Travelling does lead to time on the hands and, as I had some other computer things to do, thought I’d update my blog.
Here’s a lovely sunset photo from Goondiwindi, in Queensland, on the Queensland/New South Wales border:
I do find I don’t write as much since I lost my gig on community radio. That motivated me to produce new material and my headspace was so much better when I had a monthly audience and the lovely interactions with Jan Potter, such a skilled and prolific communicator with a keen mind and a sharp wit.
Enough of that! Below are poems I have written since my last update over 3 months ago:
The first poem was written on the way back from our last camping trip and my last blog post:
The Circle of Life
In Dimboola again
Stopped there on the first day
Now here again on the last.
A large caravan park
On the banks of the Wimmera River
Slow flowing, if at all, this time of year.
Just over a month ago the town was evacuated
Threatened by a major bushfire
Last night a celebration for the firies who saved them.
Such it is in country Victoria
Where the wet is very wet
And the dry a tinderbox.
Those living in rural Australia
Have a wonderful lifestyle
But nature gives and takes.
Communities band together
Through the good and the bad
As happens all around the World.
‘No man is an island’
Said the ancient bard
Applying as it does to this island continent.
Brian Matthews 30-3-25
Then came one of my too regular hiatus, followed by some poems in May for important events and people.
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is here
Let’s all give a cheer
For those who work away
Each and every day.
For you Barbara, this I say
In the month of May
That each day that goes by
For you I’ll always try
To pick up after myself
And put things on their shelf
And vacuum here and there
To pick up doggy hair.
But being a Mother is much more
Than each and every chore
That daily you do complete
Such an amazing feat.
For the major things that score
Those things that make us sure
How much we all have a space
In your home our favourite place.
Whether it be a favourite meal
Or time together that we steal
We know that you will be there
With lots of love we all can share.
Brian Matthews 10-5-25
For Mother’s Day on 11/5
For Ashlea
A lovely Mum you are
In the home or in the car
So positive with each little one
Full of life and so much fun.
I love to see you interact
With your kids and that’s a fact
The joy that each does show
In the light of your loving glow.
And as the kids grow up
Drinking from your loving cup
Strength of character will develop
As your love does them envelop.
Brian Matthews 10-5-25
For Mother’s Day 2025
Alexa turns 15
Another birthday comes around
There’s more in life to be found
And explore away I’m sure you will
Avoiding things that give you nil.
For that in life is a major task
Seeking what you can is all you ask
Avoiding things that bring no joy
Seeking out each brand new toy.
What makes you happy can be found
In the sky and on the ground
The searching itself quite a job
Before, on the item, you do lob.
For each of us find different things
As life at us experience flings
I’m sure that you will find your place
Special things to fill your space.
Brian Matthews 12-5-25
For my granddaughter Alexa’s 15th birthday on 16-5-25
Followed in June by poems related to the weather and places:
Life’s Cycles
A rainy day at last
Nice for a change
The Earth so thirsty
The rivers stagnant pools.
And with the rain comes life
The slopes turning green
The birds celebrate
Then shelter from the downpour.
Thus it is in life
Drought followed by rain
Dry soil absorbing the moisture
The runoff swelling streams.
Insect and animal abodes devastated
But soon to be built again
Farmers counting the cost
Emergency services cleaning the mess.
And life goes on
Assured that nothing stays the same
Cycles are important
Changes always needed.
Brian Matthews 6-6-25
A Peaceful Place
A peaceful place
Cold at this time
Nearby mountains
Shrouded in snow.
Morning mist lingering
Then banished by the sun
But only briefly
As the clouds roll in.
A lovely caravan park
Green grass plentiful
Tall trees throughout
On the bend of a river.
A tiny town, Freeburgh
Just over 100 people
Not far from Bright
A gateway to the High Country.
A pleasant area to spend time
Dogs in their coats
Not impressed at all
Humans so strange sometimes.
Brian Matthews 10-6-25
A visit to my Uncle Peter’s at Coolah New South Wales (home of the Black Stump) where I took a photo of a couple of friends getting together:
Then a poem about the amount of daylight:
The Shortest Day
The shortest day is here again
This one with a smatter of rain
In a warmer climate we are
After many days in the car.
Such a broad country in which we live
The weather does different things give
But wherever we might be
Assured of more light we soon will see.
As our globe around the sun does spin
Each day a little more light we’ll win
Before we know it the days will be long
Filled with heat and many birds’ song.
As life goes on around the Earth
Bringing joy, crises and many a birth
We think of those we love so much
They warm our hearts, a gentle touch.
Brian Matthews 21-6-25
And this post concludes with a poem for my grandson Archie and some random photos I took while strolling the streets of Yeronga, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland Australia
The Road Ahead
As each year goes by
We all have to try
To do our best in this world
And toward adulthood you are hurled.
So many choices you may make
As these steps you do take
Not all of these will be the best
As life presents each test.
But even when one is failed
The road ahead will be paved
With successes that bring you to
Places that you never knew.
So much to learn and do
Loves, hopes and wishes too
Stepping through life with head held high
Ensuring that your goals are nigh.
Please be the best person that you can
And grow into a loving man
Respecting family and friends
For any missteps making amends.
Brian Matthews 23-6-25
Prompted by the approach of grandson Archie’s 15th birthday on July 10
Brian’s Reflections 