Author: brianedmatthews

I’m a retired psychologist and academic who enjoys the outdoors (sailing a 4.3 metre catamaran, long walks in the country and on our nearby beach, gardening), reading, writing poems and, at times, stories. I’m married, have five children and 10 grandchildren and am involved in a number of community groups (sailing club, choir, Show Society and others)

Differences

Different but still similar

Speaks loudly of our race

Decrying experience of the other

Knowing that ours is the truth.

Discrimination an important element

A strength of our cognition

Serving purposes that allow

Clear identification and problem solving.

But it becomes a sharp axe

When applied to others

Cutting their ways to pieces

Abrogating responsibility for care.

It takes integrity to support

The right to express a view

That challenges your sense of self

Not fitting within your comfort zone.

Worse still the judgement

You are not worthy if this you believe

Regardless of whether it impacts

On others and their lives.

‘Live and let live’

Seems a very sound rule

But one so difficult to apply

When your truth is so apparent.

Retreat so many do

From the conflict entailed

Avoiding the pain of action

Revelling in the hazy mist.

Others step forward with zeal

Fighting the good fight

Sure that their view will prevail

And their goals will be realised.

Fence sitters are often decried

How can both sides be seen?

Everything must be black and white

Gray a colour not embraced.

And here I sit on that fence

Watching the turmoil evolve

Falling on one side or the other

As the fence violently shakes.

Not a more evolved person

Just an interested observer

In the slapstick of life

The battles never ending.

For far at the soldiers’ rear

Generals, politicians, media moguls,

Religious leaders, and others with motives apparent

Point the weapons and pull the triggers.

So depressing at times

And then a kind act of one to another

Can make the heart truly sing

Restoring faith in a flawed species.

Brian Matthews

29/12/2020

Moods

Moods shift and change

Regardless of what life may bring

Of course, internal and external are connected

But one day brings pain and others sing.

Feelings of purpose can us aid

That things have been accomplished

But some days no outcomes help

The joy and excitement demolished.

Taking ups and downs in our stride

A solution so apparent and strong

Can be so hard to grapple with

When for peace and happiness you long.

The platitudes commonly rolled out

Think of others living in despair

With not enough to eat, no place to sleep

So many people with real issues to repair.

Accepting what is there

Knowing that ups need downs

One day a visage that beams

Another, covered in frowns.

We never know what is next

But one thing can be predicted

That life cannot bring endless peace

And moods so often need to be shifted.

Brian Matthews

5/12/2020

Sam’s 37

The birthday of a son,
No longer a child
And not so for many years,
Brings cause to pause
Reflect on what he’s become.

A husband and father
Of two chips off the block
As are all little ones
Drawing on genetic memory
Aided by the experiences you’d rather.

The curiosity of the child
Morphing into enthusiasm of youth
Facing the challenges of the day
Exploring and contributing
Soon leaving behind the wild.

A child never leaves the heart
Of a parent invested in
The happiness of their offspring
Knowing not what the future brings
But sure that you will be apart.

Life cannot be lived through children
Or grandchildren for a fact
Evolve and develop they surely will
Moving in directions unseen
With motivation from you hidden.

Not because they rail against you,
Though that can be a thing
But more because they need agency,
Different hills and valleys to explore,
So they can have their novel view.

Brian Matthews
21/11/2020