Mother Nature 

A burst of very hot weather 
Though Autumn has come
Then the temperature recalibrates. 

From 40 plus into the teens
And now with a smattering of rain
The land breathes a sigh of relief.

The weather always a mystery 
No matter the season
And, it seems, more so of late. 

Always a talking point 
Boring the young
Until they come of age. 

A shared experience for all
No matter where we are
Nor our wealth and status. 

Though the wealthy can enjoy
The respite they can afford 
The less well off more at risk. 

Mother nature rules the roost 
Lays down the limits
And we all must conform. 

Brian Matthews 14-3-24

Todd’s 44

Another day it did come
The birthday of my second son
Someone often admired by others
Avoiding things that joy smothers. 

He came into this world full of it
An energy that creates a bullet
To shoot down that he doesn’t favour 
So that life he can truly savour. 

Admired for the way he grasps
The pleasure in the simple tasks
And as he surveys all around 
Manages to find the firmest ground. 

I’m sure he has some dark, dark nights 
Full of fear and dreadful sights 
For nobody lives without a concern
And things for which our heart does yearn. 

But through it all he has clambered 
Up Kilimanjaro he has meandered
Taking in sights most won’t see
Getting to where he wants to be. 

His life will have the ups and downs
Events that cause so many frowns
But through the lens that he does look
Life becomes an open book. 

And to read this he won’t refrain
Daring each challenge to his brain
Embracing those for whom he cares
Shoulder to the loads he bears. 

Brian Matthews 19-3-24

Discovery 

Take in the joy and light
Leave behind the dark of night
Embrace again the newborn day
Or else in bed you’ll stay. 

A mantra helps me I find
When about life I don’t feel kind
For surrounding us here and there
Is so much love for us to share. 

The little dog by its owner trots
Checking out the usual spots 
Such excitement he does show
Exploring what I do not know. 

But time he does always find 
To check the smells, exercise his mind
And lessons teach his owner now
To wipe away that troubled brow. 

Would that we all could learn from a pet
How to avoid life’s troubled net
Looking wide eyed all around 
Not just noticing the bumpy ground. 

And rejoice in all that we can enjoy
Not slavering after that next toy
Living life to its full
Ignoring all the cock and bull. 

Brian Matthews 19-3-24

R.I.P. Liz

It feels so strange
When those known for years
Pass away, just like that. 

People who have occupied space
In our lives and thoughts 
But then are no more. 

The ultimate end for us all
That we all know
Yet the blow is always fresh. 

Striking through a phone call
Or a brief message
A reminder that mortality stalks us all. 

We grieve for those left behind
Knowing that the deeper the love
The more traumatising the grief. 

Remembering the person’s smile 
Her distinctive laugh
The way she carried herself. 

Brought together by chance
A student then a friend
And ultimately a colleague. 

A person with a good heart
A deep, deep warmth
And joy in all she saw. 

Many will miss you
Aghast at the news
Living on in their memories. 

Rest In peace, dear Liz
For you have made your mark
Blessed the souls of so many. 

Brian Matthews 8-3-24

A tidy little town

A tidy little town, Minlaton,
Main street with shops
Pub and Post Office included 
Even still has a Bank SA.

Though talk of it going soon
Large vacant shopfronts 
Amongst a range of thriving businesses 
Possibly casualties of the pandemic. 

But, most country areas struggle 
Cost of living increasing 
Jobs replaced by machinery
Young people dreaming of the cities. 

Such a Mecca these places would be
For so many people displaced 
Running from war or famine
Seeking a safe place to be. 

More population creating work
Providing destinations for city folk
Jaded by the density of their living
Seeking fresh air and space to breathe it. 

But even with more liberal governance 
The parochialism and fear abide
Treating people with little compassion 
Setting hurdles too high to scale. 

Forgetting that most came here
To escape the shackles of elsewhere 
Creating an enviable lifestyle 
Trampling on those already here. 

Lacking is both memory and vision
The fact the land was wrested from others
The possibilities for more equity ahead 
A future in which all could win. 

But profit seems supreme
Trampling on social capital 
Ignoring synergies that could exist
Depth in developing community bonds. 

The statue of a local hero
Watches over all around 
People shop, drink coffee and mingle
Life goes on and children laugh. 

Skirting all the existential questions 
Highlighting the momentum of living 
Capturing each and everyone 
Propelling us into the future unbidden. 

Brian Matthews 4-3-24

Variability 

Thunderstorm activity nearby
The little dog paces
Such worry in his face. 

Wrapping his lead around all
Moving back and forth 
Panting as though he’s run a mile. 

Rain falls not far away
Beyond the nearby ranges
But none of that here. 

The weather so variable 
In this very dry country
Rarely any certainty. 

A harsh place for those on the land
Not surprising that they diversify 
Part of their place becomes a campsite. 

Holiday makers from the city 
Enjoying the bush and the wildlife 
Amongst the huge old gums. 

Then the rain makes it here
The petrichor surrounds us
All breathe a sigh of relief. 

Brian Matthews 1-3-24

A humorous mistake prompted this one…

Sayings 

Oh, made that mistake 
Pinch & Punch first day of the month 
And it’s February 29th. 

A funny little ritual 
Like many others 
Sayings we use to fill a void. 

It’s a hard life but someone has to do it!
Hot enough for ya?
A few that bounce around the park. 

Social niceties important 
All part of emotional intelligence 
Smoothing our way through life. 

Not wanting to appear abrupt 
Or worse indifferent 
Ignoring is a powerful weapon. 

Early impressions are important 
At times, hard to overcome 
And only with much effort. 

So most of us learn 
To put our best foot forward 
Obscuring our tainted side. 

This, of course, we all have
The only recipe for ongoing success 
Practising kindness ‘ere we can. 

Brian Matthews 29-2-24

My poetry has faltered in recent times but trips away provide grist for the mill:

Holiday Spot 

A chorus of galahs
Fill the skies with cries
And then all is calm
Bar the odd squawk. 

A pleasant breeze blows
Diminishing the heat a little 
All quiet except the sounds
Of nature all around us. 

Dogs snapping at flies 
It’s not Australia without them
Every pleasant spot
Has its downside. 

Time to relax
And leave behind 
All the little worries 
Most of the minor chores. 

Brian Matthews 27-2-24

Spear Creek 

Summer’s almost over
Creeping toward March
But nobody told Spear Creek SA. 

Over 40 at times yesterday 
Didn’t get below 30 overnight 
And today hotter still. 

At the bottom of the Flinders Ranges
Usually dry and warmer than down South
Until the skies intermittently open. 

Long spells between the deluges
Officially desert country really 
Wet weather both wanted and feared. 

The birds chatter cheerfully 
Dogs and people lounge in the shade
Activity kept to a minimum. 

Such a beautiful setting 
Huge gum trees crowded around
Hinting at the water source below. 

Hills crouching behind the campsite 
Looking toward the distant sea
Remembering when it covered all around. 

Brian Matthews 28-2-24

Many people struggle with depression, something almost everyone experiences from time to time, but for some it can become a heavy and constant burden.

Thinking about this in the context of people I love and my own experience, I wrote a poem. I am fine, by the way, but my heart grieves for those who aren’t

Depression 

Depression, a fearful beast
That takes away the joy in life
And makes you feel your least. 

No simple solution does exist
For each and everyone 
As our lives it does twist. 

For some a feeling that does fade
With each passing day
Overcome by little steps made. 

But others struggle mightily to keep it at bay
And no matter the turns they take
The illness makes them pay. 

As one of these I struggled long
With one strategy, then another 
Finally choosing a little tablet to help make me strong. 

Other things are needed too
Choices to engage with life
Friends and family to help you through. 

But there is no shame in this
A little orange tablet for some
To help recapture life’s bliss. 

And get out there resolutely 
To see what you may find
All those who love you absolutely. 

And the joy in each smile
And the laughter that you hear
Helping you to go that extra mile. 

Brian Matthews 15-1-24

And a little poem I found that resonated with me:

A hot day

The weather finally warms
Or so it seems 
Though forecasts still mild. 

Knowing as we all do
A week is a long time
In politics and foretelling climate. 

But, for now, we seek shade
In a manner very familiar 
To Australians across the land. 

For when the sun shines 
In our big broad country 
Cover is the only solution. 

A lesson learned early
By many fair skinned forebears 
Then forgotten by many. 

Now part of the culture 
‘Slip, slop, slap’ the jingle goes 
And, mainly, people heed this. 

But, still, it is so easy
To underestimate the power
Of the orb we rotate around. 

Newcomers at most risk
Though all can fall foul
Of the blazing life giver. 

Brian Matthews 12-1-24

But, by the time I posted the first poem, the weather cooled and the wind picked up, ruining a potential sailing day.

A change 

Oh damn,
The temperature has dropped,
The fresh wind blows
No sailing again!

A mild day if inside 
Or, at least, in a sheltered place 
So, washing the dogs I did
Such an explosion of hair. 

Cleaning up the mess
I ponder on the nearby dog wash 
Maybe a better idea
Than the bathroom battle zone. 

And they have a drier, I’m told
More effective than our puny job
Meant for less salubrious hair
Sported by puny humans. 

Ah well, the dogs glare at me
Yet again their torturer
A treat does help
Maybe I’m not so bad after all. 

Hopefully, the weather Gods
Will smile on us next week,
Providing usable breezes
With a little sun to warm our souls. 

Thus it is for sailors 
Goldilocks weather sought after
Knowing that this is so rare
On days when we can sail. 

But hope springs eternal 
In the breasts of old ones
Remembering the lovely days
Cruising amongst the dolphins. 

Brian Matthews 14-1-24

Cycles 

Such heavy rain
For our dry state
And then the downpour ceases. 

Sun shining again 
The birds revel in the change
Insects and other things to forage. 

Life is about cycles 
Some are very dour
Others unrepentantly pleasant. 

And we wait to see
What the next wave might be
Repetition the common theme. 

Brian Matthews 7-1-24

First a birthday poem for my youngest son…

Ben’s 38

38 years since you were born
As with all
From a womb you were torn. 

A feisty child from the start
Weaving your way in
To many a heart. 

Life for you has been up and down
And too often 
You wear a frown. 

A sensitive soul I have found
Too often in life
Knocked to the ground. 

But deep within I can see
The resources you have 
To set yourself free. 

And I will remain 
A steadfast supporter 
An advocate for all you gain. 

Rolling with the punches life will throw
For with each challenge met,
All will watch you grow. 

Brian Matthews 1-1-24

For Ben’s birthday on 4-1-24

And then some Haiku

Unusual Times

The rain falls again 
Not like our normal summer -
And what comes next?

Brian Matthews 6-1-24

Petrichor 

The rain has just stopped
The streets and land now washed clean -
Such rich smells abound

Brian Matthews 6-1-24

And a poem that, I think, will resonate with many

Guilt 

Such an evil master 
Is guilt when we’ve erred
But to err is only human. 

And guilt a reflection 
Of our empathy for others 
Knowing how our actions hurt. 

But the main pain
Is to ourselves
Regret gnawing at our core. 

But lessons are learned
About the need for change 
Before we are overwhelmed. 

Steps taken in calm times
Inoculating against the fever
Of emotions spilling over. 

Knowing that there are those
Who have our backs
And can see past the troubled waters. 

Brian Matthews 6-1-24