Why did they leave us

Three angels added to heaven.
One is sunflower bright.
One is fox smart.
One is sage wise.
You see,
even heaven desires them.

– in remembrance of our dear love ones: Ash, Eric and Sally

More

I love you so much now.
I want to love you more
in ten years time.
Help me to fulfill that!

Samsara 轮回

Mourning a green lotus withered
before its season

The monk is chanting to free him
from all desires and notions of self

“My baby is turning into ashes!”
The mother’s wailing grips my heart
more than the hope for nirvana

Hair grey and frail
a mother waiting for her son’s samsara

少壮命早归
哭丧青莲衣
轮回成灰登极乐
慈母悲哭动天庭

Outsider

prickly lush green leads me down the stream
earthy force channels through my bare feet
a pied heron pokes its head up tilting towards me
I hesitate, unsure of my trespassing
I look at the heron holding my breath
not sure when humans are isolated from
the natural habitat

Photo taken by Cassa Bassa at Fagan Park, Sydney, Australia

Sober mind

I experimented sobriety
in end of year party season
Surprise!
I ate less danced more
Party people are beautiful
in any age
Sleazebags and criminals
stood out like sore thumbs
inescapable to my sober mind

Hornet’s surprise

He made her cry
like an orange peel
stung her eyes

He made her numb
like a tangy grapefruit
bittered her tongue

He made her smile
like a ripen orangelo
surprised her lips
with a swell of affection

We don’t dwell here

Living Poetry December Prompt

We came naked
welcomed by clapping hands
and joyful tears
the in breath of the spirit
gave us life on earth

We left naked
farewelled by gripping arms
and tears of sorrow
soulless husks returned to dust
to feed the moss filled ruin

Sinking stone

We farewelled with a hug
after a lazy beach day
I complained about
your sweaty hot skin on mine
your breath burned my earlobe
I dived straight back in the sea
to cool off

When the police kicked down
your apartment door
you laid on the warm floor tiles
bathed in the hot afternoon sun

The coroner released you
in a numbered bag to the holding room
1-5°C was ideal for you

I stood staring at you
in front of the open casket
You looked cold and distant
took no notice of the flush pink
plastered on your face

All the eulogy givers tried so hard
to warm up the service with dead jokes
to comfort the mouners with inconsolable stories
to celebrate your life with cruel death’s doing

You are now a chill stone
tied around my ankle
sinking me forever into the deep blue
withholding your hot sweat
and burning breaths

In the club

when is this gonna happen
how many more drinks
crack one more joke
she flicks her hair
and laughs
her perfect peaches
rippling out of her sundress
man, I am gonna
run out of jokes
and too fucking drunk
to ask her out