Christmas at the inlaws, posed great challenges because
Was a chance at first impressions I could make
The family quite a bunch, secret Santa, formal lunch
All would test, but there was something more at stake

Further to their traditions, the Australian institution
Back yard cricket, the game in which I must partake
Both nervous and excited, see I love it unrequited
For impressions twas the icing on the cake

I considered myself skilled, both flamboyant and strong willed
And the game very seriously I would take
The brother and the dad, the biggest threats I saw I had
To dominate for the glory I would slake

With lunch dusted and done, we went out into the sun
Inspect the pitch, had it a fresh mow and a rake
A ***** to orchard side, sticks as wickets, bail astride
Chose to bowl, the game was on make no mistake

Much to my surprise, dad was good, I did surmise
I bowled well, but his batting didn't break
He retired steeled, and I went out into the field
For his respect, and his daughter's, I'd not flake

When my turn came to bat, the brother bowled one flat
Out at my toes, applying heat, see if I'd quake
But I settled into play, and hit them all around the way
Was time to showcase and leave them in my wake

I retired not out too, and dad to bat again was due
Keen to bowl at him despite the muscle ache
At the last I took his stump, and the crowd well they did jump
Saw my determination was one that wouldn't shake

The game renewed my bond, for his daughter and beyond
To join this man, and his family was the sake
Mum called time for tea, and we left the field with glee
We were one now, and it was time for cake.

Days and nights at home alone
Swiping left and right
Tiny movements seeking love
A quest for someone right

Profiles pass before their eyes
One stands from the batch
Buzz and flash goes the phone
Tinder, it’s a match!

A chat ensues so they court
To find rapport is great
Best to strike whilst irons hot
And so arrange a date

To meet and greet by the sea
For coffee and a stroll
First impressions made are good
Seems they’re on a roll

Finding common ground they laugh
And think themselves hilarious
Keen for more, dates arranged
This one could be serious

And then it starts to blossom
The months ahead are booked
These two people fall in love
Now for life they’re hooked

What a wondrous thing this app
Without it meet they’d never
Parallel lives yet hadn’t crossed
It brought these souls together

There’s no need to go to bars
Or parade upon a stage
Stay at home with phone and swipe
It’s dating modern age

It served them well this app of love
Used wisely there’s no folly
Happily into sunset they ride
That’s how Brian met Holly

I’m here to capture birds!
Exclaimed the hiker in the back
We’d made the call to pick him up
Along our dusty track

He spoke at quite a volume
And his statement had me fear
Just what kind of character
Was riding with us here

And it was with due concern
We were alone it did occur
As upon our exploration
Of the great outback it were

What does he do with birds?
I thought to myself and friend
By her glance I saw that she’d
Considered the same end

Perhaps he’s meaning humans
When he speaks to us of birds
Playing time to make a strike
Misleading with his words

We best get to the bottom
I don’t like the sound of this
And who the hell captures birds?
There is something here amiss

Tell us more dear hiker
For we don’t understand
Do you mean your taking photos
Of birds in this great land?

Again he answers loudly
Cameras are no match
Birds don’t sit still, so with his eyes
He considers it a catch

Things become much clearer
And I feel somewhat a fool
He’s just an honest birdwatcher
Doing it old school

And he’s from a foreign country
Dutch I hazard the guess
Are you from the Netherlands?
He replies a booming yes!

The man has quite the passion
He’s travelled very far
Just for our birds, first by plane
And lately in our car

But we are in the outback
What on earth brought you here?
Twas by the train with a few stops
For rare birds that I could peer

This hiker most impressive
Tell us more of what you’ve seen
Speak of rare birds you’ve captured
And places that you’ve been

I have been to Epping!
Loud and proud he is again
I stayed with a friend
And caught your fairy wren

I have been to Capertee
And nothing could be sweeter
Than spotting a rare endangered
Regent Honeyeater

I’ve been to Lake Menindee
Full it’s quite the site to see
But pretty rainbow bee eaters
Are what appealed to me

Outside of Broken Hill we were
When our paths converged
We to spot rare flowers
Him to capture birds

We reached his sanctuary
And dropped him at the gate
Sorry that we couldn’t join
The day was getting late

We made for sculptured sunset
He waved grateful, on his own
As we drove off, we wondered
How the hell would he get home?

In the beginning people called you a brick. But you weren’t perturbed

You stripped off weight, revealed svelte contours. Emerged fit.

You added bling. Bells and whistles unimaginable

Not shallow though. Shrewd and calculated

You made yourself valuable. Desirable

Everyone wanted a piece of you. I wanted you.

I got you.

In turn you gifted me everything I wished for. Everything I’d need

You brought me knowledge, broadened my horizons. Exposed me to the world

Sometimes enlightening, sometimes shocking

There was nothing you wouldn’t reveal

You organised my life, gave me direction. Connected me

Provided for my base needs. Oh the sweet ***** ***

But you were aloof

For all that you offered, you were indifferent to the price

For the good there was bad. For freedom, I gave you control

The world cost me community. Truths cost innocence

Exposing, I was vulnerable. Revelations rent me disturbed

As my go-between none could see me but through you

You took my connections and reset them. Manipulated my self-esteem

Self-esteem I relied upon

With you as my medium, misunderstandings became commonplace

Relationships once solid showed cracks

With disconnect you scrutinised these divides, and made them gulfs

Analyses became autopsies, on associations seemingly dead

So be it. I’ve seen enough. I’m too far down this path

I wouldn’t know how to change it. How would I even attempt to?

But I knew once

Maybe the problem is you. Your heavy on me once more, like that brick

I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, but there are some things you can’t

I must wrest back from you my connections with community

The bond with those important to me

You can have the world. It’s fame, flattery, insults and disgrace

I just want you to make a call

I gotta phone a friend

At first I didn’t understand you, in time I came to accept and embrace you.
Oh the times we shared. You impressed and amazed me.
I wanted to capture your substance, your flavour, your artistry.
You helped me express myself, my habits, personality, preferences. Even weaknesses.
You sated me.
Physically and extravagantly. I devoured you.
And yet I desired more. To have you alone was not enough. I became boastful.
I tarnished our experience by gloating unreasonably. Our moments reduced. Familiarity gone. My appetite had consumed our love.
Alas we were nauseated.
The affair had run it’s course. It wasn’t you who changed. It was me.
It was gluttony.
I will heed the lessons I’ve learnt. Content myself with intimacy. Not braggadocio.
And I’ll fulfil myself again. It’s my desire. I may even over indulge. For I am weak to the pleasures.
But it cant be with you. It will be exclusive.
I WILL be exclusive!
Each meal I’ll sit and reflect on the times we had, but know our shared moments are gone.
Goodbye food photography. You will be posted no more.