the day i fell to earth

 * A Point in Time *

the day i fell to earth

denial was real

hope was against hope

then reality sank in

the only consolation

i was not swallowed up.

one nerve at a time

 * A Point in Time *

one nerve at a time
one stretch at a time
one pulse at a time 
time may wait for none
still, one cannot be in haste.

when impairment wins

 * A Point in Time *

when impairment wins

when you think you're weak

when you can still be strong.

what i will

 * A Point in Time *

what I will, will
walk with intent
listen, pause
be purposeful
be kind.

what I saw

 * A Point in Time *

what i saw
there is still truth
there is still goodness
there is still hope
there is still space for more.

gratitude

 * A Point in Time *

gratitude
the rain not heavier
the sand not coarser
the grass ever glistening
the shoes fits well.

what I have

 * A Point in Time *

what i have

imagination to carry on

conviction of faith

belief in cause

always there’s a better.

in thought i knew

 * A Point in Time *

i thought i knew but i didn’t

i thought i was clever but i wasn’t

i thought i meant well but i was wrong

i thought i was strong but there were stronger

When I Thought I Lost

 * A Point in Time *

10

When I Thought I Lost

When it happened

Whatever

Whatever may not matter

when the loss is real

When the loss is real.

The truth is out there

Black will remain black

and so white as white.

What do I believe in then?

What do I hang on to then?

Did one say

Nothing happened without a reason?

*06 April 2025 - fracture of a whole

When Shadows Fall

 * A Point in Time *

9

When Shadows Fall

Grasping, grappling

for now

As shadows

fall over the earth, temporarily,

Yes, it’s only for now,

Reminding us

Calling us out

to be mindful

What have we done?

What have we been doing?

For now

Minutes and seconds stretch long

Take time now, recall

What you have done

What you have been doing

When these shadows are lifted

How will you walk, differently

How will you pause, purposefully

How will you care, truly.

April 2020

*written during the movement control order

When I Want It All

 * A Point in Time *

8

When I Want It All

I want to love

and have

and not to have loved

and lost

So it was when I was young

So it is now I am old

I want it all.

Do I?

 * A Point in Time *

7

Do I?

Flowers on curtains

Flowers on urn

Ever gay

Ever fresh

Do I but envy these?

Forever fresh

Perhaps, somewhere

but No

I long not

where feelings are not

Decay is rich

It is good

to luxuriate in all moods.

Defiance

 * A Point in Time *

6

Defiance

Clang and twang of festive notes

Jiving pots and pans

Sizzling fish in oily woks

Water lapped and licked in sink

Hushed in a corner

The little one and her ragged doll

in deep slumber

like lovers in defiance.

Going Home

 * A Point in Time *

5

Going Home

Fingers-stretched of bare branches

Intertwined, hovered hauntingly,

The distant howl of a lone dog

like snake gliding,

Silently stared a lizard – 

an eye over the mossy stone,

The path yawned, was lost,

A dim-lit moon … a distant call

I trod steadily home.

When It was Cloud Maiden

 * A Point in Time *

4

When It was Cloud Maiden

Little Cloud Maiden

Soft and gentle

Tiny hands in clasp

Tiny feet curled

Cradled warm in bed.

 Wind blows loud

Trees are bare

All is quiet and cold

But, little Cloud Maiden,

Winter soon will give way

to spring

For you little Cloud Maiden

All will be flowers soon

All will be sun again

Cheeky chirping birds

Calling awake

Your merry little self

Grow, little Cloud Maiden

Grow gentle and sweet

Grow with the flowers

Grow with love.

*Sydney, July 1981

Only the Night and Us

 * A Point in Time *

3

Only the Night and Us

Only the night and us

Only our breath

Only our slither

We explored

We meandered

We twisted and coiled

Moon halo

Burning chase

Raw mystique

Like midnight creatures

to the murmurs

and snuggle of the night.

A Time in Maastricht

 * A Point in Time *

2

A Time in Maastricht

I welcomed the numbing cold

As I burrowed into your warmth

crossing the cobbled bridge

The hot sausage spurted warmth

As I licked it off your lips.

The Salt of Pain

 * A Point in Time *

1

The Salt of Pain

I tasted the salt of pain

How it

shrieked and shrilled

through the veins

The eyes see no form

The ears hear no tone

Pain was a cold body

drenched in sweat.

And you said

that you have

eaten more rice

than I have

tasted salt.

My pain

is temporal.