Time arrives at the station
and hops off that train;
through clearing misty tendrils
one can but notice
its bright travelling cape.
( Who wears these anymore? )
Those caught in Time's gaze
are wrapped in a moment supreme,
where eternal lapses into present,
brilliantly, ever out of sequence; 
whose master conjures curiosities,
making this drudgery worthwhile.

bursting forth on any
given typical day, we
delve into mysteries
of bath bomb bubbles;
while here in a corner,
ever-vigilant keeper
of ember-like ghostlight,
sentinel of our night,
scribe of thought and
companion of heart:
connects green room
to footlit centre stage

my finger traces 
a still barely 
visible band 
on my fourth finger 


our ex-anniversary 
is now my memory 

a constant companion 
to might-have-beens 

yesterday had so much 
prospect and promise 
today I face a sink 
filled with ***** dishes

stepping onto the doormat
knuckles rapping on wood
heart pounding mind racing

perhaps its like those
after school tv reruns
or those movie remakes

imagine live streaming
and podcasting in
very slow motion

loosing you and having
to remember back then
are unreachable ghosts*




●○
°

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 gut.






___✒

unapologetical apologetics:
what is denounced vocally and
many rave as condemnatory
is actually deep conviction being

militantly denied from an
internal admission of culpability
--external bluster of one in grave
delusionally grand denial*




●○
•

to firmly believe there is
always opportunity for
a horse-carriage ride
through Central Park
despite chaotic impediment
amid the throng and buzz;
that is where living begins

snares and high hats
toms and bass boom
percussive solo now
bursting through as
these shoes carry a
wracked form ever
closer to your door
petals unhinge and
freefall, knuckles
pale knock knocking
deafening drumbeats
roar, tsunami  r o a r
drmsticks hit th'floor

~ from hundred and one sibilant regrets at Le Mont Parnasse

Pity this block of timber -
though statuesque; mourns -

whose lines and curves are stately,
whose manner refined symmetry:

its shavings receive a swift send off;
kindling, on this frigid winter morn...

Farewell, days of summer
Your sweat stains remain;
And the fading tan lines
Blend into a chalky frame.
Let's point to autumn leaves
To hide the pale underneath
Folds of warmer sleeves.
Maybe our winter hibernation
Shall blossom into sparkly spring.

sitting 'round a ***** living room
getting acquainted with once and
future strangers, pretending life
will thrive from the loam of potted
imaginings of who we hope them
to be, both inside and out; much
like fruit smells and feels when
they are ripe for the picking - oft
served thereafter on a table wide
with anticipation and mirth, down
to the last napkin ring & teaspoon

when they can't tell
you from a soap bar
yet expect you to be
their defining relationship
that's when you know
you're in a messy affair

imagine your surprise
as you irrevocably realise
everything can be bought
and everyone has a price

what exquisite shock ensues
when you take off $ signs
unveil powers of exchange
and begin to live accordingly*




●○
•

from scared to scarred
stepping out into light
crossing over to over
there without looking
back again to second
thoughts is freeing of
both thought and that
paralysing fear from
some deep down spot
bruised again & again
it's a fair exchange to
be wounded, wound
up, trading on briskly
before markets crash-
nothing's ever fair or
much less given free

Tame the boy who walks by desert flame
Fight for causes and justice reclaim
Sleep soundly to dancing candlelight
Kind dreams moat your castle by night
While sunshine unveils a hope enshrined 
That weaves together, your hearts entwined.

courtliness promenades
intimate exchanges
crystal refractions

burst in a myriad
of coloured light
music to one's toes

jazzy fingers and
ballet chin, poised:
poetical interludes*





●○
°

bromeliad smiles
upturned to open sky
eucalyptus parasols
hover above ruddy soil
hydrangea waltzes
welcome lorikeet
ladies and gents, while
currawong sentinels
flit from branch to branch

a few loose jingling coins
a mind that is confused
a wind contrarily blowing

a set of clothes for spoiling
a clock that's fast or slow
a friend that comes and goes

a lover that's hot and cold
a pace slowed right down 
a transposition to minor chord

a gear shift up an incline
a better or a worse scenario, but
change stubbornly won't change*



●○
°

where bilious pigeons roost
coo and cackle with abandon
whose obstinate droppings steam
its stench envigorates lagging soul
here and ever after, songs remember*



●○
°

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.

it's hard to hear yourself thinking
when hate on hate is all around

there's a cry for freedom ringing,
its price, to keep another bound

our goals require such liberties
which defy our mental capacities

we hope it's worth all the drama,
our vengeful acts stripped of karma*



_ _ __✒
●○
°

Into a new dark age we go,
Marching with voices loud and clear,
The terrain shifts, our minds untrained,
Pioneers of a vast unexplored,
Where challenges hide in the unseen,
And bright lights beckon, waiting for us.

The condition of our hearts has changed,
As we careen through shadows and light,
Year upon year, we seek to define
The darknesses that loom on our horizon,
Searching for meaning in the dark expanse,
To harness what we’ve yet to understand.

Yet, in this vastness, a spark ignites,
A whetted appetite for tomorrows,
We march into the unknown, drawn near
To whispers of hope, where the brave may tread.
Into itself, beyond vast darkness,
The lights beckon, urging us to explore.

Don't follow a blinded choice,
let us not sup on spammed poison.
it's time to finally rejoice;
A day to understand passion:
Your season to rise above oppression.

Learn from past admirations,
always keep your chin above.
With head full of contemplations;
let it soar satin skies, unshackled dove,
that follows home's scent of love.


When love's fragrance is your bearing
The course will be without hurdle
self confidence proves your landing
Giving answers to life's riddle
With peace you can unshackle your saddle.

Brown in the sun
of the midday born
Silken strands
of crested corn

sparks light the sky
brilliant welder's flash
jewel in disguise
jouster's winning prize.

Jack was nimble
he was quick
but he's not taking
that candlestick.

All the queen's horses
and all the queen's men
run their own courses
then run them again.

scowling at a threatening storm cloud 
sombre as a brooding sky
your errant thoughts stumble
sore, leaving tear ducts, dry:

exhuming an abundant cascade
of strained expressions that ill-
reflect a stained and bedraggled soul
whose fond recollections oft fail to connect.*


●○
•

there is always
that one photo
that floats around the house,

that when you pick it up,  
picks up with it
a storm of memories

and jumbled feelings.

Still it floats
in random spaces,
lying in wait,

like a lioness
ready to pounce,
awaiting its prey*





___✒
●○
Cross reference: same poem (or at least same feeling; different words and different time-place)

I still can't look at your photograph
without choking up or getting ill
could I ever seriously consider
giving up my affections for you
why have you gone, so abruptly ahead?

Gazing upon your visage, on print
all knotted up and confused still
my emotions, rambling wild river
gaining us words no longer true
why am I left here with heart unfed?





___✒
○●

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?*




_ _ __✒
●○
°

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*




____✒
○●
°

we can't be giving in
too much, too soon
but can we complain?

we've nothing left in
between to hold onto
that last mistletoe is

withered and fallen;
what remains here
won't buy us yesterday

in my sleep
I write myself poems
buried deep
secret of ancient tomes
therein my heart roams
thereat my soul did leap

'

We are a family of nations 
built on legend and lore 
the sun never sets on us 
our bounds, on far-off shores 

Our heritage ancient and rich 
nestled in values just and pure 
from Arthur's chivalrous table round 
to all the lands of earth secure 

This War was great and at much cost 
it changed our world and how we live 
we fought for freedom, side by side 
for future gains, our lives did give 

Our sacrifice transformed us all 
and forged a new identity 
Empire, no longer subservience 
but for brotherhood and equality






____✒
○●
°

There are shadows all over
shining darkly in reverse;
pointy ears of impish horns,
whose stalks ravaged-worn;
chant rondeaus of dank curses
o
.n   .
  
  
        a sea of four-leaf clover.

Here, hear,
to the part of you
that no longer feels
that secret place
where a rainbow peels
each colour fading out
then glowing in
a time and place
where time stands still
See'r, sear,
her bright and varied flecks
imagination
is the eye of your soul!

courtliness promenades
intimate exchanges
crystal refractions

burst in a myriad
of coloured light
music to one's toes

jazzy fingers and
ballet chin, poised:
poetical interludes*




●○
°

Try and try until you die
Lie and lie, you'll one day, fry.
No truth of a lie, it's a lying truth
Each deception our conscience sooth
Each untruth told leaves momma cold
It towers tall before that great big fall
To be true to self is to be true to all
Look in the mirror, what do you see
A pure image of self, struggling to be free.

Lonely, high-heeled march
Leaving behind an echo-chain
Each one, baring your name

a solitary avian
fork tailed violet
happened upon
a sylphid sprite
the one gave song

the other gave a
sentinel's vow
back to back
through eons
secrets keep

We are wise not to meddle
with the words of yon Muse
allowing them to touch us
avowed by torchlit trysts 
each thought cradled in nettle
elegaic vine rows muse
such fearsome elegance behold!

there's nothing quite
as deafening as quiet
static screams & rage
of a wall flower freshly
plucked from a corner:
petals strewn on a
windy corridor that
leads to preset ruin;
here, even perfume
is stripped of fragrance

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!

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