painting the net
with effrontery
crude, insolent
•••brazenness•••
and to what effect?

marionette making
puppets on a string
unshelled hermits
***** all riled up
quite entertaining--

so's the jerking knee
set your reflex free;
someone's therapy
should never, ever be
your online misery*




●○
°

We are one,
We are different
But we are one.
In deference, we
Respect individual
Variants of the same soul;
Though our chariots differ,
Draw arrows from selfsame quiver.
Though unique in flavour,
Draw at wells from Muse's core.

Which one am I? ...are you?
In essence should it really matter!?

toy soldier,
all for her
steadfast,

forever--

except for
one glaring
clerical error:

her tin heart
beats for another
toying; callous

sends him off

to slaughter; a
battler with no
shield or armour.



●○
•

All this who-ha about
Distance in relationships
But what of short-distance
Instead of long, or even
Point blank relationships!
Too much space, so-so-**-hum,
And claustrophobic, let me get
A breathe, tight of chest and
Body parts gone to sleep
Only you can suffer as
Ants crawl on pins and needles;
While all along your love
Looks on with a hurt and
Quizzical look!  So down it goes
You sink in a puddle of woes.
It really don't matter the distance
True love should always pull through.

unsleep now; keep still
unwakened dreams

a sun shall set
a moon will rise
a star falls, shooting
kissing dirt, no small
earthbound consolation

even in shadows, evening
dancers pave paths into dark
bear upon themselves, yearnings  

bare feet, tip-toe-ing into
slivers of this moonlit night

angels dare not wander off
deft fingers drift among
slumbering fragrant blooms

here, where fireflies
have up and flown
please, please, promise
not to rouse the dream*




●○
°

What I love about Canada
is her bold statement of stark,
pure white, interlaced with
lush green foliage and dark rock!
It's truly an impressive sight to behold!

As I sit and ponder the last hours of this year,
I realise that each of us present still possesses
The inner capacity to be leaf turners:
Whatever may come, whichever direction we choose,
We have been, all of us given, a new leaf to turn.
It may as well turn out more than a mere leaf of a calendar.

perhaps I hung
around him a
little more than

that made for
awkwardness

called it hero
worship - infantile
idolatry; or just

a deep-seated
longing for the
older brother

that I never had

tall, smiling
confident;
nobody's fool

rescued me when
I released the handbrake
car flew over the pool

his mum's front hedge
was never the same again



●○
•

pre-school reminiscent,
funny how peculiar memories could be...

this autumnal milieu
in which we reside,
each day at its setting;
flutter delicate wings,
softly caressed, along 
pathways to many a home.

Etched in my heart, patterned chiselling emotion

Under foot the mossy down through forgotten paths

jolted by breath, your air reminds me of that time

now you have gone away into the sun and shade

playing and wandering in another clime and place

among countless souls all tucked neatly away

behind numerous stone markers, row upon row

like counting bits of sand too numerous to hold

whose gravelly grains have scattered in my mind

reflecting serenely what once was yours and mine

Tendril-wafted dunes
of barren sands waffle,
swirl across mile
upon mile in every direction-
your face appears a horizon away,
there is little comfort found
in accompanying echoes.


Drifting sticks
wail in the pitched wind,
stretched on distant recollection-
stylus of the scribe named Regret;
each flurrying breeze
turns a new page,
taking with it freshly shed tears.


Foetid droppings
of some wastrel, desert vagabond
provide a vivid reminder
of how it can never be again,
to kick it away
would only contaminate
these well-worn wandering shoes.


Head facing forward
wherever the nose points
except in the back of the mind
where the oasis burbles-
each leafy frond conceals
intimate moments now buried
within the unmindful desert's belly.

What you might not see
your heart will know
it was never wasted --

your investment in
time or affection,
tears and concern

meals you've cooked
candles you've burned
advices, however stern

we have come this far
'coz when we needed it--
always, you were there;

for your love and constant prayers
and that strong will: "never say never"--
we are ever thankful, forever and ever*


●○
°

roil toil bubble and boil
let news, your appetite spoil*



Ever get those feelings

as you sit at 6 p.m.

watching the newscast

horrified & helpless?




One day you wil;l as well

put into glaring words

what in your heart, you see:

things that should not be




____✒
○●

my eye 
is caught by a photograph 

my ear 
records a voiceless cry 

whispering brilliant streaks 
tiny hairs all quivering on 
my skin 

raindrops pelting 
crystal teeth glaring 
tearing away 

my tongue 
forms a quiet reply 

my nose 
wiggling at a brooding sky*




____✒
○●
°

At times we are ourselves
played as a veritable jester,
when we are on public display;
an emperor of the newest clothes--
so new, the people see right through.
While there's a chance
before the day is through,
enjoy your little dance
and remember your glassy shoe.

atypical,
in conclusive
      after conviction
once enough--
all-sufficiency
independent of
popular priorities

is to Be or Not
perhaps apart  
from partying
to debaucheries

atypical
               this love
begottenness from above
alights anew, like a dove
heaven-sourced repatriation
     vile, in estimation
clouded vision, rejected
by inutile estimation

until a singular day
glistens in the sky

put on your headphones and  listen

from the ground
the ceiling looks so much wider
from the ground
its cracks seem much finer

the paint peels -
minute flags, off-white surrender;
the paint peals -
egg shells of heavy footed plunder...

revelation fall free
on this soul that has been bound
revelation fall free,
release this pretender from the ground

in spite of what surrounds us
whatever circumstances are
we are learning to find peace
within ourselves
regardless of what's

going on around us,
learning to self-soothe
kind of thing and find
we all are coming through
to the other side, strong

persons we've missed;
our friendships through
a new season approaching
and a sense begins to form
that peace rising up from

inside the very core of you!
and it's a happy moment
this first day of autumn
here, although summer
is quite happily overstaying

so colours are changing
and the breeze is blowing
face the horizon, your hair
a banner waving, highlights
in sun beams, catch and shine

'


revolutions of the second hand 
are innumerable to the watchful eye, 
which has not comforted this bruising *

...shame 

nor can heart's run far enough away 
from pulsing, cancerous gangrene; 
and off to the darkest mile it treads* 

...softly *

in the cooling of a fading day, 
a gentle crushing blow fixes completely 
the drowning, despondent smiles 

...of yesterday 

as wafting wavelets wail forlornly, 
while whispering affections now silent; 
hearkening back to more innocent times 

...found wanting *



____✒
○●
°

Further on, always together;
no moss shall we gather.
Our voices echo in the distant sky;
high above, our words shall fly.

'

Sit down with me awhile, my Love 
Let's leave the world behind; 
This hour belongs to us alone: 
Our moment etched in time. 

Lean upon my shoulder, Sweet 
And press your cheek to mine. 
Let's set our eyes to spy upon 
Our promised ever-after, find. 

Rest your arm upon my knee 
And hold that smile again. 
Another spot is next in line 
On our wedding photography.




_ __ ✒
○●
°

remember those days when you
had to shout it from the rooftops,
or use spray paint, or car in river;
hard to, when now we type it up
on the walls of our social media
each one, vying in digital swirl
each thought, each feeling, sent
out to dry in a momentary heat,
then move on, unfulfilled, to the
next tab, the next flickering page

do not fix our gaze upon the east
where labour's whispers won't have ceased
now creaking joints approach a feast
lights are dimming and brows are creased

on glistering thresholds, above a stream
of well wishers spying a secret dream
those sun-kissed fields rejoice and beam
restores a sparkle of long lost gleam

while dust in dust the earth forget
engrave on silver-winged regret



●○
•

'

The well has not gone dry, 
less frequented maybe 
by both the drawers and 
the occasional passers by. 

The stones are loose; 
between them, mortar dissolves- 
by clement or contrary 
weather on seasonal cue. 

The vessel is parched 
and longs for its lover 
by pulley once lowered 
its rope frayed with disuse.





____✒
○●
°

believing in something
is so much more than
choosing to not disbelieve

it means doubts, however
tiny, disappear into this
grand belly of trusting eyes

it fills you with the good stuff
when it's pouring outside
and your stuck indoors

eventually, the sun comes
back again; that, in spite of all
contrary and expert forecasts*



●○
°

°

I have fallen madly 
irretrievably & unashamedly 
in love with you: 

Just as that swathe 
of hair that won't stay in place 
by gel or product or spit; 

You have fallen blandly, 
irrevocably & unscathedly 
out of love with me: 

Just as that scab
off, skin-on-the-mend that's pink 
by band aid & ointment fix'd.




_ __ ✒
○●
°

on a rock, reptilian sunbather
lays in wait,  sharpening claws

buried under volumes of texts,
a voice drowned in rising gale;

unless they come looking --
you are unlikely to be found*




_ _ __✒
●○
°

Secrets are secret
Truth cannot expound
Everything is vanity
No comfort to be found

Truth is relative
or so it is, they say
Life for us is short
no time to dry the hay

What Truth will illumine
Lies would then conceal
with ebony tusks uncover
wounds that would not heal

'

Come not into my soul,
You are not whom I love!
For even out of that
My heart will surely perish.

When my soul is bursting
As a fiery bolt ablaze,
My heart in fevered embrace!
Through my furious bleeding;
Come not near unto my soul,
You are not whom I love!

Do not you touch my soul,
You are not whom I love!
Worn is the the heart with want
Where my bursting bruised it.
Breathe-in not that blue fire,

Do not lean you upon my soul;
You are not whom i love -
Who now with my languor rests,
Lest from out of my bleeding
My fevered heart perish.





____✒
●○

Once prismatic brilliance;
brilliant only through borrowed light.

Alone again in darkness, gleaming; glum, instant companion of night -

blind to grief and deaf to joy,
save by song on lone-ward height.

Ever calling, feline caterwauling;
In distant horizon, burning bright.

That sparkle in the eye is rekindled; Fully renewed, at dawn made right.

Home. 
Taken ill. 
Staring down yet another 
Unwelcome pill. 
Once it was said 
A canine's a bloke's 
Best mate... 

Home. 
On the sick bed 
Ignoring a mountain 
Of unpaid bills 
Got my trusty 
Mobile & tablet--
The world entire 

Home;
At my fingertips -
Nothing like a touch screen 
To scratch on that 
Cerebral itch: 
Friend or foe, 
I am 4G's *****.*





_ _ __ ✏
○●
°

'

stately tall, you meekly stand 
on your finger the signet band 
for my sake you shunned your crown 
for my breath your devotion fierce 

you gave for me your sword and squire 
your hospitality did never tire 
proud brothers in battle or play 
companionly we went about each day 

in your shadow I had no care 
my home's cupboards were never bare 
song and merriment never missed 
hunger a stranger to my lips 

your place at court set second to mine 
your heart pure - best fruit of the vine 
your eyes reflect esteem so dear 
no man's affection held so near 

O gallant Prince, in battle slain 
my soul cries out for you in pain 
why you've set Saul's crown on my head - 
a long-held secret I shan't covet 

My lord, could one ever repay; 
the debt of friendship's love dismay? 
to live this life as noble and true 
to generously care and give as you 

Prince of the Realm, if you could hear 
the Scroll of the Upright, loud and clear 
in the Song of the Bow proclaimed 
praise of our filial bond inscribed. 




_ __ ✒
○●
°

forgiveness- unnecessary option
save it for the birds and bees
get off your calloused knees
spare us each slimy fabrication
neither brew concocted apologies
your prophecies of eternal peace
have no hope or home among these*




●○
°

as the hourglass
shatters
a-
- - - long the endless
shore,

our world spills
unto the infinite cosmos:
it, being but a speck
in greater timeglass-
bounded parameters,

and so on and so forth.

Perhaps
the ride we could've missed
is on its own
a ride within another:
twists its twirling in the mind. 


__✒

There are shadows all over
Shining darkly in reverse;
Pointy ears of impish horns,
Whose stalks ravaged worn;
Chant rondeaus of curses
On a sea of four-leaf clover.

violent inactivity
propagates haemorrhaging
of intimate volition
where in this vast
savannah wilder-nests
quietly spawn and

nurse elusive bunyips

perhaps their scatted
clues shall direct us
back to serenity or
perhaps volatility
shall remain until
tomorrow meets today

Blue skies over horizon, today
child arrives, jumps about
looking pretty and tall
the only sure part-- that dust
flying; near silence
where fireflies . . . . wait

now, yellow dust fades
into green beginnings
then fireflies once more




___✒

so much emerges at daybreak
much more than my locale

or even in star-shine of night
mere specks, unpolished coal;

a darkness in shadow's light
vainly seeking revealed perfection*




️ _ _ __ ✒
○●
°

there's a place for everything,
it's been said with stillest voice;
and everything has a place,
resonant clarity without rebuttal

yet who's to know which is which
when reckoning has flicked the switch?
where face value's swiftly defaced
conveniently with removing cream*



●○
°

' 


*Provide us just scales 
with which to measure 
determine the truth 
provide no displeasure 

be objective and distant 
make sure you're blindfolded 
mete out the verdict 
swift and without fail. 

But for the value of life 
remember your own 
Each breath you take 
opportunities blown 

Justice is never served 
for the dead remain dead 
their chances forfeited 
memories defaulted 

punitive arrangements 
may placate the bereaved 
but the dead remain deceased. *





_ _ __ ✒
●○
°

popcorn is flowing
buttery bright;
write sabres sparking,
left and right. 

Many have fallen,
many have fled.
Some remain faithful

like voices in my head. 
A few now frozen
in Merlin's stead.

Perhaps tomorrow
we'll walk in the light; 
behind us a memory
of a dream of night.*




●○
•

In a dream of night before me rose 
I walked along an endless shore; 
moist sand glowed a silvery pink, 
danced to lights in the waning sun; 
its length moving, curved around 
dotted stars in the form of a heart. 

I peered ahead and looked behind, 
shifted my gaze from side to side; 
waiting to catch a glimpse of you 
and fall within your gaze as you 
engaged my eyes in an embrace, 
but only feel the sighing wind. 

The soft sand crunched under me; 
a powdery kiss upon my soles. 
Still I searched, marching onward, 
past the crest into a dimpled vale, 
and realised that I was inside you, 
clear waters surrounded your days. 

I then began to shut my eyes to see 
and focus upon the things we share; 
pulling together joined memories, 
realising you had taken me there 
into the core of your daily chores-- 
carrying me through your world

forever in their shadows
only if you stay still
it takes but a sidestep 

in blinding light
find yourself bright
stage lights beam

in all angles vary
step out of darkness
into your own light 

in life's Olympiad
keep steady your pace
run your very own race

in life's grand opera
you are a soloist-
there are no second voices

in life's orchestra-
you are a symphony
there are no second fiddles

in life's parade
a winding cavalcade
there are many drums

'

Arise, and walk along these streets, 
breathe and partake of these dregs 
of the mighty industrial age; 
paint effulgent colours of its appeal - 

toxic fumes that light our path 
to days only just imagined. 


Parted lips bare wisdom, 
shatter silence that shackles; 
within parched throat, sealed 
sounds peal from indolent belfry - 

tender whispers caress 
each unknown orphaned heart. 


Lift high bright banners brave; 
let the bitter winds bite 
lash fierce its tattered frame, 
light gapes through its holes- 

release the soul's query: 
How can one forgive what is forgotten? 


Illumine that dim horizon; 
extricate each sole from bog and mire. 
Grab the morning call, 
Borrow its voice if you must - 

Stir up the spirit from slumber; 
the darkness of night will not prevail.




_ _ ✒
○●
°

hard as we try to remember
grinding up mindless banter

green grass, yellow slander

what good is hay to a dead horse,
or a spring dried at its source?*




_ _ __✒
●○
°

people these days
are our solitary
point of reference

unless we're old enough
to recall 'back in the day'
to compare smoke signals

with cellphone signals; well
most of us can't even
speak or 'read' Morse.*



_ _ __✒
●○
•