The rocks lie still letting the sun comb through their rugged form
The shadows of the trees line the path with whisper of old stories stalling me from walking into the sunlit serenity
I wonder if the pelicans will be my eyes to survey the island far beyond the horizon
*Photo taken by Cassa Bassa at Green Point Foreshore, The Central Coast, NSW, Australia
You don’t understand
why I need to shop for
yet another red lipstick.
I can only explain
that perfection lives in tomorrows.
I don’t get tired of
watching people
listening to the rain
and
thinking of you
Today is a good day
I get to write about
thinking of you
while
listening to the rain
and
watching people
Simple things are beautiful
I don’t mind experiencing them
on repeat
every day
Wounds I Healed, The Poetry of Strong Women
Published by EIF
Edited by Gabriela Marie Milton
I remember your breath on my skin
I responded in goosebumps
Your touch kept me secured
in the shape of a heart
You called me a cute name
I paused, melted and became undone
There are so many moments I remember
They match every moment of our today
I fall deeper and deeper in love with you
Living Poetry word prompt writing
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly without complexities or pride.
I love you because I know no other way than this.
So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand.”
You recite Neruda to your dying husband
in the storm this boat cannot withstand
We may not enter the safe haven after all
My last sight of this calamity is love on display
I thank you fellow refugees
When I close my eyes,
I know the goodness of God
You brought me sunrise
When darkness covered my mind
Morning dew diluted last night’s tears
My lashes tasted sweet upon your lips
You tendered me with a crown of frangipanis
Within the distance of our breaths
A butterfly fluttered frantically
twining around the invisible bloom between us
I get to know Alana
she wears leopard print dress
and flaming red nails
she plays the keyboard
in broad daylight
to fight off the blues
We talk about girly stuff
skin exfoliation
hydration mask
hair tossing
and stiletto heels
She tells me about Alan
in corroboree
he wore coloured feathers
and ornamental coverings
he painted white and red bands
across his chest
Alana doesn’t go to corroboree anymore
she cannot bear to see herself
in Alan’s persona with
bare chest and hairy body
she misses her mob
and the land
It is easier to talk about
the Summer makeup trend
balayage hairstyle
slimming corset
and hot pink toes
Writer’s note: This poem was published in Australian Poetry Journal. It highlighted the struggle of being a transgender Aboriginal Australian. They are up against the disapproval of their mobs and elders. The constant feeling of the need to live a double life often adds the stress and mental strain, and subsequently has a negative impact on their mental health.
Flicker of Thoughts 