peice if writng create a piece of poetry......this my attempt
below the original piece
 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

(from Henry V, spoken by King Henry)

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;

Or close the wall up with our English dead.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man

As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger;

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,

Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;

Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;

Let pry through the portage of the head

Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it

As fearfully as doth a galled rock

O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,

Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.

Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,

Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit

To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.

Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!

Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,

Have in these parts from morn till even fought

And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:

Dishonour not your mothers; now attest

That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.

Be copy now to men of grosser blood,

And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,

Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

The mettle of your pasture; let us swear

That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;

For there is none of you so mean and base,

That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
betterdays May 2014
tonight as we settle in
the sky a lavender- grey
twilight
seems ancient, eons old
but then again...maybe it's just me
betterdays Apr 2019
pride wars with regret
old men march in ranks depleted
medals clink  in time to the town band
children hold grand childrens hands
then the bugler plays
and as the notes fly into silence
old men cry in defience of age
that has wearied
and remembrances of those gone before
they remember more and more
lest we forget ...
sunshines in the bluest of skies
and there is youth once more in tired eyes
anzac day 2019
betterdays Sep 2014
the citrus caviar
of the finger lime
is introduced to the
tongue

where the spheres
of sunshine and
pale green love
sit tingling.

until upward
pressure is applied
by the tongue being
placed against the roof
of the mouth

and the jewelled sacs
burst, releasing their cargo,
all **** and refreshing,
evoking a fine summers day
with just a hint of,
exotic islands in the aftertaste

and a desire,
for more delicate,
citrus love...
betterdays Apr 2014
our lives are balanced on if
  our recorded time is only
a tool, a feathery pen we
must  grow, mayhaps, then we can, we could
scrawl and scratch and scribe and write
to give our hearts freedom to just
fly and soar, for a moment in grace by
the simple act of laying
aside our
fearful and muddied fingerprints
we move forth, we move on
gifting to our otherselves the
liberty, of a  pristine, white, page
to do with, what we will, this
is what the insecure self, the afeared,  would
most like to  avoid
the nothingness that comes after  hurt
the numb, null, nothingness we
do not desire, but, none the less,  incur
as we delve in
to the heart, of  ouselves questing
wanting, needing, hoping for
a tiny, ephemeral spark of  originality
some thing, to state, emphatically regardless
of creed, of colour, of birth we are  of
one breed, one clique, one clan, one tribe the
voice of truth, so unaware, of inherent *costs
this is  golden shovel write,
the poem in italics is one i sourced from
The Poetry Transalation Centre
http://www.poetrytranslation.org/
the original poem...

Empreintes
Si l'on pouvait écrire
just en apposantses
empreintes digitales
 sur la page  
cela éviterait  
 le mal que l'on se donne  
pour rechercher l'originalité  
  à n'importe quel prix

....written,
in french,
by poet
Abdellatif Laâbi
betterdays Apr 2017
her fingers feathering the dark  magnolia leaves
stroking the foilage like it were a housecat

his fingers wrapped around the taped raquet handle
in a firm yet dexterous grip, waiting to enter the fray

her fingers deep within the loamy soil
communing with the larger whole

his fingers  testing  the grain of the wood
looking for the sweet spot, the soul

her fingers  raised to lips, creating  a mask
thoughts to the rest of the day

his fingers  poised above the computer
awaiting the spark to flare

her fingers in the tresses of his hair
asking for more connection

his fingers playing across the rise of her breast
answering all her questions

her fingers, her hands hard upon his shoulder blades
seeking the length, the depth, of him

his fingers, his hands on her ****
fullfilling their need

their fingers intertwined
as they sleep....together
Napo wrimo.2017..... a couplet poem
betterdays Nov 2024
Night, blurred lines waver
Tired eyes read denouement
Now sweet sleep beckons.

This day different to the last
by the state of the weather
The length of the journey
The words both spoken and
left unshed.

This day constant in the heart
by the warmth of  the glances
The need of the touches and
The words unspoken, whispered
and openly stated

Now we are at days end
and night  throws it's cape wide
We settle the plotline and savour
the page...
Finis this chapter,
Tommorow a new page
betterdays Dec 2017
three days later
you can still smell
the acrid smoke
on the wind
see the blackened
leaves a twiglets on
the green summer lawn

three days later
and  the town still
murmurs about
how close the
fire front came

close enough for
the northshore houses
to see the voracious  flame
to hear the crackle of it's burn

luck would have it,
that it turned,
luck and firefifighters
tested and tired, turned
the flame by art of backburn
back in on itself and then down to
the sea, down past the dunes
and then to die, to end in ash

five days of bushfire, haze and smoke
now just ash and grey black sculptures
on black ground canvas...

awaiting renewal......awaiting, awaiting
Last week we had a fire start and burn across the river, burning through brush and grasslands.....because of the efforts of our volunteer and professional  firemen/women no houses were lost....the fire burned for about five days and over 11279 hectares of state forest was lost...
betterdays Nov 2019
the smoke haze is settling
now  the landscape wears ashes like
a widows mourning dress

no longer the rage, the flames, the fire
the passionate devourer has been siated

leaving destruction as it's  rememberance
Fires near our place over the last week...no human life or buildings destroyed....but loss of much wi.ldlife.....and the area is decimated and cover in ash.....Many thanks to volunteer firefighters.fòr mammoth effort to get fire under control.
betterdays Jul 2014
they come,
noisy and jostling,
to the first class.

their breath's
misting in,
the cold crisp air.
as they enter
and disrobe,
unwinding scarves,
removing jackets
and shoes.

to stand,
lithe, limber
and youthful before me.
ready to perform.

and i feel....
                  so...
                       ...old and tired.

as i watch them,
twist and turn,
their young bodies,
into shapes,
that are but,
a hazy memory,
for me....

and i will admit....
i am both,
downright jealous
and a little bit sad....
as the class continues.
must sign up for yoga and
pilates again...
betterdays Feb 2016
the curve of the beach
is outlined in a murky red today
the kelp has turned in the heat

on the sand the little *****
make little spheres and bubbles


where the damp meets dry
a sandcastle slowly loses form
as the wind takes it away
grain by grain


on the rocks three kids clamber
shouting and pointing poking sticks
into the pooled worlds

up on the grass, sit two old gents
and the clamour of seagulls that
are being fed skerricks of fat golden chips

i stand admist all this feet in the water
work pants rolled up, shirt tails out
breathing in the saltspray
looking to the horizon
as it begins to colour  the evening sky

at my feet swirl ribbons of red brown kelp


it has been an unseasonably hot summer
made a detour on the way home.....first day back to work.......
betterdays May 2014
first day back.....
and i am faltering,
creative flint is drenching wet.
no spark of inspiration here.
end up comparing myself,
to the ghosts in my head.
as i stumble through the steps of the well worn dance
feeling out of step....
hearing a totally dirrerent song......
take a breath... while the students prepare short pieces based on emotional key words....

mine at the present FEAR
there is fear in my heart...
that i have lost
the unameable thing
that makes
teaching a joy.....
and in that joy i
become a good.... no great
teacher.....
is it lost or buried??....
i go back and watch....
with growing delight
at the sorrow, joy, anger
and love
that parades before me in different guises.

at the end of the lesson,
a group of students
come and chat,
these are students
who are new to me.
amongst the chatter
these breadcrumbs thrown  unknowingly to my frail heart....to my sparrow id
freezing on the winter branch
"we really liked the class,"
"that thing at the end way cool".... and "glad we took this option"...
my little sparrow heart
flew down and gobbled them up...
and the flint began to dry..
i may be okay yet....
this is  mostly a free flow brainstream thing, ordering thought and emotion
in Jan i broke my leg (badly) at work and had been off or part time (office duties only)until today, when i went back to practical teaching ..... i do about eight to ten prac sessions a week
along with lectures and for the third years small group
tutorials.... it was so hard...self doubt almost had me by the throat... a class of first years i did not know and unfamilar with the way
i build a session...
a particularly hard start.
  ....but i think.... i will be ok....just need to stick with it...tommorrow a betterday
betterdays Oct 2017
springs first butterfly
shyly sits on teacup rim
showing her colours

my first encounter
bodes well for the days remainder
i smile, joy blossoms

then leaves to sample the peonies,
betterdays Sep 2014
the salt of the sea
calls to me...
it is time,

it is time,
for re-immersion
it is time,
to revitalize
your winter, wearied soul

come little being.....
be swaddled in my watery folds

be bold,
my little one....
tho the water, may be cold

my friend....
the sun shall
warm your skin
and in my depths
you know you will find,
joys untold.

i take my towel and heed,
the whispers of the waves.

for me....
my summer's soul
to brave, the tang  
and crisp, cool clarity,
to redeem my sanity.

i walk, run, and
dolphin dive past
the breakers,
into the depths
of watered reality.
but by ******...it is still
**** cold...so worth it tho
i have been cleansed...and arise renewed...allalujah...lol
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