Curmudgeon Creep
It catches most I think
That tendency to reject
That which has become fashionable.
The young full of vim
Certain of what they know
Disparaging of older demographics.
It happens to you
And to me
And it will to them.
But frustrating it can be
When you think ‘like what’?
That makes no sense.
Fillers in language
Are common to all
At times so redundant.
‘Actually’ a case in point
‘Literally’ used too frequently
And often inappropriately.
But beware of being perceived
As a member of the ‘Language Police’
For words are never static.
Morph and change they do
A term for illness
Redefined as praise.
Technology creating more
‘Swipe Right’ we must
And accept these changes.
Brian Matthews, 17-2-22
Headlines
Such a shock to read
‘Dying dad’s dreams for children’
Amidst so many other dire headlines
But closer to his parents’ hearts.
His Mum sends a clipping photo
I pull over to access the message
Thinking my wife has another shopping request
Instead this smotes my eye and heart.
A balanced human interest tale
Some inaccuracies but nothing huge
But that headline drags me down
Uncovers despair so carefully hidden.
Hiding from the world’s horrors
Commonplace for me now
Flooding beyond belief,
Bombs falling on the innocent again.
This headline tears at me
Removing carefully constructed barriers
Reminding me of the odds against him
The battle far from won.
Remembering the little boy
With so many dreams and hopes
‘A glass half full’ type of person
Faced now with ravaged landscape.
And yet he battles on
Hiding that which might concern us
A heavy burden for his loving wife
Dealing with the daily slog.
Grief, a major downside of love
Uncertainty, aggravating this no end
For her the road so bumpy
Shaken to her core but on she goes.
As family and friends stand by
Little to do that can help
But unlike most headlines
Turning away is not possible.
Brian Matthews, 3-3-22
A Friend’s Concern
Phone call from a friend
Reminding not all is well
With his health
And flooded city.
His call to check on me
Hearing news of my son
His travails and prospects
Not cause to wave flags.
It is heartening
That people see beyond themselves
Worrying about friends distant
When for them far from ideal.
There is little more we can often do
Than show our concern for others
Empathising with their plight
Listening to their troubles.
But how important this is
To show our love
And that we’ve not forgotten
The ties that bind so deeply.
In a plague ridden world
Full of pain and military atrocities
The compassionate hearts beat still
Heads rear above the parapets.
The human spirit soars
Even through floods and war
Individuals seek each other out
Comfort given is comfort received.
Brian Matthews, 7-3-22
Sitting Quietly
Here I sit quietly
Listening to wind chimes
And the whoosh of the air
The crisp patter of dog claws.
Never is all silent
Nor everywhere still
Motion the universal entity
All vibrating until absolute zero.
And where does that exist?
In the vastness of space for sure,
The vacuum enveloping all
But still stars bleed warming light.
And I just sit here
With the luxury of naught to do
Contemplating a growing navel
Thoughts whirling endlessly.
Knowing that the respite is brief
That soon complex issues will rise
Challenging the peace again
Ensuring I don’t turn to stone.
Brian Matthews, 8/3/22
Another Loss
The axe falls again
News of another loss
Another pall descends.
Grief seems a magnet
For other ills
Attracting the worst.
I watch my dearest
Reel yet again
Her heart so sad.
Uplifting news needed
But all seems soiled
Blown in on a bitter wind.
Little good does it do
To remind of the cycle of life
When loss seems so pervasive.
We know new life will come
Different joys to explore
While the shadows overwhelm us.
We wait for the sun to rise
To throw its rays our way
Reminding us of these joys.
Brian Matthews, 10-3-22
People Gather
When tragedy hits
The people gather,
To lend a hand
To listen to a tale,
To share food and music.
We are social creatures
Creating communities here and there,
Shaping these groups
Into sound bases
For emotional support.
Yesterday I viewed this
Close at Hand
A community supporting
Music, song and celebration
So many kind hearts.
A talented musician
Travels so far
As do many family
And close friends
The children play and dance.
Blessed I am I think
To have a son so humble and caring
And a community that polishes that shine
Both in their words
And so many deeds.
And some adults dance too
All uplifted by their part
A chance to see and be seen
All enjoy the song and good cheer
And the happy memories made.
Brian Matthews, 14/3/22
Dedicated to:
- The Rendlesham (South Australia) and surrounding community
- Kim Churchill
- Team Matthews
Brian’s Reflections 