I set aside the dystopian novel I’m reading and gaze through the window glass for external sustenance. An immigrant turtledove, all fluid twitching …
Turtledove wisdom
My Birthday Poem
Tried to write a poem for my birthday and was surprised by what happened, but I kinda liked it 😀

A friend in Another Place
Don’t we all think others are one course’ and it’s only us who’ve lost it?
Other people always seem on course,
Full Ahead to somewhere on the Sea of Life.
I am forever losing the compass
and forgetting how to drop anchor,
permanently adrift in an Other Place.
Occasionally I see harbour lights beckon
but their beams wax and wane in the fog of novelty.
Besides,
I’ve decided,
they’re probably home to the Pirates,
the Pirates of Love.
I am better off out here alone,
amidst the rocks and icebergs and whirlpools.
But I still need essential supplies
and I have nothing to trade,
except for some shells which,
when placed against the ear,
whisper cryptic messages
from an Other Place,
just in case
other people
are in an Other Place
too.
A poem about ‘those days’

Old Men Cry Easily
A song in this vein
Made me think
It is true old men
Wear their hearts on sleeves.
So many regrets
About opportunities missed
Loves sadly lost
Communication so incomplete.
Women on the other hand
Share so much of themselves
Letting others know
About feelings so deep.
Wondering why it is
That men struggle so much
When all they need to do
Is say what they think.
Or more of what they feel
So early this quashed
By those unwilling to acknowledge
The depths that exist.
For men have places
Unseen so often
Faces rarely shown
Ideas that might resonate.
15/8/2020
The Waiting
A vigil of sorts
Waiting for the operation
Trying to reassure
Her thirst unrelenting.
As blood sugar level drops
Confusion more evident
Drifting in and out
Of unsettled sleep.
The hands crocheting
A task no longer possible
Searching for a scissors
To cut an errant thread.
Times of lucidity
Quickly dissolving away
But still worried about me
Time wasted waiting with her.
The time moves on
Passing for me in a blur
Knowing that this may be
My last time with her.
After eight long hours
The advice is received
No operation today
Emergencies took priority.
Happy at last to drink
And eat a small meal
Me hoping that tomorrow
This will not be repeated.
But the phone call came
Explaining the risks ahead
The operation to begin
Uncertainty begins again.
18/8/2020
Thoughts and a poem
As the time approaches for our Annual Show (which has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns), it is again becoming apparent why we needed to be so cautious. This virus has reared its ugly head in Victoria in a way unimagined, and still denied, by many. It has shown its face in other states and our own with some increase again in restrictions at the time of writing. More evidence is appearing about the devastating after-effects that this virus can have and, while it is particularly vicious for frail elderly people, the ranks are swelling of younger people killed or left with life long health conditions. When a virus crosses from animals to humans our makeup has little resistance. AIDS has demonstrated this to us; a virus for which we still do not have a cure even after so many years since its appearance though, thankfully, treatment has become much more effective. With this background it is up to all of us to ‘keep on keeping on’, but with caution. So it is with the Show Society and many other groups and services in the community, particularly those first line responders for whom we must all be grateful, many of whom have become ill and even died.
I don’t want to minimise the heroic efforts of those in the health and aged care sectors who are facing unprecedented challenges. Good and bad are evident in all communities, though, and this becomes prominent in times of crisis. During bush fires and floods we have those who bravely face the dangers and then those who ignore or even exploit the suffering. This pandemic is no different. Humanity survives due to core values of caring and generosity embraced by the vast majority of people of all cultures and spiritual leanings. Fundamental to this are a plethora of community events that bind us and give us a focus for constructive, sharing activities. Our Show is only one of many events that provide an opportunity for communities to plan and rebuild after crises. From the smallest to the largest, these are all important for they give us the one thing we must never lose, hope.
I started writing this to say that the progress in our infrastructure developments, largely thanks to a major Federal Government Grant, have been proceeding smoothly. I thought that I might acknowledge those who are taking the most active role in the process but realised this was likely to embarrass them and I might leave someone very important out. So, I have decided not to submit what I’ve written to the Yankalilla Regional News, but have written a short poem devoted to all of the quiet achievers out there. Many of us know who they are within our own circles of experience and these people definitely know who they are but probably minimise their contribution. I thank them all and, if you don’t know who they are, when you next attend a public event that you enjoy, spend a moment wondering about this, even enquiring about this, and show that you appreciate these efforts in any way you can.
Quiet Heroes
There are those around
Who in the background work
Embarrassed by acknowledgement
Saying what they do is not unusual.
And this is indeed true
For these folk are rife
Diligent in their roles
Not expecting extra recompense.
But largely faceless they are
Others expecting the things at which they toil
For it has always been so
Damming the water that flows.
Building, creating, repairing, challenging
Focussing on outcomes
Rarely complaining about difficulties
Concentration on the task.
Unsung heroes they are
Providing events we enjoy
Services that we require
Their joy in the doing, regardless of cost.
Brian Matthews
12/8/2020
How NOT to be an academic asshole during Covid.

Close to half of PhD students are contemplating leaving their studies in the next six months. We need to talk about quitting with kindness and …
How NOT to be an academic asshole during Covid.
I found this really powerful, having been through a troubled PhD myself in less troubling times. It would be useful reading for any PhD candidate, supervisor, or friend or family member.
X-rays
You know you need to ‘get a life’ when you’re inspired by a medical procedure 😀😉
X-rays
Sitting almost naked
Undies and backless gown
Reminiscent of hospitalisation
Though the gown is black.
A little chilly as I wait
Not worried by this
Voices and laughter nearby
Such a tiny room.
Soon in the examination room
Pleasant young woman
Swivels bulky machines with ease
Sliding in overhead tracks.
Directions very precise
Toes together, heels apart
Breathe in, hold still
Roll this way and that.
The procedure over quickly
Satisfying the requirements
The examination complete
Pictures of internal structures.
Results will soon tell
If arthritic or not
The best treatment suggested
Relief hopefully projected.
7/8/2020
Meaning
Another one I liked
Meaning
The need to be special
Runs so deep,
To see oneself in a way
That validates the inner core.
Fragility part of the condition
We call humanity,
Wanting the acceptance
Of those we value.
We know that by all
We cannot be accepted,
Choosing the important ones
A big part of the exploration.
Seeking of self,
Seeking of meaning,
Dispelling the strong need
To be always correct.
Walking in others’ shoes
Is part of this path,
Without this our feelings echo,
Purely a hollow resounding.
We are all unique,
With commonalities aplenty,
But our own truths exist
Developing as we grow.
Where this will take us
Is not the question to ask,
The journey important
Wherever it may lead.
24/5/2020