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..