Here is one of my poems from Strange Words: A Little Book of Poems and Prayers.
Who can stand it –
this uncertain bond?
Shall it be
swallowed by
the great blue mouth of sea?
Great Blue
The Great Death – poem
I stood at the back of the funeral room.
Very still.
Black dress. Black coat.
It’s cold.
Strange Words – A Book of Poetry
I am happy to let you know that I have now published a small book of poetry. It will expand over the next few years.
No lazy mind
comes to poetry.
For poetry goes
where we are
reluctant to travel.
Travel we must.
One Day the World Stopped – poem
One day the world stopped
because of the thing.
We knew it was there
and knew it was dangerous
because, you know,
it left bodies in the dirt.
We all stayed in –
couldn’t touch,
shouldn’t meet,
mustn’t dance.
God forbid
we kiss.
Eventually, the thing got tired.
Besides, it knew it wasn’t welcome,
even though, the grass grew better,
and the birds worried less,
and the air breathed deeper
as the humans breathed less.
We all stayed in –
couldn’t touch,
shouldn’t meet,
mustn’t dance.
God forbid
we kiss.
I hope we remember
what we once did;
blocking airways,
blocking enemies,
blocking friends.
Let things mend.
One day, the world stopped.
Another day, it started again
and acted like it had never stopped.
It does things like that.
I do hope we remember
that life is not long
and love is not free,
unless it is.
Fall in Love with a Flower – poem
Of all that is written, poetry requires the most from its reader. No lazy mind is drawn to poetry.
Fall in love,
fall in love.
How easy it is
to fall in love with a flower.
Take it,
take it.
Fragile thing.
Absolute power.
I think God made a mistake
in making flowers
so easy to take.
So very, very easy to take.
Not With Wings – Hafiz
Poem by Hafiz.
Read by Donna Goddard.
At Warrandyte River, Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia.
Translation by Daniel Ladinsky.
Vicious – poem
Play your cards.
Leave no trace.
Pick a time.
Pick a place.
Keep your fire
smouldering low
until you strike
a cruel blow.
Guide the gullible.
Keep them blind.
Trick the trusting.
Destroy the kind.
Vicious, vicious.
You cannot win.
For life supports not
the treachery within.
Courage, courage.
Get up, get up.
I will help you.
Drink from the grace-cup.
Muddled mind,
the waters will clear.
And you will see
the savage dears.
Kind, kind.
Do not despair.
I hear and heed
your caring prayer.
Surrender – poem
I surrender all to you.
I surrender my life to you.
I will do whatever you want.
I will go wherever you want.
I will love whoever you ask me to love.
I will give up all my stupid opinions.
I will give up all my hopeless cravings.
I release my broken dreams.
I forfeit my planned futures.
I am at your mercy.
I will think no thought
or proceed with any action
which does not come from you
because You love me.
Strange Words – poem
There you are.
Standing right here.
I miss you.
Standing here,
talking strange words.
I miss you.
Strange words,
telling me plans.
I miss you.
You speak of dreams
and dream of things
that go a million ways.
There you are.
But where is you?
The you, I know you are.
There you are.
Standing right here.
Talking strange words.
I miss you.
Strange words,
telling me plans.
You speak of dreams
and dream of things
that go a million ways.
There you are.
But where is you?
The you, I know you are.
The other you,
the different one.
The one that makes two ONE.
Today I Will Be Happy – poem
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will look up.
I will see the sunshine, the rain, the sky.
Vast. Giving. Forgiving.
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will see.
I will see you. You who changes clothes,
changes colour, changes history, and changes destiny.
Today, I will be happy.
Today, I will remember the hurt and forget the pain.
Those long-loved; loved still.
Those now-loved; we’re blessed.
Today, I will be happy.
Maybe, I wasn’t happy yesterday.
Maybe, I won’t be happy tomorrow.
But today, today, I will be happy.
