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
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
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 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
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
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
It is harder to get warm
when you are not near
near enough to my heart
it still skips a beat
the missing one must make its way
to play on your heartstrings
like a bird without a song
muffled to my ears
tastes like thinner
illusionises my painting
at dusk
it is all too grey
rain stops by
to keep me awake
fiery amber woven in parakeet feathers
drape across the wave sculpted rocks
your beauty overshadowed by
molecules of red, orange and yellow
on a sunlit day
Photo taken by Cassa Bassa at Turimetta beach, Sydney Northern beaches, Australia
