Staying with Uncle Fred for a while. Just relaxing really. Lots of reading, walking, Rummikub, conversations, eating and drinking (moderately of course).
Not a lot of poetry written since my last update but I wrote this one while watching my Grandnephew, Lincoln, play in an Aussie Rules footy match. Of course it was wet, cold and rainy (goes with the code I guess) but Linc scored his first goal of the season – Whoo Hoo…
A Footy Game
Watching a footy match Cool and wet Even in Queensland midwinter.
The young men run Kick and jostle Smooth passes and then the pack.
Goals sail through Spectators cheer and shout Car horns beep.
The siren sounds Another quarter gone Players huddled round the coach.
And play resumes The minutes counting down Until that final siren.
One team joyful The other licking their wounds All ready for another day.
A metaphor for life The ups and downs A breather and then try again.
Brian Matthews 29-6-25
A little Haiku appeared while I was walking Basil around Little Mountain near Caloundra QLD
Old dog plods along Sniffing here, there, everywhere - Life is full of smells.
Brian Matthews 2-7-25
And a few photos from Urangan (Hervey Bay, QLD)
Many beautiful resting spots on the Esplanade walking/riding path but watch out for silent e-bikes and scooters moving at roadway speeds
A small B&W bird that allowed me to get close enough with the totally inadequate 5X zoom of an iPhone 12Basil yet again A lovely nearby lagoon – part of Arkarra Lagoons I thinkA nearby typical QLD streetscape
On a sadder note is my final poem for this post, remembering my son Sam on the anniversary of his death…
Pain Recurring
On this day we feel the pain Your loss hits us all again Railing against your awful fate Each time of year on this date.
Remembering your lovely smile The energy shown on every mile That through this life you did tread The joy in life on which you fed.
You live with us every day Thinking of the things you’d say The humour that we all enjoyed As with words you often toyed.
I see you in my mind’s eye As through the cosmos you do fly Your body now long gone But to me it feels so wrong.
While your absence we must accept The idea would be nice to reject So dream of you I always will To keep you in my heart still.
Brian Matthews 3-7-25
Maybe better to finish with a few photos:
Selfie with Linc, Barbara & meBarbara & Uncle Fred playing Rummikubhttps://rummikub.com/
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:
Goondiwindi Sunset
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
Sunset on Mount Hotham (Victoria Australia )
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
It’s in the nature of a holiday that you have more time to reflect, write, and do some navel gazing. For me, that often means writing some poetry and updating my blog. So here we go….
Between Christmas and New Year, after the hub hub of one and before the bedlam of another, my reflections led me here..
Marking Time
It is a strange time of year Christmas gone and the new year near. The bingeing of Christmas over Giving time for the stomach to recover.
Christmas decorations still on display Spread on the couch so many lay A brief heatwave come, now paused Though many a bushfire it caused.
As we ponder what with the new year will come We all hope it will bring some fun. And productivity for all For goods and services we all do call.
A big part of life is the wonder About the future, things we cannot always number Watching youth explore their world As challenges toward them are hurled.
And those who are older do reflect About all those things they did not expect. So much information for all to see But so much about which we disagree.
So, at this time we all can pause And wave goodbye to Santa Claus. Knowing both good and bad will emerge But toward the future we all must surge.
Brian Matthews 27-12-24
I did not feel very motivated to write in January but I did pen this one for a very special occasion..
Our 25th Wedding Anniversary
Another anniversary soon here Our 25th it is this year 30 years now we’re together Through both fine and stormy weather.
This anniversary is called the Silver Though not a precious metal you prefer So another choice I make Hopefully to this you’ll take.
To celebrate the years shared To each other our souls bared Thankful you are in my life So happy to call you my wife.
And while we will have our ups and downs Let’s hope there aren’t too many frowns For you I do dearly love And all others put above.
Forgive me please for each mistake That in this life I do make For a better person I have been Ever since you became my Queen.
Brian Matthews 22-1-25 For our anniversary on the 29th
And then poems for two of my grandsons, Toby and Jayden, who probably preferred that I devote my time to other endeavours..
A birthday poem for Toby
Another birthday soon here I hope this one brings you cheer Moving through life so fast Remembering the happiness past.
Looking forward to what will be Advancing age making you free Of all the limits that childhood surround Interests and activities newly found.
One thing you can know for a fact Is that your family will have your back Helping you to chart a way To make the most of every day.
So, for your birthday we wish you the best As the winds of a new year you do test Looking toward a day of fun As into the future you do run.
Happy 14th birthday Toby 15-2-25 Brian Matthews 10-2-25
A birthday poem for Jayden
Turning sixteen What does that mean? A step closer to an adult world Into which you’ll be inevitably hurled.
But for a while you can lean back And take a more leisurely tack Enjoy your birthday while you can For, too soon, you’ll be a man.
I hope your birthday is cool Even if you have to suffer school And that the year to come Brings you joy and lots of fun….
Brian Matthews 23-2-25 For Jayden’s birthday on 25-2-25
Another break in writing and then who should inspire me to write but Dickhead Donald..
A modern circus
A madman in power Not uncommon in our World But that he leads the US That jars for many.
A special speech to Congress Treated like a media event Arrogance from his mouth Clearly inflated by the event.
Republicans standing clapping Democrats sitting silently “America is back” he spouts “A golden age for America has come”.
Repeating his voting successes Over and over and over Smug smiles his response To a naysayer in the audience.
The outspoken senator removed The message made clear He’ll steamroller over objections And the circus continues.
Diversity, equity and inclusion A huge target for this man So many hard fought gains Swept away by his words.
So many riding his wave Entranced by his rhetoric Redolent of Hitler’s rise Fodder for the future.
Tough times ahead for the World A major power in the hands of an entertainer Populist changes highlighted Former progress negated.
Brian Matthews 5-3-25
A few days later in a quiet period I thought to myself, “find inspiration in something that is positive!”, and so I did..
Surrounded by Sensation
The warmth of the day Wraps around me as I read Comfortable sitting in the shade An ebook open in my hands.
The bird life quieter in the midday heat The warm breeze caressing the trees Distant traffic noises ebb and flow Leaves and flowers rippling to and fro.
A butterfly, no two, dance around A rainbow lorikeet relaxes on a shady bough A door slams in the wind nearby Serenity surrounds us all.
If only we watch and listen The gentle rustle of leaves Sunlight reflecting on the birdbath Nature’s comforting gestures.
Brian Matthews 7-3-25
And two weeks later, 800 or so kilometres from home, I continued this theme (mainly) and have included a snippet of what I heard..
The Bell Birds Sing
Bell Bird melody surrounds me Interrupted by the squwarks Of sulphur crested cockatoos And air brakes of a truck nearby.
A lovely campground here in Yea Spitting distance from Melbourne On a small river that flows Unusual for those from the Dry.
It rained for much of the night A soothing, constant pitter patter Rain that quenches the land Not flooding and devastation.
A type of rain common in Victoria Much wetter than South Australia Most of which is dessert Without irrigation from the Murray.
The Australian population clinging Mainly near the coasts Where rain is more forthcoming Desalination topping up reservoirs.
Yet in the North and East Deluges are frequent Houses washed away People and animals stranded.
A land of contradictions But not surprising really When reminded of its vastness The largest island a continent.
Though down below An island state does hang With a climate of its own Ignoring the mainland woes.
And decisions for the country Made mainly in the East Much to the chagrin Of the West, South and North.
But all of this is swept away By the Bell Birds and cockatoos Peaceful, pleasant surroundings A salve to my soul.
Brian Matthews 21-3-25
When saving the audio file of the sounds around me to my Notes, it picked up an Haiku I had written some time back..
A range of bird sounds Some so sweet and endearing- While others grate our ears.
And a sample of the sounds that surrounded me today..
The year draws to an end What messages to others should we send? What 2024 to us has brought And what in 2025 is sought.
Another year ends as it must Let’s hope the next we can trust To bring more equity to all That those with too much hear the call.
From those who have too little to eat Or no roof over their heads to take a seat So many who from hatred and violence hide Let’s stand by them and take their side.
The billionaires continue to count their money Oblivious to those who can afford no honey It baffles many to see the heinous greed When so many others are in dire need.
Most of us have a little that we can spare For others who have nothing to share So, while most cannot provide a laden table Let’s aim to offer whatever we are able.
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
On the left a back shot of one and on the right all fourA better shot I got a little later
Continuing our campervan holiday interstate, though staying with a friend and then family for the past two weeks, visiting the world of my younger brother Ian, who passed away three years ago.
But first a poem in memory of my son, Sam’s, death two years ago on the 3rd of July…
Pain revisited
That anniversary looms again The day we lost you soon to begin Memories of the pain we all felt And still feel at the blow that was dealt.
We know that we all must die And that, for us, others will cry But when one from this Earth is rent When not enough time here has been spent.
We rail against the pain Of injustice to keep us sane For if the emotions we push away From our love of the person we do stray.
His children continue to grow And in their smiles we see his glow Remembering all that us he gifted Might, just a little, leave our spirits lifted.
Brian Matthews 2-7-24
Then a lighter one to celebrate my grandson, Archie’s, fourteenth birthday…
Some birthday thoughts
Archie will now be fourteen What can that mean?
Leaving childhood behind I guess that you won’t mind.
I wonder what plans there are Or is it enough to reach for a star?
The unknowns in life abound Until a likely path is found.
Wherever in life you stray In Pop and BaBa’s hearts you’ll stay.
We hope that life will bring you joy As with different experiences you toy.
Remember that we are always here To bring you comfort and lots of cheer.
Brian Matthews 2-7-24 (for Archie’s birthday on 10-7-24)
Followed by one written at the home of the ‘Black Stump’, Coolah, New South Wales…
Another Place
A welcoming spot here With a flowing creek near Full clouds billowing above Occasional sunlight sending its love.
Rural Australia has so much to offer Encouraging me another poem to proffer Staying now in the home of the black stump Coolah, a little town, on the map barely a bump.
Catching up with family we are Difficult to do when they live afar But important to connect when possible Escaping from our everyday bubble.
Life can be fine staying at home Though it’s also good to our country roam And visit places never before seen Giving our senses a bit of a clean.
Brian Matthews 4-7-24
And a celebration of getting into the warmer climate of Queensland…
Into the Warm
Sunshine at last The colder weather passed Well into Queensland now The cold we disavow.
It will be nice for a time To enjoy this warmer clime As friends and family we see In shorts I can finally be.
And as further north we go The country will itself us it show And I’m sure the odd beer there’ll be As from the cold we’re finally free.
Brian Matthews 10-7-24
Finally, two poems reflecting on the loss of my brother…
His Light Still Shines
It’s three years today Since you, so suddenly, went away Your smile no longer there Your laugh without a care.
Missed by all of us Not that you’d want such a fuss Such a relaxed approach to life Avoiding all possible strife.
Spreading joy wherever you went With everyone who time you spent The master of the tall, tall tale Bringing a laugh without a fail.
But when I need you there you are Walking down the street or in the car Your life wisdom ever clear Even though you are no longer here.
I miss you brother that’s for sure As through this life I do tour Knowing that while you have gone Where you walked the sun still shone.
Brian Matthews 17-7-24
He Hovers Still
A strange time emotionally Revisiting his past rationally But the thoughts and images poke through Bringing with them a sense of feelings askew.
As I sit on the well worn chair I think he hovers just over there On me I detect his broad smile His laughter lingering a while.
Though very different we were Our similarities can others stir And in their eyes I sometimes see The love that there will always be.
And so another year has passed It seems to have gone so fast And now your 14th birthday does appear Marking yet a further year.
Hope you have a lovely day That’s really all I can say And with friends you have a lot of fun A joyful day in the sun.
Each year new experiences abound Both positives and negatives will be found Your family, though, will be there Even when you despair.
I do hope the year brings joy At least that it does little to annoy And that you can smile As you travel each and every mile.
Brian Matthews 13-5-24
A short one for my eldest son
Karl’s Birthday
Another birthday comes around Hopefully, with joy to be found.
And another year rears its head Mortgage and mouths to be fed.
And, thus, goes every day Seeking what we cannot say.
But one thing is always sure Love is what will always endure.
And so it is for you and me And all along the family tree.
Universal is the need Relationships to carefully feed.
Brian Matthews 22-5-24
A weather poem…
And So It Goes
And so the clock ticks on Clear skies replaced by gloom Some rain but not enough Temperature lingers in single digits.
And the days are so short And soon shorter still As to the winter solstice we march The cycle unstoppable.
Wherever we live The weather follows closely Reminding us of time passing A conversation piece for all.
Hoping for good winter rains To fill the dams and reservoirs And saturate the land Recharging the Earth’s batteries.
But the lack of autumn downpours Does not presage well We all know another drought will come And with this comes the fires.
Humankind clings to the ground As weather events become more extreme And wars rage around the globe Seeking a peaceful place to stand.
And cycles come and go Ignoring individuals and their travails Though impact we all do Through our waste and neglect.
And people lose their homes Through natural disasters Or corporate and individual greed Huddling together for safety.
Some cling strongly to their faith Others decry the usurpers And others keep their heads down Hoping for the tempests to pass.
All at the mercy of nature A fickle creature at best But the source of all we have The good, the bad, and everything in between.
Brian Matthews 4-6-24
A grumpy old man poem
Exploring A Mood
Lugubrious, such a strange word Looking or sounding sad or dismal Applied to some breeds of dogs Or the elderly withering in their dotage.
Resonating with me now As that is how I feel Unmotivated and unimpressed by all Feeling like I’m sinking in mire.
Contributing little to conversations Uninspired by attempts at humour What a strange creature I’ve become Failing to acknowledge the joy in life.
For all seems so dark and glum A world full of war and tragedy So many people warped by fate Or the violence that seems so prevalent.
Waiting for the light to return Knowing that I will not always feel so Wanting what I am not sure Hoping for the energy to return.
We all have days like this For some they come in waves For others when chance intervenes Bringing events that would fell anyone.
Wallowing does little good And brings little company People happy to listen But unwilling to be consumed.
And so it should be We all can change our lives Even if only in small ways A smile bequeathed to a stranger.
Brian Matthews 7-6-24
And finally, for this post, one about a holiday
Halls Gap
A lovely place here Surrounded by nature Kangaroos abound Emus stroll around.
The birds are relaxed Familiar with tourist attention They light nearby Looking for a stray fry.
A stroll down the path Looking left and right The kookaburras take it all in Did those scraps miss the bin?
The sulphur crested cockatoos strut The crimson rosellas display their plumage The little dogs sniff around Hoping something they’ll find on the ground.
And so this holiday starts Weeks of little to do Apart from whatever does appeal As from the humdrum of life we steal.
Brian’s Reflections 