Been away on a long caravanning holiday to the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas in South Australia then across the Nullarbor to South West Western Australia (Esperance, Albany, Busselton, Margaret River) and back. Last day in Venus Bay SA today then home to Normanville SA tomorrow. Some poetry was written though this year has not been prolific for me:
I’ll start with one I wrote a month before our trip started in honour of one of my granddaughter’s 13th birthday.
The Task Ahead
So now Alexa’s teenage time
Looms and comes into focus
Some predictions might be made
Though each experience differs.
Battles with family a surety
These are eternally there
Important friendships developing
Some that will last and last.
Lessons learned from all around
Some not heeded, of course
Yet necessary to learn of the fluctuations
The ups and downs assured.
Becoming a 21st Century Woman
Not an easy task, I think
But never was the path gentle
Moving from child to adult.
Nobody’s advice is perfect
Though some more trusted
Part of the job to see the thorns
And find the flowers within.
May you find the needed tools
To carve your way ahead
Remembering that always
We who love you, have your back.
Brian (Pop) Matthews 8/5/23
Shortly followed by one for my wife Barbara on Mother’s Day. I decided some time back that I would refer to Mother’s Day with the apostrophe before the s, as it is a day for each individual Mother, and I follow the same convention for Father’s Day
On Mother’s Day
On Mother’s Day
I’d like to say
How much I appreciate
Things you do that you just don’t rate.
The love and the joy
That’s not just a ploy
When e’re a meal you prepare
Another novel offering you dare.
The smile I see
When you contemplate me
The laugh that tugs my heart
You make so easily, such an art.
Your concern for others
When they have their bothers
And always attentive to my needs
With all your thoughtful deeds.
Love you greatly I clearly do
As life we jointly meander through
Hopeful that we’ll enjoy our days
In so many fulfilling ways.
I hope with a lovely day you’ll be blessed
Better still if you get a rest
With loving family around
And heart lovingly bound.
Brian Matthews, 12-5-23
Brian’s Reflections 