Wednesday 31 August 2016

The road less traveled


Many years ago after a long road trip across Australia we thought we'd take a scenic route back through the Snowy mountains on our way home.

Winters are not that severe in Australia and the worst we had encountered were a few showers of rain visiting friends in the capital Canberra. When we left we made our way out through the hills through winding roads and forests by scenic lakes until we saw the sign "Snowy Mountains Highway"  which would take us quickly through to the Victorian state border.

We drove speedily on the highway for a few miles until we approached a sign blocking our path "Vehicles must have chains beyond this point"  the sky was overcast and snow was falling lightly but clearly it was heavier ahead. 

We had to turn around to find an alternative route and luckily there was one going miles out of our way on a narrow winding valley road with eucalyptus trees bent right overhead dripping with recent rain 

As we drove slowly along in drizzling weather wild animals shuffled about in the undergrowth and as we went deeper in the valley and rounded yet another hairpin a Lyrebird which we had never seen in the wild before appeared walking purposefully at the side of the road and weren't we glad we had taken the road less traveled.

Image found at www.backwardinsights.blogspot.com

How lucky I am


I was overrun 
Taken into slavery
Ba greater force

How cunning you were
All sweet smiles and enchantment
Crept under my guard

How blind I have been
Resistance winnowed away
I'm abashed with shame

I fell for your charms
Beguiled by sweetest kisses
Now shackled in love

You conquered my heart
I have come to adore you
How lucky I am

Image found at www.pinterest.com

Sunday 28 August 2016

Let's hope you find love


Who could wish for more
What better life can there be
Serene in the womb

So harsh the world's light
Cry cry now little infant
Your dreams are all gone

Mama will sing songs
As the sun smites you so bright
Grow old in its light

This silly old world
Cruel and scornful you'll find
Is senseless you'll see

It's fun while it lasts
Absolutely all for you
Let's hope you find love

Image found at www.kidshealth.org.nz


Saturday 27 August 2016

Our paths crossed that day

             

I took a wrong turn soon after I entered the forest. I could almost hear the birds twitter with laughter and an owl hooted with glee. The branches brushed against me as I struggled to find the signpost that I had left only minutes before. I tried to retrace my footsteps counting the minutes I had been there but all I found was a gurgling stream and you sitting there barefoot splashing in the water. You turned around with no surprise and sized me up and down then patted the ground by your side inviting me to do the same. What were you, a woodland sprite or a rambler just like me? Either way I was hypnotized and not counting the consequences of my actions I sat by your side. What a blessed day to find someone so beautiful whose laugh was like a tinkling stream, whose sweet voice beguiled me just like the breeze whispering in the trees and whose touch as soft as down, freeing me of all doubts that I should be part of her. Nor did I question that plate of sweet treats she shared saying "You'll never be free of me now my love".

                                              Our paths crossed that day
                                        You've made me so tall and strong
                                                    Just like a pine tree                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                  
Image 2 found at www.shutterstock.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

By hell or high water

                                    Perseus saving Andromeda from hell

With the prompt word "hell" and knowing that "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" I am making sure I write a piece for this weeks Scribblings.

I’ll write something
So by hell or high water                             
I can, I oughta

Come ring a bell
You’ve a snowball’s chance in hell
Pig’s chance, you’ll say

All hell will break loose
I’ll get the hell out of here
I am well aware

A cold day in hell
Now have I written enough
Bat out of hell ….poof!

Image found at www.fanpop.com

Friday 26 August 2016

Time travel


She is beautiful, her age is 29 and she has just lost her husband and now has their daughter (my paternal grandmother) to care for by herself. Looking at the picture I see that I have her nose and maybe her eyes and lips too (when I was younger). She died before I was born yet here (and at such a young age) she is faced with a bleak future for there is no widows pension, no family to support her or her 10 year old daughter. Her husband Frederick was an insurance agent when few people could afford to think of a future without a partner. I hope he did so but she still needed security so later married a man who managed a public house (or tavern) for a local brewery. Her daughter Maud married and their first child was my father and as a child he used to visit them then finally lived with his grandmother and his new step-grandfather and they helped to bring him up in the 1920's. I wish I had met her for I would loved to thank her for being part of me.

                                                        I see me in her
                                                 In overcoming sadness
                                                        Never giving up


Note that in her hand there is the traditional mourning card and that her clothes are typical of funeral wear of the period which she would have worn for some time.


Image of Sarah Ann Harvey (nee Hipwell) 1893

Thursday 25 August 2016

The cat at the window


The cat sat at the window sill looking out at the watching the birds at feeder eyes darting from one to the other.

“Do you want to go out?” she asked the cat who glared back in disgust that such a stupid question should be asked, then stared out the window again.

She went to the kitchen to give her some food and the cat turned her head and glaring at he watched her go.

“Kitty, kitty, come on its ready now” and the cat ran out to her but instead of eating her food stood yowling by the back door.

“Oh you want to go out first do you Kitty? she said opening the door as the cat dashed off in the garden scattering the birds at the feeder who then looked down squawking a warning from the trees.

She then began to tidy the house and found that her sewing basket had been tipped over and all the bits and bobs had been scattered over the floor, “Now who could have done that” she asked.

Image found at www.photos-public-domain.com

Wednesday 24 August 2016

I walked into town


I walked into town
Our shopping is now all done
Plenty in the fridge

I have stretched my legs
The garden bursts with colour
Tea and biscuit time

Our dog grins at us
Clearly suggesting a walk
To the park we go

You are by my side
I sneak one sweet tender kiss
We laugh together

How simple it is
Counting our blessings each day
Basking in your warmth

Image found at www.123rf.com

Saturday 20 August 2016

Was I dreaming?


Was I dreaming?
Hearing children's laughter
The lap of water on the shore
Seagulls hovering overhead

Or unwinding?
From Morpheus's cruel spell
Splash of anchor, rattle of chain
Now rushing, gushing through my mind

Clear blue skies
You leaning against me
We're both relaxed and contented
Now wrapped up in each others arms

Was it all real?
I fear it's but a dream 
Our love story is now over
For you've left me all by myself

Image fond at www.janbirdingblog.blogspot.com

She'd disappeared


He lifted his head
A noise was heard
So cringed as usual
Lest a boot be used
Now master was home

Dutifully he rose
A small wag of tail
Then he spun around
His duty performed
Imprinted on his brain

For he knew his job
Always bark and snarl
When he heard a noise
Keep out of the way
At all other times

He dreamed many things
Howling at the moon
Running in the mist
Being free of ticks
Living far from him

Licking friendly hands
Being trim and brushed
Being petted by
That lady who came
Who stroked his fur

Who'd gave him a chip
She'd disappeared
The man had fought her
It all stemmed from that
He'll shoot me next

Image found at www.littlethings.com




You are the one


In that one instant
I looked in your eyes
And breathed you in
I then realised
Yes, you are the one
For me

Then when I touched you
Oh how soft you were
That sweetest smile
Shone on you cute face
Yes, you are the one
For me

Image found at www.india-forums.com

Friday 19 August 2016

He woke with a start


He woke with a start
As Sue murmured in her sleep
He reached to touch her

But she wasn't there
He was all alone in bed
Lonely widower

She'd done this before
As she kept on coming back
To lie by his side

He could breathe her in
Feel the warmth of her presence
And hear her whispers

By morn she was gone
So should he find someone else
To stop her coming?

Some made eyes at him
He even dated one or two
It didn't feel right

Happier this way
He knew it was not the same
Without Sue in bed


Image found at www.womenshealthmag.com

Wednesday 17 August 2016

Chalk and cheese


They knew their place with us
The dog faithful servant
The cat a picky distant cousin
For whom nothing was quite good enough

So they ignored each other
The dog had pleading eager eyes
Cat scowled with disdain and disgust
For we were only her underlings

They were like chalk and cheese
Cat just stared, dog just wagged
Dog always eager for a walk
Cat thankful to be left all alone

They were both keen hunters
Dog found and killed slippers
Cat put mouse carcasses on mat
But winter put and end to all that

Both their eyes would light up 
As lounge room fire was lit
First dog then cat would get near
Supplanting the other there in front

Until the kids would call
"The cat's fur is singeing
There's an awful stink in here, Mum"
As the dog gave his usual happy grin

Image found at www.pinterest.com

This is a true story and with 6 verses I found would fit very nicely into Six Sentence Stories this week too with the prompt 'Fire'.

Sunday 14 August 2016

The younger sister


Tanning on the shoreline
Paddling a babbling brook
Lazing in the sunshine
Reading a children's book

Learning her Italian
Correcting misspelled words
Walking in the garden
Watching soaring birds

Crying at a bird's corpse
Found in the garden bed
We make a tiny casket
So she knows it is dead

That's my baby daughter
Who's growing up so fast
Pushing eight already
That leave's me so aghast

Clashing with her brothers
She has a dour expression
That's come in recent times
She's hewn them down again

Image found at www.aliexpress.com

Saturday 13 August 2016

In a muddy creek


We discovered it
In a muddy creek
Off the main river
A sad slimy ship
That once sailed the seas
Abandoned alone
We were delighted
Finding it stand in
That stretch of river
We waded over
Through shallow water
Just the four of us

I was first aboard
To take charge of it
“C’mon my hearties
We’ll sail afore noon”
The others climbed up
To travel abroad
To the seven seas
Young Jim was nervous
Didn’t want to stay              
“Bite the bullet, lad
To the brig you’ll go
If we can’t trust you”

The others nodded
“We’ve burnt our bridges
By hook or by crook
Were renegades now”
So then we cast off
And played at pirates
Until the sunset
Then hunger set in
We abandoned ship
And all raced off home
To eat fish and chips
With our Mum and Dad

Image found at www.dailymail.co.uk


Poet's purpose


"Next! How can I help you sir, just what is the purpose of your visit?"

"I have no idea, for I have just been directed to your counter."

“Name please so, I can see if you are expected.”

“Old Egg”

“Hmm! No, I don’t see your name down here. (Then whispering)  Perhaps you should try down below?”

“Please don't berate me for I’ve already been down there and they didn’t want me either. I just write poetry.”

He stared at me carefully then asked “You’ve not been involved in any of those conflicts on Earth at the moment and all those crazy politicians down there have you? We don’t brook any of them up here.”

“No of course not, But that question was a test wasn’t it? You used the word brook alluding to the poet Rupert Brook who died during the Great War way back in 1915, didn’t you?”

“OK, son you can come in Poets are always welcome.”

                           "Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
                              And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness, 
                               In hearts at peace,under an English heaven." 

                                               from The Solder, Rupert Brook 1887-1915


Image found at www.blog.lifeassuranceeministries.org

Friday 12 August 2016

The girl with green eyes


I knew she was the right one for me
For it was the look in her green eyes
And the way she flicked her long brown hair

I saw her at first across the street                        
And I so liked her sweet turned up nose           
As she clutched her handbag by her side          

She chatted with a girlfriend from work             
They laughed a lot then walked off alone                    
Tomorrow hoped I’d see her again                     

“Oh you are him” her friend said next day       
“We noticed you stare at us last night”              
As I walked up to chat with them both             

This other girl thought she was so cute       
Started grinning like a Cheshire cat                     
My girl with green eyes said not a word            
           
She nodded when I asked for a date                   
As we swapped numbers I touched her hand   
My heart soared to a magical place                     

Her eyes said it all, heaven was ours                 
I’m still with her today holding tight 
We both knew it was right from the start       

Image found at www.quotesgram.com    

Wednesday 10 August 2016

Duplicity


At the drink fountain
We devour one another
With hungry eyes

What message is there?
Keep away I know your type
Or I dare you to

She is fairly new
Careful and so observant
I like how she looks 

It took a fortnight
One day we were in the lift
She said "Perhaps"

So I just nodded
Said "I'll see you tomorrow"
She just grinned and laughed

We lunched out each day
Walked in the park linked fingers
Kissed in the arbour

I held her right hand
I knew she was married
Talked of other things

Surprised one Monday 
I found out that she had quit
Never said a word

I felt like crying
But then I burst out laughing
With a wife at home

Image found at www.videoblocks.com


Sunday 7 August 2016

On writing poetry


I am one of those
Who finds poems hard to compose
Sooner write in prose

So I cock my nose
And dance in my underclothes
Rules I will oppose

Image fouind at www.coub.com

Saturday 6 August 2016

I almost caught a firefly once


I almost caught a firefly once
A good many years ago
Long before age made its mark
I'll sit not walk, in the park today

My voice is weak I cannot shout
Sometimes it's but a whisper
Time you're a hard taskmaster
How I wish it were yesterday

The sea's foam washes on the shore
Seagulls still hover overhead
Kids laughing race round me now
But crabs still scuttle out my way

An hour seems like a minute now
Even years skip by me too
Magazines use smaller type
I can't make out what people say

Clouds scurry in the sky above
Once they merely drifted by
The sun still smiles, raindrops fall
At least I'm still alive, hurray!


Image found at www.smithsonianmag.com

Emotive boyfriend


Crunch on the driveway
As I open the five bar gate
Call on the girlfriend
Before it's too late

She knows I'm coming
Her dad's an irascible man
Instills fear in me
For that is her plan

It's a sin I know
But her kisses are so sweet
The thrill of the chase
Rare times can we meet

We play for an hour
Her breath smells of mint
Has voice that trills like a bird
Now off I must sprint

I flee just in time
To hide in the trees
As I see the dust from his ute
I pray on my knees

Shiver my timbers
That's taken its toll
Although she has been all worth it
She is such a doll

Image found at www.quotesgram.com

Ute - Australian slang for Utility or Pick up truck

Friday 5 August 2016

I laugh to myself


I laugh to myself
At the thought that tarot cards
Dictate my future

Like Alexander
I cut that Gordian knot
To make my own way

What is my fate?
Impotent devil is there
He's there in my past

What influence his
Greed, selfishness, no not that
Get back to the pit

Now Wheel of fortune
What have you in store for me?
Having come this far

You've favored me well
So why should I complain now
Others need your help

Ah here's the bright star
Telling an old man his future
My family's that

I have seen them thrive
So they walk forward not me
Peace be with you all

Image found at http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/learn/meanings/star.shtml

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Walking down the street


How I dreamed of her
I saw her every day
Walking down the street

Handbag and bangles
An occasional flick of hair
But no eyes for me 

Oh to kiss those lips
Or whisper sweet words to her
Just to breathe her in

So I must be bold
One day I’ll walk towards her
Perhaps ask her out

Hello I will say
Would you like to go dancing
Perhaps the theatre?

Perhaps just a walk
And go for quick coffee
Would you care for that?

The next day I did
Hello I said giving my name
By a shop window

So smiling she said
The song of a single word
“Yes”, as our eyes met

Exchanging our names
While slowly walking along
Our eyes were transfixed

After work we met
Then I held her soft warm hand
We were together

Image found at www.bowsandsequins.com