An end of year post…

Almost 4 months without a post! My head has not been in the best of places and my poetry has been almost nonexistent as I struggle with feelings that my writing is self indulgent crap and thoughts that I should not assume that others might be interested.

But when the inspiration to write emerges, it is hard to resist and I remind myself that I write primarily for my own joy and, I guess, by definition that is self indulgence, so here are poems I have not yet put out there on my blog:

Life’s Lessons 

A lesson in patience 
A part ordered 
But delivery drags on. 

In these days of instant gratification 
Probably not a bad thing 
To appreciate your place in the queue. 

Difficult to understand 
With the line of trucks
Heading out from each City. 

But supply chains can be fragile 
An explosion on a major highway 
Weather events beyond control. 

A glimmer of hope appears 
Notification of delivery due
But not clear if one is ours. 

And we wait again
Garry the pigeon watching 
We hold our breath in anticipation. 

Brian Matthews 6-9-24

Reflecting on my Mum

So, today Mum would’ve been 97
Here it is what she would have called ‘muggy’
Warm and humid. 

Thus is Cairns in early Spring 
Lovely weather for most
Though many prefer it drier. 

On this warm evening I reflect
Thinking of my Mum
Gone more than three years now. 

She seemed to want the end
Though often very ambivalent 
The need to live ingrained in us all. 

She gave much to so many
Ignoring her needs to help others
The pettiness of her final days not her. 

On balance a heroine 
Helping others most of her life
In the end, frustrated by her lack of independence. 

We all want to die with dignity 
As we hoped to have lived
But not all wishes are met. 

Brian  Matthews 10-9-24

What roads provide 

On the road again tomorrow
A series of 5 hour daily drives
Heading into the country’s centre. 

Soon the warm humidity left behind
The dry stretches of the open road
Avoiding the dreaded road trains. 

Though essential these are
To our far flung outposts 
Food, fuel and goods. 

Not to mention urban needs
Items carried from city to city
Truckies battling to meet timetables. 

While their families wait for their return
Hoping that they will be safe 
That their loads are delivered intact. 

It takes a lot to supply a big country
Farmers to grow the food we need
Infrastructure to take this where needed. 

While most of us take this for granted
At times even mocking the efforts
Of those who provide these essential services. 

It befits us to pause for a moment 
Reflect on those who feed our bellies 
And those who earn their bread by providing ours. 

Brian Matthews 11-9-24

The Outback

In outback Queensland 
Been to Mount Isa and Cloncurry
Long distances but not in a hurry. 

Now in a little place called Camooweal
Temperature today was 35
Ah, so glad to be alive. 

Tomorrow off to Tennant Creek
Then on to Ti Tree
To see what we can see. 

Road trains thick on the Barkly Highway 
Such long vehicles they are
Dwarfing our meagre car. 

So on we go on our trip
Kings Canyon our ultimate aim
Until home we return again. 

Brian Matthews 14-9-24

Some Haiku crept in

Ah, the quiet now
Disturbed by the snoring dog,
Grand final noise gone.

Brian Matthews 28-9-24

A Brother’s Lament

On this day every year
My heart feels so sore
Your smiling face I still can see
Your voice still lingers for me. 

I remember the good times 
And the shared sorrows
Wishing more time with you
Knowing this can’t be true. 

All must pass
A lifetime is limited 
And in many hearts you live on
Even though you have gone. 

Brian Matthews 28-10-24

Birthdays often provide inspiration. This one written for my dear wife.

For Barbara 

Another birthday for you is here
Let’s hope it brings you good cheer
Time to relax with a book to read
Later on some drinks and a good feed. 

Know that you are loved by me
And the rest of your family tree
And all those who value you
And the little kindnesses you always do. 

Thinking of others is the way you are
Whether they are near or far
To  a World of love you aspire
Helping to lift others from the mire. 

So another year will play out
And I say with a joyful shout
Be kind to yourself as well
As in your life you excell. 

Brian Matthews 29-10-24

And then an almost 2 month writing drought was broken by some little creatures

An Owl I Saw

Putting a sprinkler on in the dusk
Bathing in the drops a little owl I saw
A few days later then there were four.

The four hard to see high in the tree
Hunkered down for their rest
The night putting their hunting skills to test.

The little joys in nature do abound
The kangaroo and joey across the street 
Finding a patch of green grass to eat.

And bird life such a constant in my world
The rainbow lorikeets swooping down
The raucous corellas bringing a frown.

It is very easy to switch off to this
When too much time spent in your mind
But open your eyes and such pleasure you will find.

Brian Matthews 26-12-24