My dear Lizzy if I may still be so boldafter 51 years of absence from Longbournexactitude being a virtue amongst friends,as it is to be precise as it is to be worthycan I speak of that struggle so containedby society’s rigours of want for decorum?Be assured I delight in the fortunesof the other Miss Bennetts … Continue reading A not so recalcitrant reader returns to Pride and Prejudice, Jane I remain Yours, &c.

At times my body heatpresages combustion,but we’re in the Eye of Usthis constant iridescence,my VU bright litin the red corner. Going off like radiationa heart ticking boom,an amplifier out of modebut so mellow,the bass specificno matter how the EQ is justified. A kid’s month is a summer tortoisethe day a year of beach towels,before the … Continue reading Birthday Stereophonics of the Elder Kind

doves banter the night throughmade sleepless by the south’s revivalcoming in hard pushing northern dust to groundmaking claim to earth again rain brings the splotchy ozone downthe ordinance of sky restored on the highland road puddles make nonsensetrees lift off closing roadsthe detour is a waft in fogwipers pout vain against humidity the navigating voice … Continue reading To an artist’s retrospective, Jindivick

Lombardy poplars held magnet to the skythe slow horizon a repast of moonto lick the salt bone of starsmy hand bleeding from an oxide barb a fortune told by every runnel catch at them as they mindthe fat house cow kicking outagainst the pollard grip of entrapmentcold lambs asleep by the wood box fire mothers … Continue reading Under wisteria, Valley Farm

In a cruciform townbuilt of stone and sweatthey laid us both downfor the crime of theft we swam ourselves nakedshook a fist at the moonwhere the oily anointedare past dead too soon       that’s what you get baby      for wanting to be free      that’s what you get baby      for wanting to be free I kissed … Continue reading Leonard Cohen and Me, Not by the Levee

in these streetsthey still play end to endand three goals in the old mine siren soundsat midday, every day,as though the shift will come up one coaled nationality the sea filled shafts on overflowtomorrow’s cars on nature stripsturbine shadows calling time sand dunes bleat for patienceturned over bellies sun upfine ground as bone and promise … Continue reading High on the low down (even though I have to jump), reprise

The first drive east. Out past dauntless newsuburbs scattered like a teenager’s room.Asleep in the future. All that aspiration watchingfrom the cosy dissemble of the city’s embrace,but curled like a cat, the tail flicking impatiently.My first car. The HD station wagonearly morning, no other traffic –the world in hibernation except for us.Pages turned quietly in … Continue reading First, 1975

where the jetty meandersbrokeningly wadingin a high jumper’s roll,a pelican fills up the dayholding a reserve for tomorrowa word it regurgitates to reflectout of preening reminiscencethe savour of relivingtastes of feeding again whilst weary anglers returnsinging of old regretthat good times are a harvest,pooling about in undefined circlesand knowing it can flywherever the fancyor carefree … Continue reading At Gypsy Point

Would our conversation have continuedif I asked about colour and strokeand offered, words are unused palettesmade tactile for the willingas she turned to restrain my OCDeach object, centred yet abstractin younger days congealing and tamedby that wild brush, of a hand pouring tea. Margaret Olley Yellow Room

A koala walked beside mewhile I mowedstopped when I stoppedlooked over and slothed alongwhen I started again Two black snakes ahead of medoing it harduphill in the drivewaythe gravel clingingtheir red bellies dusty Three eagles counting upliftstracked me to the dry creekplayed keepings off with magpiesI was singing Guantanamerawhen the deer sprang Four horses came … Continue reading Summer has its reasons