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)
We had a cold, windy, and wet time in WA, but this was the story for most of the Southern part of Australia at this time. I read a lot but had big gaps in my poetry writing. On the day we left Albany I wrote this:
The Cold
The winter solstice just passed But no sign of warmth yet Nor is it likely for a while So wet and dreary here.
As it is in the South of Australia Tasmania, Victoria, SA & WA Which is why so many head North During this wintry time of the year.
But, no, we go West & further South To see the sights in WA Endless beaches & rugged coast Winds and rain from the Antarctic.
Long, long roads to explore Towns and cities not seen before Meeting and chatting with others Australia’s the same but different everywhere.
Brian Matthews, 24-6-23
And on a one night stop at a place called Lake Grace, a quite remote little town:
The Roads More Travelled
The long, long roads Disappearing in the distance The hours between stops A big, unforgiving country.
It seems hordes are on the road The rigs varying greatly From sturdy, smaller camper trailers To monolithic vans with car in tow.
Families travelling here and there Gray nomads working through their list For some their only living option For most a break from their routine.
It is funny that we surround ourselves With luxuries unknown to others Then choose to live for a time In quarters sparse and with comforts few.
Maybe for something different Or to engage in a favoured activity Still, a way to remind ourselves Of the comforts we usually enjoy.
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.
Most parts of Australia are blessed with bird song, though our raucous parrots are not favoured by many. But, two common bird sounds are the warbling (I prefer to call it carolling) of magpies and the ‘hoo ho’ of crested pigeons (which I mistakenly called ‘top knots’ until recently).
Anyway, here are a couple of bird related Haiku that appeared this morning…
Magpies
The magpies carol A beautiful sound it is – An Ozzie icon
Brian Matthews, 15-2-23
Crested Pigeons
The hoo hoo they make It’s a mournful sound to sing – But ‘who cares?’ they say
Had a phone call today to advise that I would not be doing readings on Happy FM community radio anymore. The Presenter of the segment has fallen out with management and has stepped away from her regular commitments for what sounded to me like very good reasons. So I guess my main avenue for distributing my writing, poetry and thoughts will be this blog.
So, a few poems that I have written recently, posted from Maryborough Victoria (Australia). Apparently, Mark Twain visited here once and described the place as a town attached to a railway station as during the Gold Rush and after, this rural city was the transport hub for this part of the world. The railway station has been maintained and is a beautiful piece of architecture (see photo below)
I did have a fair break in writing for most of January this year, but felt I had to write a poem to celebrate my 23rd wedding anniversary with my beloved Barbara.
Anniversary 2023
A cloudy day dawns The heat hiding again A perfect meal yesterday To celebrate our wedding anniversary.
23 years married today 28 since we shared our lives So much water under the bridge More than our share of damaging debris.
Good times aplenty there’ve been Laughter with friends and family A home made together A community embraced and shared.
There will be good times this year Fun with those we love Hugs and kisses given and received Travel to places unseen.
Life has so many unknowns I’m glad I face these with you Knowing you have my back And a future we can plan together.
What is love? A question often touted Trusting another at its core As I do with you.
Another year we will have Learning more about each other A journey never quite complete But love you I do and always will.
Brian Matthews, 29/1/23
While camping in Corowa (New South Wales) exploring the interesting and recently flooded border river district with the River Murray separating the states of NSW and Victoria, I wrote this poem
Rambling Thoughts
A lovely warm day A long way from home But the corellas still here Many different birds though.
The Murray so flooded Signs of high water in the fences Roads so damaged Green grass out of season.
And the mozzies bite Breeding away in the waters Ready for their next offering Another bunch of mammals.
Likely a long time now Before the next big flood Though hard to tell What the future will bring.
40 years since the Murray swelled To the levels recently seen And so much drought since Who knows what will next appear.
Our climate under siege Consumerism so rife Poison pumped into the air And we all share the blame.
One day our descendants will ask Why were we so wasteful? How could we not see The consequences of our actions?
Brian Matthews, 6-2-23
And a few days later I wrote this one:
The birds
The birds in the morning Harsh cries of the parrots Carroling of the magpies Sweet songs of smaller birds.
The morning so still Dew still on the ground Before the rising sun Melts it all away.
A very warm day ahead But still cool now Kookaburra laughs resound As I drink my coffee.
A day of touristing ahead To places not seen before The birds doing their thing While we do ours.
Brian Matthews, 8-2-23
And two days later after a phone call to a friend, this poem appeared:
Supporting Others
I wish I could cheer up My dear friend far away Words just not cutting it When feeling so unwell.
Maybe if I remind him Of the good times past Or happy events still to come But all seems trite at times like this.
When the body does not work In the ways it should When pain or discomfort dominate Leaving little to enjoy.
Company or conversation May help to ease the soul Though sometimes not Pretending becomes burdensome.
Someone caring may help Though not if this becomes An exercise in making them feel better As it so often does.
Being supportive has some rules Listening rather than telling Opening to the feelings Avoiding unhelpful comparisons.
Worrying about loved ones A part of being human Knowing that all is never Smooth sailing through life.
Feeling helpless a part of this Since magic wands are absent No easy fix for many things Illness and ageing always lurking.
But one thing is certain That we all need our oases Safe places where we’re not judged People who respect our wishes.
Brian Matthews, 10-2-23
And then, watching a man in the distance mowing his lawn, another Haiku appeared:
The man mows his lawn Early, the hot day to come – The hat a big help
As there is a break in my regular poetry readings, I thought I’d put up a few things that I have written with a bit of commentary.
Christmas was a tough time for my family; the first since we lost our beloved Sam, and some of us (including me) got a dose of Covid-19 as an added feature. The first time for me, though most others have had it before. I certainly found it a levelling experience, not as bad as some flus I’ve had in the past but the aching and lack of motivation were debilitating for a time. Not too many respiratory symptoms for me, though a croaky throat still persists.
So, I wrote the following poem about Covid for Christmas:
An Unwelcome Present
So, Covid for Christmas No joy in that The sniffles and aches Coughing and low energy.
Day 4 now and still The symptoms persist Though managed by pills And enforced rest.
I’ve had worse in the past Or so I think But probably best not to compare Until it’s run its course.
The strangest feeling yet Like a good kick to the crotch Part of the aches and pains All effects very individual.
My wife coughing more And losing her taste While I just doze And self dose for the headaches.
But, marginally better today And hopefully all good soon Thankful that not badly affected As so many have been.
Brian Matthews, 30-12-22
A few days after Christmas we finally had some very hot weather and I had to write about this as the strange weather patterns in Australia persist. In line with recent patterns, summer then disappeared again but has made a few comebacks since and I even got slightly sunburnt yesterday after a few hours at the local beach and inadequate sunscreen application. This doesn’t happen to me often as I have olive skin from some of my Maltese ancestors and I usually carefully apply lots of sunscreen and keep out of the sun at the worst times. But, I usually don’t sit on the beach for hours without a tshirt and so the back, stomach, and shoulders are smarting a little.
Summer’s Finally Here
The temperature in the high 30s The heat creeping in everywhere Not until after Christmas But arriving at last.
Young grandkids on a bouncy castle Able to turn the water on finally Exhausting themselves bouncing Sliding and splashing, of course.
Energy gone after a few hours As the peak of the heat reached Watermelon and drinks not enough The cool of the house sought.
After some lunch, a nap/rest The batteries will recharge The outside sought again And so the cycle goes.
Brian Matthews, 27-12-22
And, as seems to happen with me recently, I had a brief Haiku spurt. one prompted by my 6 year old grandson Jack’s fixation on a new device he received recently and the second from the observation of our old dog, Riley’s, clear disdain for the high level activity of our grandchildren:
Concentration deep Staring at the device’s screen – But still shares his score
The old small dog rests Watching the children askance – When will peace return
I think Riley’s expression and body language says it all
A New Old Dog
Brian’s Reflections 