My Poems

Tormented Souls

Complex person.

Abstract thought makes sense

to rare few.

Perceptive minds

unravel the mystery.

Life –

complicated and unpredictable.

So far away.

Just out of reach.

Souls yearning.

World spinning uncontrollably.

Or is it,

just you and me?

Helpless?

Drifting forever in a maze of fate,

never drifting apart.

Just out of reach,

never quite touching.

Strained emotions,

infinitely unsettled.

Circumstances unyielding.

Complex people.

Composed in 1978

The Image

(for Adri)

Image of life,

originality.

Image of reality,

expectations.

Image of dream,

fulfillment.

Reality of dream –

dream of reality.

Blindness versus intelligence.

Perception.

The Individual

struggling.

Confusion –

undermines all thought . . .

Is life but a vision, my friend?

Composed in 1979

I Am But One

(for Julian)

The world in fragments.

Individuals

picking out pieces,

discarding conventions,

stereotypes non-existent

in his world.

Still searching.

Never lingering long enough to be caught

in the tide of monotony.

A minute particle

in a vast universe of mass production,

struggling for originality.

Creativity dominates ignorance.

the ‘ideal’ image fruitless,

never given a chance

to take over the world.

A continual battle

for a sense of identity.

Composed in 1979

Invisible Walls Still Human 

(for Jenni)

A warm , yet detached smile.

A tender, yet cold touch.

So near and yet so far.

Distant

from the problem.

Just lending a sterile hand

to responsibilities so great.

Frustrations,

of having to remain aloof.

Strangers become patients,

remain strangers,

draining you –

of attention,

and love,

and emotion,

until there is nothing,

but a stone cold shell of a person

in a stiff uniform,

mechanically dutiful.

Exigency of life

so fragile,

sometimes

you wish you were dead.

Exhaustingly exhilarating.

Still coping with the demands,

never quite losing touch

with reality.

Composed in 1979

Inner Conflict 

(for Julie)

Stranger,

among a sea of new faces.

Old one reappearing,

demanding attention.

Torn between past and present.

Afraid to hurt,

yet inner mind

tranquil,

knowing

years can never separate

The Bond.

Friendly faces

eager to please.

Never quite the same.

Still a stranger

in many ways,

leaving transient impressions,

except to few.

Composed in 1979

The Pale Shadow

(In Memorium – Chris)

The presence

of the dark wall

so threatening

I see

Nothing

beyond the darkness.

Onerous pressure

envelopes the whole;

the grey vision

imperishable.

Mind spinning,

body aching,

all anguish,

all frustration

is drawn out,

and numbs beyond numbness.

Unrelentless to all.

Unforgiving.

Pain forever implanted.

Sorrow

a sediment –

disturbed

by the presence of the forboding wall,

willing to quell

unexpectedly,

with stoic ease.

But the evanescent shadow

continues,

eternally bound,

to follow

many

unaware

of its diaphanous existence.

Composed in 1979

Insatiable Moods

Blank minds

continue

to suppress.

Us –

so lovely,

so vulnerable

to modern starvation.

Transitional emotions

concealed

by shallow mirrors

of aloofness,

reflecting

literal existence;

while we stand

motionless –

waiting

with anticipation,

for the world

to stop,

and listen

to our minds

crying out

in soulful desperation.

Composed in 1979

Quintessence of Living

What is life,

but an immeasurable unit

searching endlessly

for meaning beyond.

The power to observe

more clearly

with the inner eye.

Solitude tortures many.

Yet this silent companion,

an alter ego

to the perceptive ilk.

A stranger among men in this world –

inflicted with consternation,

unless

we have the strength

to strive for deeper understanding.

To expand the creative milieu;

to alleviate the conventional restrictions;

to eradicate superficiality.

Must retain our individual identities,

if life is to hold . . . a purpose.

Composed in 1980

Translucent Journey

Immortal pain

so deep

and unpredictably violent,

stabs the soul,

inflicts the body –

limb to limb,

muscle to muscle,

bone to bone.

The threads unwilling

to give way.

Desperation,

in silent attitude,

fighting against

disintergrating strength

and mere helplessness.

Ultimate pressure

unmercifully tautens

all rational moves

with insensitivity.

The mind stands

unprotected

before Fate,

innocent and confused,

frightened,

yet accepting decimation

as the only

possible path.

Futile existence

insignificant,

losing all grasp

of the complex thoughts

rarely perceived in society;

unable

to support

the fragile body

of subtlety

any longer.

Unique

amongst the oblivious,

struggling for sympathy

from the masses,

so often misunderstood

until eternal peace

becomes strangely inviting.

Composed in 1981

The Silent Heart

(for Gwen & Clive)

Three as one

with such propinquity,

in many ways

helping,

sharing,

guiding.

Friendly faces

crying out

in laughter with you,

in sorrow with you.

No pretences.

Carefree,

dutiful,

and sympathetic to one another.

Emotional unity

within a concentrated circle.

An esoteric sphere,

tightly binding

this infinite bond.

Composed in 1981

  Birth of a Great Nephew

(for Sharon & Steven)

Love beyond words

delicate

tender

fulfilling

a longing desire.

Fragile dream

bestowed with

greatest

of Christmas joys.

Composed in January 1993

Fragile Beginning

(for Jenny)

A memory sweet

a glowing warmth.

A burden of deep

condolence sought.

A tearful parting,

aching hearts,

a painful yearning,

a tentative start.

A little treasure

of you and me,

will drift forever

in memory.

Composed in 1994

Birth

A loving touch

a warm embrace

strong sensations

a moments rest.

Hearts pounding

the hours long,

trying to focus

energy gone.

Helpless.

Frustrated.

Lack of control.

Time drifts on

in a spiraling swirl

of voices

and feelings

and pushing galore.

No closer.

No further

than before.

So sweet darling,

as dignity fades,

a sudden appearance

of our long awaited babe.

Emotions burst forth

and tears of joy

override this precious moment

with the birth of our boy.

Composed in 1995

Ode to Zebras

Graceful and free

muscles tense

with anticipation

beneath black and white

diffused against

a withdrawing horizon.

Panic stricken,

their soulful eyes

seek escape

as clouds of dust

envelop them

with unbridled pleasure.

Composed in 1999

 Ode to Sixty Years of Marriage

Twenty five years have been and gone,
Then fifty came around.
Now it’s sixty years of true devotion,
An achievement to be proud!

We look back in admiration,
Of the losses you had to bear,
As you parted from friends and family,
For a better life elsewhere.

Arriving in Australia,
To a culture of carefree living,
With a language difficult to master,
And a climate unforgiving.

In jest and ridicule were you betrayed,
In your many attempts and persistence,
To speak and learn this new language better,
Which at first made little difference.

Despite the negativity,
You had one goal in mind,
To secure a home for your family,
Which you were determined to find.

After some moving from place to place,
And tough times along the way,
You remained steadfast in your dreams,
And eventually came the day.

When you finally arrived in a far out town,
A long way from Albert Park,
To a little place called Warrandyte,
Where you settled and made a start.

From precious little your hard work began,
To create the best for us all.
We often wonder how you managed,
As it must have been quite a struggle.

You have experienced so much in your life,
Things we could never comprehend,
We cannot fully understand the war,
And the hardships this inflicted ‘til the end.

Not only have you lived through such times,
You then moved to an unknown place,
Where opportunities you truly believed,
Would be easier to embrace.

Although sometimes it was a challenge,
As you had four daughters to raise,
You never wavered in your duty as parents,
And were always ready to praise.

We rarely caught a glimpse of disagreements,
Or bore witness to your worries and stress,
You made sure we never went without,
And filled our home with love and kindness.

You seldom thought about yourselves,
Placing others needs before your own,
Your wish was to give your girls,
A life we could not bemoan.

As if you had not enough to do already,
You made time for others in need,
The fact they were not always family,
Were honorable gestures indeed.

But that is our Mum and Dad all over,
Never asking for anything in return,
Overflowing with generosity of spirit,
Humbly grateful for everything they earned.

Then your daughters grew up and married,
They had children of their own,
Some of these children now have children,
And your family has truly grown.

We may not always have thanked you,
And our appreciation never waned,
Without fail you loyally supported us,
Even when our mistakes were to blame.

We thank you now for all the pain and sacrifices,
You have shouldered for us over the years,
We appreciate every effort you made,
And more clearly understand your tears.

There must have been moments of frustration,
And times of discomfort and despair.
You survived every setback and with stoic pride,
You still showed us how much you cared.

We feel your deep respect for one another,
And can see your strong bond in life,
You may not always openly show your love,
But it’s there - as parents, husband and wife

No one can dare accuse you of selfishness,
Or of not trying your very best,
You have continually done far and beyond,
What would have been done by the rest.

Look back with pride on all your achievements,
And the incredible distance you have traveled.
Many would have faltered well before now,
Taking the path in life’s journey you have followed.

Composed in January 2007