Some thoughts inspired by a) the end of March, b) community events, c) conversations by older conservative men, & d) celebration of my daughter’s coming birthday.

Reflections on March

Another month comes to an end 
Full of activities life does send
Gardening and maintenance 
No signs of malfeasance. 

Sailing on the ocean blue
Grandkids to keep us true
To the heart of what is needed 
A love of all that is heeded. 

Isolation is not good for the heart
With other people we must impart 
The joy in the world around us
Over trivia we should not fuss. 

And yet one thing remains true
That inside our fears do stew
Of all in the world that goes wrong
Making it hard to always be strong. 

Writing these words does help
Avoidance of that awful yelp
When a twist in the road ahead 
Makes me want to stay in bed. 

Brian Matthews 28-3-24

Community Events 

A hub of activity 
The Showgrounds today 
Market in one corner 
Car boot sale on the grounds 
Refugee art show in the pavilion. 

People strolling around 
Purchasing this and that
Kid’s drawn by colours
Of a flowing tent
Pondering over the art. 

A nice warm day
Music in the background 
Smiling and talking bubbling 
As friends greet each other 
And share tales of recent events. 

And time drifts along
Changing faces swirl by
Eager faces of the little ones
Curiosity on the older ones 
Engaging with the hanging talent. 

Dogs patiently waiting 
As their owners look here and there
Laughter tinkling gently 
The gentle hum of voices 
The benign flow of community. 

Brian Matthews 30-3-24

Looking to the Future

Lost in time
So many dreams dashed
Positives for the future upended. 

In the 70s the future seemed bright 
World peace just around the corner
People keen to embrace ‘the other’. 

But as time rolled on
The blanket pulled back
To reveal more of the same. 

Each step forward 
Leading to sliding back
Monsters created from the benign. 

And now the old white men talk
Of a past full of joy
Denigrating all that’s new. 

The talk is corrosive 
Stripping away any hope
Of a greener, caring world. 

Pointing to each new development 
Decrying the young for their ignorance 
Mourning the way things once were. 

Where did the youthful enthusiasm go?
Why cannot they see the flaws
That lay everywhere in the past?

I write these words to help me understand 
To create a pathway for the future 
But boulders block the way. 

Rolled out by self interest 
Those who suffer from certainty 
Knowing that only they have the answers. 

I’m left limp and uncertain 
Hopeful that young minds will triumph 
Negative mindsets displaced. 

Brian Matthews 1-4-24

Ashlea’s 38

Another birthday looms
To be here and then gone
Joyful words spoken and shared
The lust for life not spared. 

And in your smile all can see
How happy in your skin you are
Though with your share of trouble beset
On coping with this all can bet. 

I hope that in the coming year
Your wishes become what you want
Though rarely does life roll out
Without the odd stinging clout. 

But pleased I am to share your love
To see you build both family and career
Battling with each daily challenge 
Tasks and duties you skilfully arrange. 

A focus that I much admire
Chipping away at all to be done
Always remembering life’s true purpose
Relationships and love in surplus. 

Brian Matthews 2-4-24