An Age Old Question......

When heart and soul

Time and spirit

Are possessions you cherish

When together

You journey

To places unknown

That are strangely familiar

When because

Is a reason

All of it's own

When wants

become needs

As sparks of desire

Fuel each new flame

When it is everything

All at once

Needing nothing more

When rhyme and reason

Have no sense at all

Though it just

feels so right, perfect and true

When there are

No conditions

And it is simply enough

When you are high

on life

And intoxicated

by each other

When these pieces all fit

That's when you know

That you are really in love.

A million souls

That touch one's heart

Now cast adrift

Through space and time

Setting their sails

For horizons new

With pastures green

And skies of blue

Eyes straight ahead

No looking back

Then much too late

We realise,

And splash through seas

But head goes under

In the race to catch

Come up for air

And one

Last glance

Before resignation

At missed chance

And stomach sinks

As reality bites

But somehow brings

A certain peace

I am....

I am

full of dread

each and every

single day

scared

of the world

frightened of me

I am

drowned

in thoughts

that twist

and turn

down obscure

paths

I am

helpless

and feeble

though it's

defended well

by cloaks

and daggers

I am

unsure

of where

or if

I belong

so peering

through bars

is where I stay

I am

always

thinking the worst,

things taken

personally

full of guilt

as I know I shouldn't

I am

exhausted

from giving my best

giving all

that I have

till there's

no more left

I am

just me

nothing more,

nothing less

most days

it's just painful

knowing there's nothing else.

Time has come

Some thing must give

Dependancy

Has become a curse

Permission to care

Like never before

Overwhelmed by emotion

Locked for so long

Now released

Becomes an addiction

A junkie desperate

For her fix

But one hit

No longer enough

After tiny taste

Of this drug

No pill to pop

No weed to smoke

Just love

And dreams

And care

And hope

No clinic for

Recovery

No detox

Or diet

To fight it with

Left alone

In withdrawl

The sweats

The nightmares

Are all the same

The helpless feeling

It went so wrong

And even though

It was grasped so tight

Cherished

Adored

Like none before

But now that

Guard has gone

Gates thrown open

For all to enter

To trample

To hide

taking pieces with them

Leaving holes behind

Shut the gates

Deflect the spell

Break the habit

It's all or nothing

Or else it just hurts

Casting stones

Into dark water

Endless ripples

Cross smooth surfaces

Calm regained

Though uncertainty

Continues in

Depths below

Tentative footing

Over mossy rocks

Slippery surfaces

Prone to stumbles

Precarious steps

Searching for

The right way

Breathing deep

Intense air

Of misty forests

With unseen tracks

Where future lies

Chameleon like

Hidden well

Waves of Emotion

Ripples that grow

On passing tide

Bursting against

Each other

Tidal waves

Of feelings

That build

With unknown force

Rising high

About to break

After one last

Tremendous swell

White crest

Giving the game away

In held breath

For just a moment

A chance it will

Ebb and calm

Then with

Almighty crash

It all

Pounds against

The shore

Stumbling

Why is it hard

To spend each day

As we know

It should be lived

To chase desires

Instead of just

Passing

In self induced haze?

Is it because

We don't believe

We have

Earned the right to live

And so we choose

To stumble

Down misty streets

Not seeing

What lies ahead?

When

When Autumn leaves fall to the ground

And creatures gather up their Winter hoards

Though distant sun hangs low

And parents kiss their kids goodnight

If harsh rain pours from grey skies

And streets fill with black umbrellas

Should storms rage across the world

And homes suddenly turn dark

Be sure of just one thing

As time passes

Each day, each month, each season

I shall be forever

Standing beside you

She

She screams

At the top of her lungs

Begging the world

To hear

Her voice trembles

As she forms the words

Of all she needs

To say

The sky

Is filled with

A million thoughts

Each one

Escaped into the night

Her head

Not ready to admit

That she desires

More of the world

She tries

To capture back her dreams

Floating gently

On the clouds

Eyes well

With tears not cried

As old pains

Still cut deep

She hears

The echoing

Of a ticking clock

Reminding her

That time flies past

Deep down

She knows

There's just one chance

To reclaim the life

She lost

Six Candles

When the blues

Cloud your world

I will paint bright rainbows

Across your sky.

If the path

Appears rough

I will pave new roads

For you to walk

Should the weight

Become too heavy

I will take the burden

To ease your load

When cold wins

Chill the bones

I will blanket your cares

And warm your soul.

If tiredness

Creeps over

I will tuck you in bed

Allowing you to rest.

Should darkness

Shroud your day

I will light six candles,

Guiding you back home.

Broken Down

Going through the motions

Clearing out debris

Grabbing at fragments

Of shattered mementos

Desperately trying

To make the parts fit

Wanting to glue back

Pieces of your own being

Knowing without doubt

They have gone forever

Never to return

To the way it once was

Not ready to let go

But will not survive

In ramshackled surrounds

No comfort

Or safety

Here anymore

Only a mushroom cloud

Of emotions

Looming large

Overhead.

.

When your silence

Is deafening

And you are missed

My mind tells tales

Of shared adventures

Future and past

Played out

Between the lines

Of conversation

Hand in Hand

Take my hand

and walk with me

Down cobbled lanes

and darkened alleys

Through unknown streets

In the City of Life

No map

No compass

Just trust to guide us

Dead ends to frustrate

Bright lights distract

Potholes to stumble, trip and fall

Hand in hand

We shall stay on track

Till we reach a place

And we just know...

Love

Love is a word

That fills your heart

Or empties your soul

With love

You are mighty

Brave, adventurous

But

Without love

It all caves

Into nothing

Love is a word

That can mean

The world

But

Can also contain

No feeling

Love

Given or recieved

Brings you the confidence

To be

You

Gone

One hope

Day dreams

Nothing but

Maybes

Latest plans

Fresh thoughts

All just

One days

Simple wish

Constant yearn

Never was

Meant to be

Renewed focus

Sudden urge

All pass

At hand of fate

.....

Frantic search

No end in sight

Years long gone

Dreams left behind

Carbon copies

With every day

Cold wind blows

And life now fades

You Are

You are

The brightest light

Shining

You are

The gentlest hand

Guiding

You are

A coat of arms

Protecting

You are

A vocal crowd

Encouraging

You are

Words of wisdom

Inspiring

You are

The old class clown

Entertaining

You are

A faithful friend

Supporting

You are.....

You are.....

Everything

Timeless

The slightest glance

is all it takes

The softest touch

upon your face

Hungry breaths

drink up the scent

Our lips part

then reach to taste

There's no one else

just this time, this space

inhibitions gone

clock's hands are still

You run your fingers

down my spine

A shiver brings

us both to life

We move as one

in perfect time

Our bodies, minds

and souls entwined

Then all at once

with deepest gasp

I know for sure

I'm home at last

Fairy Tales

Born to believe
In fairy tales
Pirate boats
with billowing sails

With vivid dreams
Of damsels fair
We build our castles
up in the air

Then we’re grown
Time has ticked by
The magic goes
With sudden sigh

Fear and worry
Reach out to grasp
With power and might
Of poisonous asp

But they are just
Superficial beasts
That crack your thoughts
And begin to feast

Take no head
Of spells they cast
All illusions
Never meant to last

Brush off the doubts
Shared by some
Believe that great things
Have yet to come

There's.......

There’s a ray of light from up above
That pokes it’s fingers through the clouds
It shines a spotlight in the world
And wakes it from it’s shroud

There’s a friendly smile in tiny bud
That shines with morning dew
‘Tis nature’s precious gem
Worth much more than any jewel

There’s a busy hum all around
As bees go about their work
They flit and flee from flower to flower
Their chores they never shirk

There’s the gossip of a thousand birds
That chatters through the trees
They tell the tales of local feuds
That revert again to peace

There’s a silver thread, hidden well
That often can’t be seen
A spider’s home, his work of art
Which in the light will glean

There’s a whisper on the slightest wind
That will barely touch one’s ears
It takes with it another day
As night time slowly nears

Sepia Tones

Through tepid light
The hours sway
Stories remain untold

In sepia tones
That fade with time
Thoughts of pictures never taken

Love lies dusty
Upon the shelf
Next to kisses not yet given

Cobwebbed dreams
Inside a box
Forgotten through the years

Candle of hope
Flickers and fails
In breeze of wasted time

Gifts to share
Wrapped up within
Laughter that won’t be heard

Fears and Doubts

Wild winds howl

It beats us down

Cold rips apart our clothes

Storm clouds race

Then darkness falls

Thunder shouts out all failings

Doubt floods over

Pulled deep below

Grieving dreams long washed away

Fear grabs hold

And loves to tease

Forcing thoughts you can't explain

Days pass by

Hope bids farewell

Only the shell of life remains

Poetry's End

The rhythm has now faltered
And rhyme begun to fail
A verse of sorts had been penned
Each day now for a month
Though the end has come
And words now rest
The challenge has been won
And nothing’s left to say

Teacher's Frustration

sit still
be quiet
shhh
get on with it
don’t talk
what are you doing
have you finished
leave it alone
sit at your desk
get down
put it away
get rid of it
give it back
put it down
where’s your book
why is your pencil at home
your chair has four legs
please don’t talk with your mouth full
listen
pay attention
follow directions
what did I tell you to do
do you need help
I have told you to be quiet
push your chair in
pick it up
put it down
throw it away
don’t throw it away
take it out of your mouth
do you need a tissue
slow down
speed up
speak up
don’t yell
why are you doing that….

Somedays a broken record would be useful

On the Outside, Looking In

golden glow
through window panes
soft hum
words spoken inside
own days
brought back together
rich smells
meals cooked with care
mile stones
needing celebrations
tears cried
always shoulders near
cherished memories
with pride of place
feet curled
on sofa seats
warm quilts
to snuggle under
with love
bedtime kisses given
lights out
sweet dreams for all
Another house
becomes a home

Waiting........... Just Waiting

Work days waiting
for weekends to come

Darkness waiting
for dawn to arise

Grey skies waiting
for the sun to shine

Confusion waiting
for a clear head

Boredom waiting
for fun to begin

Laughter waiting
for jokes to share

Children waiting
for parents to see

Rocks waiting 
for waves to crash

Friends waiting 
for phones to ring

Buds waiting
for spring time to arrive

Bees waiting
for flowers to bloom

Clocks waiting
for hours to pass

Hearts waiting
for love to show

Past waiting
for the future to come

Always waiting
For waiting to end

Lifelong Performance

A mystery performed
In a theatre without seats
No rehearsal or matinee
One continuous run
Sets to be built 
And dressed on the fly
Costumes are found
Though they don’t always fit
A cast of characters
That pass through the show
No scripting
No prompts
Adlibbing prevails
There’s no intermission
No chance for a break
As the next act begins 
And the story unfolds
Just take your place
Continue the scene
Not knowing quite where
You’re meant to be
A score like no other
No orchestra heard
The leading character
Is your lifelong role
It’s long and it’s tiring
No hint of what may come
But the show must go on
Till the curtain does fall.

Sleepless Nights

Sleep used to be a charm
Falling into dreams
With the greatest of ease
Face down in the pillow
The night would pass by
Glorious technicolour movies
Played out in my head
If sleep tapped on my shoulder
I’d crash out anywhere
Impossible to wake
Till it’s time was done

Then as a teen
It started to shift
Tossing and turning
Restless nights had begun
No longer my friend
Sleep would prod and then poke
Teasing when tired
What a wonderful joke

And now I just struggle
Each night is a mess
As I pass in and out
Of that conscious zone
I wake every hour
Watch the minutes tick by
Then steal a few moments
Before starting again.

My Old Room

My old room
Is that one there
Just to the left
At the top of the stairs

Open the door 
And it’s quite plain to see
My world was a mess
But a great place to be

A bed never made
Duvet left in a heap
I’ll just wreck it again
When I next go to sleep

A wardrobe door
That wouldn’t quite close
After tidying up toys
And maybe some clothes

This is the home of
Childhood treasures and dreams
Each one shining bright
In the light of moonbeams

Books filled with friends
Who battle their foes
In my secret worlds
Where no-one else goes

The bag that got packed
Running away was the aim
But in 8 year old style
I wasn’t quite game

The view from the window
Was one I adored
Soak up the valley for hours
And always want more

Some things got packed 
But most left behind
For years long forgotten
In a rush come to mind

Introspection

I think I finally
know who I may be.
I look in the mirror 
but it’s not who I see.
I think I need
to regain control.
To feel a new passion 
and begin to feel whole
I think I am destined
to walk on alone.
So time to let go
and grasp what I own.
I think things must change
so life can begin.
Set the past to one side
and find a new way to win.

Sensing

Taste the sweetness
of simplicity
Feel the texture
of humanity
See the colours
of possibility
Smell the air
of certainty
Hear the thunder
of destiny
Sense the essence
of your entity

That Kid

He’s that kid
Or so they said
The one always in trouble
With no self control.

He’s that kid
He’ll argue the toss
He’ll never let up
Always needs to be right

He’s that kid
The one who thinks with his fists
Always acting on impulse
Never thinking things through

He’s that kid
A tough nut to crack
He’ll sulk and he’ll mope
Stubborn right to the core

He’s that kid
Thanks for your insight
Useful to know
But I’ll make up my own mind

He’s that kid
Who means what he says
Just show him respect
And he will follow you for miles

He’s that kid
Enthusiasm abounds
Grabs on with both hands
Then goes on a ride

He’s that kid
Who will give you his all
A compassion filled soul
A natural leader inside

He’s that kid
With a heart of pure gold
No thought for himself
When righting a wrong

He’s that kid
With a big cheeky grin
A dance in his step
And a glint in his eye

He’s that kid
One that sticks in your head
Wonder how he will grow
And what man he’ll become

He’s that kid
My privilege to teach
He’s that kid
Now playing in my street

A Cat's Life

I wish I was a lazy cat
Never worried ‘bout this or that
Curl up on the couch and sleep all day
Go out at night and begin to play
Have no worries, no cares at all
Expect my dinner when I call
I may nip outside and find a mouse
and hide it somewhere in the house
I’ll hold a grudge if you do me wrong
Then mope and sulk all day long
But if you should treat me right
I’ll smooch up close and cuddle in tight
Unconditional love I’ll give
When with you is where I choose to live
I’ll turn your house into a home
And promise that I’ll never roam.

Avoidance

Procrastination is a skill
It takes time to master
For use at will
Dedication will be required
To avoid those tasks 
For which you’re hired
Summon power found inside
So from your chores
You can hide
Ignore things that must be done
Wouldn’t you rather
Do something fun
Put things off for a new day
Pretend you’ll find
Some other way
No first things first or best till last
For time runs out
Much too fast.

5 Year Plan

Closing the door
of the classroom behind
A job once needed
but no longer desired

Freedom of movement
Removing the chains
of the daily grind
yet still paying the bills

Feeling each breeze
The sun on your skin
The magic that is brought
with each passing season

Experiencing the world
An eye on the lens
A snapshot of time
A moment is held

Arising each day
With a song to be sung
Simplicity of life
In nature and home

To be secure in myself
And trust who I am
To know all will be fine
and I’m good enough

Friendships forged
in unlikely places
laughter and love
with those who inspire

Someone to love
To walk beside
To share the days with
A partner in crime.

Life Lessons from a Paraglider

Waiting patiently
for perfect opportunity
To arise
A calming deep breath
Committing yourself
To one giant leap
Complete 
Self-confidence
No thoughts
of second guessing
With a rush
The world opens
Laid out beneath
Everything
Hanging by a thread
Faith in
Self guidance
Unpredictability met
With natural reactions
Enjoying the ride
Till feet firmly land

Freeway

Fragments of lives
Flashing past
Power poles
Stand guard beside
Smooth tar
Laid out before
Farm filled plains
and fields of green
Rusted signs
Once showed the way
Basalt range
Arises proud
Reaches for
Endless sky
Open space
Sets free the soul

Home?

Born in a town
Where mountains meet lakes
A place full of beauty 
And Miss Potter’s fair creatures.

A childhood well spent
On a council estate
In a typical small town
Somewhere in the Dales

Youth on the green
With many a game
From dawn until dusk
Always somewhere to be

A shire that was hurting
Where caution prevailed
Take care of your loved ones 
Till the Ripper is found

Just ordinary folk
You are not meant to be
Any more than you are
And the things that you see

Don’t ask and don’t wish
Just be thankful you got
Don’t raise up your hopes
They will be crushed anyway

So many cousins
Brothers, sister them all
All of the relatives living nearby
Great-grand parents adored.

Weekends with Grannie
I thought they expected
Such an impression it left
That we no longer speak

Always compared 
To the kids who lived near
They are so……….
And you are so not.

A wedge driven deep 
In a crack already there
A wound often picked
Which won’t fully heal

Picked on at school 
For being too bright
Couldn’t be with the cool kids
Free school dinners set us apart

Years in the making
Things looking up
Friendships and bonding
Secondary school a delight

Now that you’re settled
We’ll uproot and sell up
We’ll travel ‘cross oceans
To a place you’ll adore

A place you’ll know no one
And you’ll never quite fit
No matter how hard you try
The accent gives you away

No frame of reference
No common past
Just pull on a mask 
And pretend there’s no hurt

Forever moving
It never ends
No place that’s called home
No place just to be

Stuck for Words

I am stuck for words
Nothing seems right
I ponder and pose
But the page remains white

There are so many things
I would love to say
But the words won’t fall
Into their places today

So this one I shall pass
As I’ve tried everything
And hope inspiration
Is something tomorrow will bring

For Friends Old and New

Though we may be separated
by distance, space and time
the friendship you gave
has touched my soul,
your care has warmed my heart.

There are those friends
who join you for a reason
to teach you more than you ever knew.
These are a most fortunate find
and one that must be treasured.

I know that life 
may sometimes move us
down a different path
and no matter how much we cling
some things must come to pass.

So if you should find yourself
along this way again,
either by fate or chance, or just a simple detour
know deep down within your heart
the door remains wide open.

For the Love of Coffee

With a flick you have stirred my soul
anticipation wells down deep
reaching out with both hands
clutching you in close
inhaling with the deepest breath
savouring your scent
your richness amazes me
balanced in one so sweet
I close my eyes as you tease my lips
with a gentle caress
I have waited much too long
for you to reawaken the essence of me
I shall pause within this moment
before I drink it up
for I alone cannot live without you….
my morning cup of coffee!

Won't You?

Won’t you share a story
of a time that has gone
the story of our youth
when we had wings to fly

Won’t you tell a tale
of a place where we were safe
the tale of a neighbourhood
where everyone knew your name

Won’t you paint a picture
of a box of favourite toys
the picture of your childhood
full of things that once were treasures

Won’t you perform a play
of characters you once knew
the play about your elders
to whom respect was always paid

Won’t you score a symphony
of the sounds from your past
the symphony of your family
with all of their highs and lows

Velvet Night

soft cool breeze
wraps it’s arms
hugging tight
as eyes are drawn
into the sky
velvet night
before dawn
begins to break
curtains open
to the universe
stars glisten
messages sent
only some will see
reminders of
a wider world
comfort found
standing still
in cold night air
that most don’t feel

Identity Crisis

How do you
define identity,
is it searching 
for your soul?

Is it that
you feel lost
because you’re
not sure who you are?

How many labels
have been given
that never
seem quite right?

Are you living
other’s plans
ones that
don’t make sense?

Do you simply
go through motions
and never
see the end?

Will you continue
on this road
waving yourself
goodbye?

NaPoWriMo on 43T

Tis the middle of the night
but I think I just might
make a start on this goal
should be soothing for the soul
try not to be in a rush
or the words will turn to mush
to write each day is the aim
doesn’t matter if words are lame
set them free upon the net
wonder if a cheer you’ll get
never knowing what you’ll read
as 43’ers plant their seed
poems coming thick and fast
an entire month they will last
from all around the world
creativity is unfurled

Queensland Tapestry

Rain tapping on tin roofs
dancing to it’s own beat
takes with it the pressure
of the summer heat

Heat haze rising
from steamy road ahead
reaching for the horizon,
with a sunset rich and red

Golden shores laid out before
coated in hot sand
toes soothed in cool water
by waves with gentle hand

Oppressive heat bares down
pushing with all it’s might
darkness falls and so we wait
for relief throughout the night

Dark clouds race across the sky
Calling out with thunderous bark
Sheets of light encase the air
and forks with perfect arc

Far out across drought ridden plain
stream soils of sunburnt red
wind whips up dusty clouds
that dance upon a thread

Stones of ice form above
then plumet to the ground
like meteorites they shower the earth
with an almighty sound

In suburban streets new rivers flow
water pours, seeking drains
rapids bend around debris
the legacy of summer rains

Bright blue skies soar above
birds calls fill the air
clouds of soft cotton wool
shapes changing with each stare

So many parts to this tapestry
created by a wise old hand
each a piece in it’s own way
of summer in Queensland

Banter

Ha ha
squawked the crow
sitting in a tree
I know something
you don’t know
but you won’t
get it out of me

Please please
begged the toad
looking up at him
I’ll share a secret
of my own
or else
I’ll take a swim

No, no
the crow looked down
with his beady eyes
This game
you cannot win
stuck in a swamp down there
when I have big blue skies

See, see
Croaked the toad
as he gave a mighty hop
What I know
is the best
Something
you can’t top.

On and on
they both went
long into the night
Each one believing
they know for sure
and the other
can’t be right.

Just Being

constant
questions
how
why
answers
unclear
confusion
reigns
clarity
sought
troubled
mind
emotions
overwhelm
sanctuary
wished
confidence
lost
swept
away
hope
leaves
calmness
found
essence
of
just
being

Song of Streets

dark night
dawn breaks
curtain rises
songs of streets

birds chirp
trees rustle
the soft sounds
of the choir

folks wake
doors creak
daily rhythm
now begun

radios crackle
engines rev
an underlying
melodious hum

garbage cans
rattle, crash
urban drums
don’t miss beats

dogs bark
voices call
off beat notes
punctuate air

people gone
about their day
all is quiet
the song is sung