chandelier light
its weight outside
the mirror

last night's argument--
I go over myself
in the shaving mirror

clay bowl
should hold the water
the kiln bakes out

he brings some past
to the gramophone
Dad's vinyls

morning bird calls
and the child listening
stirred his heart in mine

sailing solo
along the horizon
he cannot see

snuggled up blankets--
the bird songs with me,
with me from first light

toe-turned steps
I say nothing else
to the dance class

whistling
at a mad wind
the weather-vane

out of our car
carrying the pails
of wild blackberries

dusk being mauve
the varicose veins
of the winter trees

cracking the mud
at the end of it
the river drought

in troughs of the moon
Laurel
swimming back

a man-made pond
the one small frog
taken in

campfire doused
the Universe's
blanket of stars

August nights
the pond's mist in
the hiccups of frogs

garden shed
from my drawer of bulbs
which tulips will answer earth

woollen gloves
she brings snow flakes home
on her long-loose-hair

our dogs bring scents
of their morning run
seaweed beach

new curtains
out to their necks
in spring breezes

saying nothing
of the sunset fire
until it finally dies

in the breath of trees
a dawn's orange glow
becoming blue

dirty underfoot
the puddle
mirrors some roses

waterwheel
the creaks of the garden
rust over rust

threading
the bars of tree roots
a river Pike

waterfall spray
Laurel's fly away hair
on my face

the dawn moves
in long shadows
my shadow

ripe boysenberries
behind the leaves
a long reach

gentle
between clouds
migrant geese

dawn opens
my split dreams
with bird songs

stars on the lake
a summer galaxy
the swans push aside

sun on my back
a reflected
puddle's rose

in a fire
apart from the future
everything is lost

in the high country
a feather worked loose
of an eagle's dive

still out of sight
the rising voice
of a waterfall

free from the earth
the butter-pan sizzles
of our mushrooms

her herbs
scenting the garden
scenting the rain

afternoon heat
the scents and foams
of the ferry's wake

backyard Oak
I whittle on a copy
for our mantelpiece

a crow's ruffle
whooshing up the quiet
behind me

our heads down
the whoosh of a crow
here and gone

old girl next door
her plastic rake broken
among the Autumn leaves

this leaning road
to a distant valley
in the breath of trees and home

counting to myself
under our sun creams--
the freckles at Laurel's nose

the pen-pal posted...
those deeper thoughts
I wanted to write

treading water
a Pike plucks bugs
from the tree shades

shaped by the river
not feeling it pass--
a trout in sunlight

origami class
shaping my thoughts
to the quietness it brings

Apple orchard
this water in morning dew
once could think as I do.

slap of the sails
a whale's eye
moves near.

with all the unrest
of leaves
butterflies

Latin rhythms
freeing my feet...
the dance class

naked Oak
one leaf unbothered
before spring

garden cactus
popping her balloon
the birthday one

beach party
Laurel
across the camp fire

sunset sinks
seedlings still answer
to earth

night drizzles
still to rise to the light
to fall again

strange dream...
still time
to dawn songs

a crescent moon
still upright
to the sea

first light
over the river stones
a canoe--- loose

crows swear in long oaths
hills rivulet the storms out
and dawn becomes light

tropic isle
I cannot know
which seeds may copy

watered
under the dog's tail
park saplings

against the wind
her kimono's
autumn leaves

summer twilight
what perfumed sprays
are the hosed roses

post box
re-reading
the pen-pal letter

midnight snack
job interview clothes
over the chair

spring showers
the whole street of bottle-brush
drips drips drips

and before breath, dead
the ewe bleats for her un-young
then returns to graze

one o'clock snack
in the fridge light
in the heat

falls and rustle
the backyard struggles
with autumn

frangipani street
under my nose
under my feet

a class of bonsai
I won't know
what the silence brings

phone texted
the daughter's divorce
she's bringing home

conversation ends
in
the log fire

under the window
my rose the winds have yearned for
fights with a strong heart

coloured balloons
her birthday voices
for party friends

to start the picnic
the sun a boat we row in
your wind full blouse... loose

autumn leaves--
herding a cat
with a rake

drift-woods
bringing the island
to garden

her garden
still forget-me-nots
to walk through

first light
down to its horizon
in bird songs

rushing in
without a sound
spider legs

fire ash
still the past
to sift

shooting star
somewhere between
New Year and the morning

child's play
on our summer lawn
raising grasshoppers

sunrise rains
out of the dark earth
untouched mushrooms

at start of day
over river smooth stones
a canoe... freed

north summer winds
flooding my lawns
to save them

midnight bats
still the fig seeds
to scatter

sun tipped trees
still the butterfly
to move in leaves

sun tipped trees
still the snow ground
to walk home

stampede clouds
a lightning
joins the earth

backyard Maple
her bone naked autumns
of fifty years

beach dunes
the waves crash into
the sound of the gulls

last sunlight
the weeds along the paths
I left to wither

I would compose
a butterfly riding
the nose of our dog

living alone...
grandmother lets
the autumn leaves be

mountain walk
butterfly come see with me
or find another!

the moon bent river
finding the heart
to a haiku

sunset stretching ants
the wind burns so deep
road tar pulls at shoes

a sun rain-bowed crow
its long close fence caw
shatters all silence

his girl with some guy
what fierce reasons wake
that needs hate for both

biting mad road rage
suddenly erupts
from both cars in front

fallen from the tree
ripe fruits of figs split
and seeds trickle out

panicked to running
the rabbit's lungs... burn
just ahead of dogs

lancing the forest
spring sun glints a wren
and a wren mating

spider suddenly
stirs and is bounding
to the blue fly's fight

unfolding sunlight
a patch of the lake
leaps out with salmon

face touching spider
what cold fears this thing
bars the way through trees

the hips thrust, spin, meet
in Latin rhythms
her dance floor Rumba

burning the future...
I search the house bones
nothing else to own

bewildered by smoke
he wakes with a yell
to red crackling breaths

lightning thumps and strikes
I don't know what plans
makes This tree explode

his green eyed monster
hid and went stalking
till they drive home late

reading haiku
beside them
a perfectly small bug

the sun
in a mirror
returning the light

from the bone winter trees
the caw of a crow
departing

shattered near his leg
under a car tyre
the old man's cane stick

blue with desert pools
the drought dry thin stock
he shoots through their eyes

while the stars birthday
with just flesh and bone
my mind's their matter

honey trickled toasts
her taxi's good bye
charges the kitchen

mad December night
denting car yard hail
to start the week's sales

grandma's lunch
her pain knuckled hands
setting the table

between the trees
a tiger moth
climbs the sunbeam

alone with rain
waving down the platform
to the train

grey mist
late in the dawn
with no movable parts

farmhouse
a meteor passing
leaves its light

the garden gate
closes after me
brushing Frangipanis

car-tyre swing
grandpa's the hand
that moves us

saxophones
beneath my cat nap
dad's low vinyl jazz

resisted...
reading a pen-pal
at the letter box

sunset mirror
the geese push aside
the light of the lake

wind
plucking roses
from the moon

dance class
I tell her
I trained without her all week

deepening leaves
grandmother's autumn
beyond her

of homework and nights...
of books at the table
in ink-well stains

needing teeth
this smile
should be framed

flame trees in the park...
yet to fall
as red snow

lightning flashes--
there! in the tree!
a crow stares back

new lace curtains
the merriment of spring
out the window

open tent
light of dawn
the magpie's worm pulls back

open tent
the leaves the rain puddle
takes from the wind

open tent
changing the wind
a taint of rain

open tent
rushing to darkness
autumn showers

open tent
magpies in the Gum trees
a song at a time

open tent
some of the bird songs
left in the fog

open tent
leaving its afterimage
on butterfly wings

open tent
the broken hearing
of red rustled leaves

open tent
the hour sunrise
takes to perfect

camping
just enough clouds
to tattoo the river

camping
an afterimage of the crow--
where she watched me

camping
each speck of a Galaxy
replaced by another

camping
without a sound
insomnia leaves

camping
our Milky Way
on the edge... seeing within

camping
a space between stars
harder to find

camping
in a sea of stars
the lighthouse moon

camping
the nearness of stars
in the bedroom walls

camping
the shadows of a dance
out of the flames

camping
we bathe nearby
the waterfall's voice

camp fire
her silhouette sips wine
in a billion stars

open tent
around the bend
the sound of white water

open tent
hearing the sounds
rain runs into puddles

open tent
how blue is the lake
changed to skylight

open tent
growing with dawn
a bird cage of songs

open tent
the silence the forest has
in breathing

open tent
the breathing from trees
taken by the wind

open tent
when a dot becomes an eagle
from the sky blue

open tent
from a nest of magpies
the melting frost

open tent
all night
the sound frosts crackle

open tent
swallows stitching
the clouds together

open tent
smiling at a bird song
my ear to the next

open tent
eucalypti touching
across the river

open tent
start of day
our daughter sings to bird songs

open tent
pockmarked craters
on the face of the moon

open tent
twilight darker
when the frogs begin

open tent
as shadows move
out of the shade

open tent
the broken light
part grey-- part rain

open tent
I cannot connect
my Zodiac stars

open tent
a frog jumps in
the light of the pond

open tent
how charged the river is
in lightning

open tent
a dove's quick wing
followed by a hawk

open tent
framing the river
the moon glides on

open tent
my eyes split in
the cracks of dawn

lake camping
all the fireflies
of the other side's

camping
a fallen blue-Gum
bridges the river

camping
these meteor tails
should have a sound

camping
our coffee cups in
a gathering of trees

camp fire
before the dusk falls
to shooting stars

camping
a bee hive
being vocal to our smoke

camping
what cicadas don't know
in the last of their cries

camping
the magpie songs
not meant to welcome

camping
shade after shade
inching longer

camping
another hunt squeals
out of the forest

camping
the quietness alone
a sundown brings

camping
where the owl left
a handful of stars

camping
the stars take their time
from a Dark Matter

camping
I can't see
with Dad's wisdom

camping
the touch of freckles
over Laurel's skin

camping
even as I slap mosquitoes
the buzz of the fire

camping
found in the fire
the scent of lemon Gums

camping
the silence in
the nearness of dawn

camping
thunder shakes the tent
in its ropes

gold-rush town
broken shadows
perfectly still

rainbow trout
plucking water-striders
to grow itself

sun bright pond
a carpet-snake
flat out to drink

waters breaking
the sun-blind windscreen
to the hospital

passing minutes
cleaning debris
from the sundial

first-light chorus
the first songs
for the first time

pen pal's address
checked again
at the post box

cactus
the rain drops
on sharpened needles

school auction
buying the desk
with my initials

the old girl
feeding ducks
in unkempt clothes

daily walk
some Frangipani
stopped in... breathed in

drawn up
for retirement
a road trip

so many minutes
on the sundial covered
red leaves

a brown leaf
on the sundial
covers midday

as songs
turn to a chorus
summer sunrise

another bud
on the climbing rose
back fence this evening

cracked
for a chirp
magpie egg

the sudden shadow
of a hawk to the tree
we crouch down under

raising the bucket
a black eel swims
in bright well water

the road traffic hums
under the shade of the bridge
lights flash at evening

the summer sunrise
as it heats, is a mirror
on the wide flat sea

on a swaying branch
the crow's arrival
meets my eyes with hers

to the rooms of monks
the early bell peels
cold in a grey fog

a tarot reading
her bangles and chains
jingle... jangle

school exams
skywriting on the window
a bi-plane

electric drill
his jagged holes
behind the picture frame

selling jars of honey
gifts
given to friends

spring thaw
out to the merry sun
the lace curtains

a year passed...
father says
mum's herb garden needs work

on the window shelf
dried to fill
ten honey jars

a sultry night--
our beach stroll
to the dunes and back

I know only
after the rain
enough seeds will be parents

on the earth
after rain
enough seeds copy the parents

I know only
no matter how cute
most turtle young will be food

twilight
in the same time
the sick friend has not phoned

I know only
after the rain
some strawberry plants will fruit

open tent
the quietly searching
moon's face

camp fire
a full moon
searches the trees

camp fire
our waterfall showers
dried without towels

camp fire
crackling into
the stars

open tent
last in sunset...
the river passes on to night

open tent
green and brown caterpillar
in a beak

weekend camp
a feral cat
sniffs the meat

open tent
thump of thunder
popping her eyes out

camping
eggs
when twigs become a nest

open tent
my dog
inhales the stranger

open tent
mountain---
parts of the snow left behind

open tent
white trapped moth...
I watch the spider begin

open tent
a sunrise in the Gum trees
stepping out

camping
last cling to earth...
a Gum tree fells a younger

camping
a net of stars
cradles the moon

camp site
a patch of burnt bush
wears waving new leaves

camping
the colours of dawn
an incoming tide

camp fire
stirring the coals
I fall to a dream

camping
even in magpie songs
a cricket adds hers

open tent
at a dream's edge
the caw of crows

camp fire
our tent's shade
joins the mountain

dropping a pebble
down the well
a brown moth springs out

late for school
skimming pebbles
on the lake near home

sunset river
a fallen Gum drifts
slow as the breeze

leaving divorce court--
the floorboard creak
in those rented rooms

afternoon picnic--
our canoe shifts
in its mirror

wattle
gold in the sunshine
gold in itself

holding the trickle
cupped in hands--
the sweet brook

from the first light
my ears hear only
the bell-bird's tinkle

home-made kite
still trailing string
on my backyard lawn

chain-sawing trees
should fall closer
to slap your face!

living elderly--
not helpful
to correct the young

childless...
these starry nights
just the Big Bang expanding

red curtains close...
the death scene's
last singer

in the time it takes
the seeds must find
the answer

no magpies care
... if mornings
I must join quietly

streaks of dawn
on a reed in frost the butterfly
knows no beauty

Blockbuster...
quieter
in the credits

lightning flash
the garden sundial
begins to answer

window breaths
the tot nearly fingers
a tree of stars

before joggers...
sandpipers chasing waves
to a retreat

mangrove tide
a silent movie
surrounds the strutting heron

twilight fades
feeling insomnia
begin to worry

out of school
the same hail dents
in mum's old car

late afternoon
the magpie songs fade
the garden sundial too

a beach stroll
the crab claws
just under foot

Zen garden...
Buddha
where all the paths meet

in the Koi pond
the perishing food
of leaves

tulip bulb
mother to daughter
colours the earth

through the low country
magpies bathing
in pot holes of rain

alone with winter...
a brew of coffee
letting me sit it out

rock pools
free from the tide
free from the sea

snail bait
unable to defend
tonight's strawberry dessert

starfish fingers
can only wag
at the gull's attack

morning hello
the coffee foam
smiles on her lips

river camp
each coffee sip
a new sunset

lake side
a sunset burns off
the sounds

twilight lake
all at once
I cannot hear a sound

glasshouse
not timid with any tomatoes
for years now

living elderly--
in lightning
a trellis of roses

living elderly--
my home's most worth
the breath of mornings

living elderly--
a whiskey in the yard
sipped with the moon

living elderly--
falling in love
with twilights

afternoon clouds
an eagle
arrows a dove

paperbark tree
a roughhouse
to the ants' way home

moon tide
all at sea
in rock pools

squawking--
all of the gulls
he left fish heads

swishing flies
the Jersey
ends in an udder

boathouse--
two girls enter
the wall of fog

the tall ship
sails tonight
on the sailors below

midnight moon--
far out of town
the rail line--shining

lightning
ignites Laurel's face
I speak to

lawn frost
hardens the hose
I left un-wound

summer heat
the sunset shatters
the mirror at sea

netting them
is as flirtatious
as butterfly wings

snow fall
painting the yard
through curtain lace

being alone...
I don't wave
the school children pass

her black kimono--
winds shimmer
its autumn leaves

flap of winds
the scarecrow's
faded coat

black hay-filled
scarecrow's coat
in the tall corn winds

church bells
split my eyes
in a Sunday sleep

verandah--
my murder novel
in the windchimes

goldfish
peeing damn pee
in the bowl

hailstones
redden the bed
strawberries lay in

a kite's tail
chokes the church saint
I believe in

interstate railway
the same menus
we dine from

on any frost
I can feel
the grass break

on any shore
I will find them
rock pools of moon

in a sunbeam
I could not know
the moth so close

poker
my hand's chance
to win the lot

the coffee pot boils--
I cannot join
my Zodiac stars

Mum's heat
drawing on life
to crack its egg

full moon
drawing the sea
to rock pools

our coffees boil--
lost in the stars
the Infinite

from the egg
its first cheeps
making the parents forage

start of day
in the pond
the light of a frog's leap
Re: Basho'

jazz music
through the window
late summer heat

a lightning flash
the sundial
in answer

lightning
Laurel's startle
turns to darkness

grey dawn
a drizzle of rain
the bird sings through

praising dawn--
a magpie
the first soprano

in no songs
can the magpie tell
joys desert

in her songs
the bird has no joys
to darken

songs of dawn
the nestlings
don't yet know

holding the memory
I hold
the kid's tree house

bird songs--
and we are both lighter
for our dreams

her songs--
to start the day
the magpie's cracked egg

flat tyres
a girl's red bike
rests on the sundial

solitary faces
along the river--
I row into the sun

midnight
moths just know
to circle the street lights

rain drizzles
the camp site--
the school holidays too

dolphins dot
the sunset waves
across our boat

Pacific rim
a sailboat
its future at the edge

hives
following Father
to a future in honey

bee hive
I cannot count
the flowers

visible
through the midday rain
tulips bending

she soars--
in the air of mountains
the eagle...cries

lily pads
lifted by the wind
lifted by the skirts

dodging them
should avoid the sunbeams
in Dad's old shed

strong winds
seagull cries
there! not here!

in the picnic
the freckles dotting
Laurel's nose

birthday balloon
she could not know
it escapes

seagulls
light as the air
I breathe too

beyond us--
sunset steams
the sea with fire

geese bottoms-up
one last feed
before crossing a sea

the white lie
seen in my eyes
she sits--reflecting

in the end
waves dump the power
of steam

a salmon
opens the hole
the dragonfly fights

close of day
the Minaret's
last call

webs
rainbows shift
on the window

in the park
dogs telling
through their tails

horizons
lure the geese
to the days beyond

spring fogs
the ewes private
in birth

cherry trees
the harvest rush
before rain

sunset sinks
I can not paint
the remainder

a small tear...
my pocket's
front door key

after dawn
dodging spears of sunlight
in Dad's old barn

old dog from the park
the neighbours he knows
greeting

crossing the river
I feel for
invisible stones

full moon
pulling tiny seas
to rock pools

gold leaves
the Maples fall
to slumber

summer scents
under the trellis
grapes between friends

moon
the ocean moves
in its mirror

school bikes
Mum's good-bye
in gentle snow

bat squeaks
the cave shaped
to their sounds

school breaks--
the river's
rope swings

toddler
her breath on the window
she fingers with

a carnation
leans to another--
letting the bees play

our shooting party--
a kangaroo
licks my wound

Wednesdays...
pruning her roses
she left me

climbing rose
darkens the face
of the sundial

in the late sun
I just faced
a butterfly

her brush--
silently in sunshine
a butterfly's... touch

in the rain
I should not point out
the weeds she left

ghost town
a white horse
as we drive out

our long weekend
painting the room--
the baby's future

twin lakes
a duck dives in
the light of water
Re: Basho'

the waterfall
and your laughs
within hearing

wet weekend
the cicadas
hold back their cries

long weekend
the weed's hold
pulls back

cake forks down--
our Grand-aunt
contradicts our Mother

confessional
our new priest
slow to forgive

dazzling
the trams in light--
the midnight rain

sun danced
in the river
the stones we used to cross

after lightning--
beside the river
a cracked boulder

how visibly
is Laurel changed
out of the waterfall

a wing beat--
the hummingbird
catches my eye

hammock
lightens Sunday's heat
I sway in

cutting herbs
I find I am back
to Mother's meals

in the earth
who can tell
the future of a seed

frost
freezes the moons
the puddles hold

wind all day--
the web repairs
the spider is caught in

the ankles
your sari
brushes on stairs

un-gloved--
for all to see
the pledge of her diamond

perfumed
all at once--
the office lift

the family car
we polish monthly--
the reach of the tots

a shooting star
brightens the beach
I came to lay on

the Big Bang sent
a shooting star--
the beach I dream on

sea colouring
the sunset's
orange juice

autumn blows
found in the leaves
the rake rusting

spacing them
should fit the shelf
Father's urn-- his model boat

Father's church
in the sea of songs
an empty praise

Father's church--
I will not agree
souls need saving

after church
Father carving
our Sunday roast

oh! my! departing geese
a feather
crosses the sun

our shrinking town--
would sound better
in a single's dance

twilight
sealing the sunset
in her paint tubes

at breast
in tender joy
her second born

cupid's arrow
in the coal mine
in the timbers

grey lake
salmon quietly gulping
for misty air

art supplies
her pencils
draw the sun

a heart's arrow--
on the Gum tree
on the river

snow bound
the windowsill's
white kittens

wind
the beach party
leaves together

web
a moth starts
its future as a spider

down any mine too
--I should expect--
a heart's name

Indian summer
timed out
on the sundial

hearing geese--
who honks loudest
leads home

breakfasts
in our talk of dreams
except their meaning

I reach out
the frog leaps to
the hole in water
Re: Basho'

pencil eraser
rubbing me
out of a haiku

in head lights--
crossing a bridge
Pines only above the mist

garden sundial
dew growing aphis
on the buds of May

nursing home
I can't find out
who cleans father

the moon--
desires to caress
Laurel's back

bonsai garden
flies here too
polish their wings

fruit salad lunch
an orange peeled
spray of blindness

in his studio
your painting
with your naked sketches

candle flickers
the after-dinner mints
pushed to her

leaving for work
the sunrise's
golden leaves

eyes of the snowman
in a melting spring
children's laughter

rain forest
greening the face
a child sees through

mantelpiece
all one time
the hour glass

a summer's heat--
our watermelon's
shared chill taste

abandoned farm
the windmill
turning rust

in the corn
I can't say
who rides through

back home
once in a blue moon, the moon
on the verandah

peach tree buds
overnight
our future in pies

country hotel
the bikies wearing
their colours in

sound of joggers
the guard dog's
snapping chain

Jerseys
their sashaying
I follow to the barn

no school day--
the children's
hose sprinklers

the cattle-man stops
his sweat polished horse
flicking flies

Sunday patio
the tuck-in sounds
of our dinner plates

no wind sounds
just the willows dangle in
the lazy river

with tourists
she sips an iced green cocktail
under her red sun hat

no stars
I cannot count
the fireflies

seeing home
brightens the stream
she drives through

in the web
due a spring clean--
I remember the cricket's fight

autumn leaves
the wet road's
sliding bend

out the window
she cannot love
her birding cat

surf's up
the waves roll
the sunsets in

mail-box junk
found in summer
past the sunflowers

Friday solitaires
the neighbour's daughter
home late

open window
in lamp light
her games of solitaire

green hills
I can't count
their grains down the river

pool party
the dragonfly's
late arrival

honey comb
tastes of the red Gum
tastes of the bee

bushfire
it is not known
the panic in it

being stars
man on earth
must re-create

star full sky
man of earth too
keeps re-creating

rain
I cannot answer
which drops were once in me

a growing wind
sweeps
the kindergarten sand

during Mozart
the cat claws
her scratching pole

dolphins
shooting the waves
I sail alone

midnight
dividing the brain
I sleep in

magpies
lighten the moods
I wake from

in the poker games
a luck most absurd--
driving home late

in these stones
I cannot find
the grains rain can

first kick
lightens the life
she grows

start of life
her first kick
in the guts

peeling an orange
the tears his jealousy
sprays

from home
to a lover's touch
your car beside mine

my smart phone
when wet and naked
stops

within the hailstones
dents
on another pond

leaving
the morning shower
cold

out of pain
he views the surgery
from above

being in fog
yet by afternoon breeze
sunflower touching sunflower

changing the tune
his trumpet had---
the attic

afternoon heat
the crow tastes vodka
in the drink can

sliced ripe tomatoes
oozing
the juice I hosed in

playground
the other swing
free to the wind

second day at school
her hand goes
to another

her breaking mirror
scatters us
to where we are

sundial
quietly moving
midday

sweat
in my palms
her engagement ring

in the wind
plastics making a dump
of autumn leaves

after the divorce---
my old dog wagging
needs a belly rub

a frog leaps
before the sound
the light of the water
Re: Basho'

her songs--
I don't know from the bird
all her generations

somersault
my dream struggles
in a river

holidays...
I will plant
our apple tree's clone

screeching...
the way thermals
raise an eagle

ice melt
a patch of river
jostles to move on

Maple
suddenly
no future to fall

rain all day
the window sill cat
I run...by

Zen garden
on the un-coiled hose
the dew...beads

end of day
the hawk's wings
folding up

verandah
all at once
grandma's rocker in the wind

laughter...
most hands quickly cover
their poker cards

shrinking village
not a Saturday night
where the singles dance

summer vacation
I walk daily
in the fragrance of Jasmines

solo yacht
I tack windward
in the way of whales

a horse crossing--
the pebbles after
in the river

horse crossing
the river shifts
on its pebbles

a dawn breeze
the shadows move
to seperate

in dropped figs
I can only say
which might seed

...after lunch
the fish and chips
to the gang of gulls

river crossing
a horse steps on
the sound of pebbles
Re: Basho'

stepping in
the stream should feel
alive with pebbles

red traffic light
the cup of hot coffee
from its holder

wet Sunday
the boathouse
at the bend of the river

August thaw
the wet ice
I walked to work on

Aurora lights--
the silence starts
on our cruise ship

waves to and fro
quickening the sand
held in our toes

twilight walk--
in every rain puddle
leaving the moon

whooshing in
a branch drops snow
to balance the crow

cornfield
the horizon's
black cloud-head

truck cafe'--
through the dark of night
the road hard--frost

'til sunset sinks...
the cabbage moth sits
overlooked

fog
whitens the headlights
my truck sees through

our orange sunrise
adding its chirps
the sparrow near me

all night rain
the face in the mirrors
seen on the garden

toddler
touching stars
on the pane

old hay-filled
scarecrow's coat
in the tall corn wind

shimmering lakes
to their home from home
the first of the geese

waves crash---
brought on the wind
a voice from the yacht

garage sale---
the midday rain
reducing our prices

river thaw
a rainbow arcs in
the fall of water

new to my weekends
pruning the roses
she left

first to dance
apple blossoms
in the breeze

unfolding
at the river's fall
an arch of rainbows

within
the goldfish bowl--
nowhere

the Universe
has written all my poems
before I start Re: Sarah Kay

horizon
cloud composed
sunset

what if
all the returning geese
could take this silence!

a sunset shines--
the river thaw
falls in rainbows

old gold-rush town...
afternoon crow calls
sifted by the wind

what fun to show!
the apple blossoms dance
in their first breeze

what if
all full moons could infuse
the river so!

such a low moon
framed
by the doorway

a leg bone healing...
here in these countless shapes
the sunsets bring me

sunrise beach
stepping over the seaweed
left from the storm

renovations
---so unfinished
with the moon inside

midnight storm
the smallest pushed
from the doves

along the beach
a child's sandcastle
lapping waves

first light
composing me a shadow
in the shade

one eaglet
pushing a sister
out of the nest

garden pond
sprinkled stars
food for the Koi

cold Monday wind--
coffees on the patio
a little late for work

country hotel
through the open window
hearing the trees move

an immense sunrise
the sparrow near me
adding its chirps

droning with insects
my eyes crack open
from a garden nap

I phoned her a photo--
an open yellow rose
with a tiger moth

held so tight!
one red Oak leaf
in the winds of winter

bird bath
the starlight glows
with fireflies

from the old girl
her magpies pecking
marmalade toast

river bend
our speed-boat's
spraying foam

burning leaves
the daughter's giggles
whenever the winds shift

wind shifts
in a spider web
the butterfly wings

patio naps--
the sound the twigs scratch
on the old tin roof

travelling circus
the folding of tents here
has a meaning

chill wind
the park swings
weeping our eyes

bitter winds---
the boathouse keys
fumbling locks

the roughhouse birds--
our shared breakfasts
of toasted crusts

my pets and I...
the twilight moving
the cat inside

what flavours
are apples composed
of sunshine!

first light
motions the shades
from the shade

reflecting me
an old man
where the shore birds stand

pigeons peck
the throw-out gifts
of confetti and rice

a merry ant-trail
over the sundial---
spring afternoon

apples
suns pulling on
the earth's sweet water

apples
utterly composed
by moisture

dawn moves
bellbirds to sing
in the backyard shadows

sounds of summer
a bull roars out to
the stings of flies

gnarled old tree
its last season
to fill our apple pies

front door slam--
the school children finding
our warm peach pie

dog
barked holes
all night

a fog rolls in
still enough of dawn
to walk to my bus stop

Laurel feels tickled
by the snow melt
in open palms

on our swimming pool
rains too
of the blue Jacaranda

summer starts--
geese from their fatherlands
GLIDE to our lake

a curtain billows--
the changes to my lie
pinking her cheeks

summer breaths---
the magnolias swaying
in the scented rain

down spirals
to ebbs of the tide
the bay's pelicans

autumn flames---
other backyards too
smoking before it rains

a misty rain stops--
a butterfly enters
the door of our train

shooting ducks
one drowns
before the retriever bites

forest walk
my fear faced
in the spider webs

moonshine...
its orbit contriving
the ebb of tides

the hours pass--
the fireside spits--
a winter night

the rain stopped---
the ants being rushed
by the sunshine

seeping tide
the boat's name again
in sunshine sparkles

trellis grapevine
its green...somehow hope
in her sickroom

trellis grapes--
each globe ripened
with summer

suddenly awake--
a beach umbrella
out of the wind

school park
the increasing pitch
in squeals and swings

half-drowned in the weir
crayfish feelers
at the tops of my legs

an alley cat
moves with the umbrella
in the rain

in stars
two fireflies here, no there
over the pond

snake
her shed skin
rolls slowly in the wind

thunder
clouds rushing
the summer showers

summer roasts on---
longing
a minute if rain

harbour breeze
the oranges of dawn
pour in the boat sails

cave mouth--
an eagle cries in
the lift from mountains

first summer storm
so affirming
I merely stroll home

on the wettest weekend
magpies full of songs
to wake me

harbour dawn
the boat sails
colour the wind

black-edged winter sky
no sound to the dog
slinking to shelter

Mum next serves
plates full of
apple pie on cream

lazy midday
all the river is
rests on its shadows

night of winds
as far as sleep goes
nearly lifting the tin roof

the moon peering in
lifts the well water
to curve itself

morning in fog...
the breakfast passes
to lunches for school

dance class tonight...
my thoughts all month
of more under-arm spray

the rush inside the storm
---only this motel door
to look out

my slow lightening
at the forest's edge---
winter fire-wood

trellis grapes
the white bowl passes
in friendly poker

a pot plant tumbles--
heading the storm
rustles of the red leaves

wet weekend...
my slow attentiveness
to rigging the model ship

beach resort
a sand storm
snuffs the sun

first hint
of the orange dawn
a trill of bellbirds

passing town--
the sticks and stones
of first rains

her silk kimono
shimmering back and forth
autumn leaves on black

office rush
girls rat-haired
in the lunch-time rain

such is wind
the burnt Pine
leans

alone I saw it...
the Gum in the wind, fall,
to the sun on the river

surrounding
the eucalypti
the season of rings

covered in white...
the melt beneath
passing under the bridge

she looks back---
the child like I faced
a kindergarten gate

the break into school
through demolition tape---
my old writing desk

no words for it...
such white roses with a dove
cooing in the last light

blanket snow
a bellbird
tinkles the air

freezing ears--
over blankets of snow
a bellbird...tinkles

...seasons...
how the life in the Gums
turn into rings

sweating hands
from a dark dream
no parts real

greener pastures
a colt struggles
to mum's nipples

the summer's third moon
a whale feeding bub
where the river enters the sea

fire station
the national flag flaps
--they are all out

bowl of strawberries
some haiku
passing my lips

sad
the almost new long red coat
of the scarecrow

rock pools
gifting their mirrors
to the ebb tide

and, the sea winds
making one of the other
from sand dune to sand dune

winter morning web
a spider's face
hangs with the dew

choir practice
through the lead light window
a flawed sunset

magpies sing
through the streaks of dawn
the first bus comes

showering--
roses from Laurel's soap
fills the mist

riverbed
listening
where the drought runs

silent night
to the moon on the pond
a bat swooping to sip

close swooping eagle--
the young rabbit just now
bolts and scampers

garage door
the stray's litter
slinks from our headlights

duck pond
the bread an old girl takes
to bring them

dust storm
stealing the farm's top soil
out of our hands

strawberries
our after-lunch picked
from Mum's clay pots

hoar frost--
through the hanging icicles
a magpie--- sings

forest edge
a lone axe lightens
the shadows

I paddle... they paddle
our counties shared
with migrating geese

an overnight snow
the hills
divided among themselves

first talk of divorce
I follow her outside
into the dusk

light house
over the beach of pebbles
the yacht's--- pieces

the storm flees...
the moon puddles
at cloud speed

honey bees
in the red flowering Gums
the air hums with scent

letter box--
finding on the wire fence
sunlight through the dewdrops

dairy machines
the cows low to
the sound of the suckles

the boy's stick pokes---
rushing the ant hill
out of itself

summer winds
the inflated scarecrow
stranger to the crows

late midday
overcoming a fog
the sunflowers shine

turning the yard
the futures they must
the new seeds

Aquarius stars
out of endless space
no comfort to my birthday

after the drought
that first mirror
myself in a puddle

alone in cabin fever
the snow melts and melts...
out of the cabin still alone

a canoe rows
the moon river
tides keep moving

alone and along...
a beach ball
heading the wind

adding her screams
screamed before her---
the ghost train

long dangling
threads of sun dew...
then the spider's face

the ice drips and drips--
through dawn the singers
out of their plumes

showing the breaths
shown by the frost--
my jog through the park

our rowing boat
caught in the reeds
a kookaburra laughs

the farm brook pushing
its sticks and stones---
first April showers

lighthouse beam
the voices of the storm
through a yacht

re-filling the radiator
kangaroos hop past---
one stares...as if such a thing!

always to be great whites
lording in the seven seas--
the crabs watch them pass

composing the sound
held in water
the frog's leap
Re: Basho'

the clouds are wild
a lightning cracks
our shadows on the sea

slowly autumn--
the street Maples too
clenching their hands

the old man among the tides
takes off as a pelican--
as light as air

the swishing cow
her many darts of flies
brought to the barn

how swooping
the seagulls fill
the after-storm breeze

mountain
the moon comes over
as snow

Monarchs
picking the river stones
to rest their migrations on

hair knots--
the salts of sea water
her Mum combs--through

insomnia...
still the quiet
to reach

a desert rain
still urgent
to seed

Zen garden
still the winds
to disorder

start of day
still colours
to turn clear

nursing home
still bonsai
to shape

nude art
model's hair
still to brush

rose petals
still rain grown
to fall again

winter fog
still droplets
to the webs

deep autumn
still the Flame trees
to fall as snow

sea like thoughts
still in the dark
to sunrise

crow arrives
still silence
to await its caw

spider webs
still beading the fog
to midday

moon tipped leaves
still to fall
to rustles

enough mist
still to sign
the window

what settles us down
sweet sixteen daughter
turning the porch light off

the sunset rushing
I cannot paint
what still remains

underground trains
the airs' to and fro
around their blouses

a humming bird hovers
her stamina
each sip brings

swinging us out
and into the river
the lean of the eucalypt

her greetings
fly out to the car
home for Easter

a leg bone knitting...
an afternoon nap
takes up time

so quietly it floats
the lemon Gum that lent
to the river

sudden red light
our car's soft rear
crumbling

little garden helper
the splinter withdrawn
and kissed by Mum

rustlings in autumn
the naked surprise
of a white Eucalypt

ebb tide...
the seas and skies
of the rock pools

a frog plopped...
taking its sound
to deep water

late night party--
our neighbour today
shy on the stairs

just gone noon--
our unpacked picnic
on the gingham cloth

just above the slime--
a gentle breeze
lifts the gold leaf

moon lit skins
I hold from touching
her few freckles

the long pond ripples--
my under-arm flip
of the flat-stone

just plopped...
the pond gathered in
around a frog

tiny cascade
a rainbow bridged
across the stones

the lift jolts...
a little bob
of her pony tail

tent rains...
my hour of cards
in solitaire

we fished
right up to supper...
the campfire pan

heads up...
wildflowers
in the first rain drops

sunflowers in rain
the weeds I threw
onto the path

squawking in turns
at the sand storm
gulls in a circle

oil paints...
the bowl of fruits
before it corrupts

harvest town
early breakfasts for us
have a purpose

demolition
a bob-cat still in the bedroom
this morning

night breeze
a sunflower sweeps
against the brick wall

the moon-rise snakes
in slow curves
of the river

mountain eagle
I am the ears
who hears its cry

sunflower
a little breeze
in its waves

eagle's feet
the one hooked
prey

at dawn
the sing-songs raspy
of the crow's voice

new wallet
the daughter's photo
needing teeth

clawed with winter
grandmother knitting
her pain

a sea of moon...
the shadows
my jogging passes

fallen Oak
its open grave
bathed in light

shedding rose...
sprinkled on the table
moonlight through a vase

I hear the wind telling
in autumn rustles--
no leaf returns exactly

river Gums
the sound a rope swing
carries me back

winter trees
their veins in the moonlight
connected

in fog
the Mosque's last call to prayer
along our street

being alone
with the fog
our car on the bridge

sitting up straight--
the tuck-in sounds
at grandma's lunch

being late
on the crunch of our gravel
a visitor calling

ebb tide
the life the gulls take in
from the rock pools

solitaire
a pane of moonlight
plays with my cards

across temple grounds
the lawns pecked
around us

driftwood beach
mainly gulls mainly
in the curves of the sea

dog refuge
in soft eyes
taking her home

bright
in the torchlight
my door key turning

beach shack
staring at a sun-bucked sea
the gulls ride on

holiday house
opening this winter smell
to the windows

fresh pink paint
she asks
will her toy pram dry

fairy tales
chasing
her fear to dream

guided to us
by the shifts of stars
migrating geese

a late picnic
the sunset's
polished lake

a lunch-time jog
dodging
the smells of the city

afternoon sun
airing for our party
her little black dress

a beach breeze
salt coats
all their parked cars

answering
our drought
a few perfectly black clouds

beach walk
the smells of the ocean
it brings to the shore

shadows inching...
in the bone winter trees
a crow caws,caws,caws

sunset beach
a hover of seagulls
unafraid of our dogs

first songs--
the stretched sunrise
searching in Gum trees

our blanket of stars
her pale skin near
in the camp light

solitude...
the beach prints
I left this morning

breathing in
near to a perfect
mountain view

finished the climb
some of the cleats
we left in the rocks

the old man
with his fish and chips
huffs and puffs at seagulls

mating season
they watch the gang wars
these younger magpies

blue empty sky
my horse stooped
to the river puddles

my bread crusts
starting a turf war
of magpies

grey autumn showers
the sound of the leaves
softer now

the whole day
in sounds of autumn
needing the wind

a bird bath, and
the hammer to crack
morning frosts

thought I'd drop into
her sick room...
frangipanis

Beyond the verandah
blinding rain...reaching in
for a handful.

Twilight chill
the owl sees the mouse see
the owl see.

Last puppy sold
their birth blankets burning
one by one.

Curtains open
just for these few hours
the moon joins our bed.

Mantelpiece
how his youth fits
father's photos.

Sudden showers
watching my watercolours
run into a Picasso.

Crowded bus
the pink on her face
squeezing her doll's shyness.

Attic sun
a paleness comes to the doll
each afternoon.

Dinner table
coming in with the dog
his sad hungry stares.

Entering dusk
a nun slips into
the priest's confession.

Hospital bed
on my return from the tunnel
of enfolding white light.

Street worker
each shadow reaching
just where she walks.

Travelling salesman
the scent of unclean rooms
too far from home.

Pet shop
for a while an old girl
with her Christmas list.

Just junk mail
knocking frost beads
from the tight wire fence.

Limp sails
after the fog lifts
the curves of porpoise.

After the hail
she hands me ravished peaches
with the bruises cut out.

Crowded bus
the tot showing the inspector
her rag-doll's ticket.

Card night
your laughs move our peanut shells
across the plastic table.

Chasing joggers
just barbed wire
in the guard dog's eyes.

Now seeing
the ninth month shape
the way she walks.

Herb garden
the wife hosing Basil
fills my head with scent.

Sunset sinks
a brumby splashes through the river
to the cool green hills.

Spring thaw
a sparrow puffed in its bath
at the pond's edge.

Her back-yard wedding...
how changed
has our daughter's play become.

Fallen sugar-gum
almost forgotten by the earth
being bathed in moonshine.

Folding wings
the geese's summer journey
has crossed the sea.

Stacked fire-wood
to defend her nest
the funnel-web's fangs.

Brushing the ferns
how the rainbows linger
over the waterfall.

A mountain trek
on the downhill side
two butterflies leading.

A dirt road
hearing the trees, their wheeze
I start my walk again.

Apple trees
saps drawing up a frost
from the fell earth.

The old man waits
free tomatoes on his fence
for any conversation.

Spring rain
then a bright yellow squeezing
out of the rose buds.

Family beach
with the lime bikini blonde
someone's pretty tot.

The wind is all winter
no gulls huddled
along the stinging sands.

Swirling fogs
two trains at the road crossing
suddenly pass.

Tail swishing summer...
lazy with milk
our jersey to the old barn.

Covering the pillow
the dawn colours in
her long loose hair.

Sand castle
letting the children learn
how the sea takes.

Mountain view
one winding road
has left the valley.

Apple orchard
the fruits turning cider
in the hot north wind.

Leafless vine
the spider thinks how to change
her web in the sun.

Drying farm
the silence of his moods
at the family table.

Letter box
the post man straightens
the old girl's fence.

Barn owl
seeing how lovers
are led by spring.

High school
the fullness of bodies
chewing gum.

Spring breeze
Gums rubbing power poles
for any spark.

Kindergarten gate
a heart cries
a heart dies.

Sheep lambing
crows whet their beaks
on the barbed-wire fence.

Abandoned boy's home
and did I break a window
to scramble out.

Tea brews
among the patio ferns
grandmother's talk.

Campfire
eye to eye
the tears of Gum leaf smoke.

Farm drought
one naked eucalypt so dry
it weeps.

Ghost Gum valley
silence but for
the stones of the stream.

Squatting in the fog
the silence of numbats
grooming their bushy tails.

Eucalypt valley
lightning bright enough
for the Gum leaves tremble.

Telephone line
with the laughs of kookaburras
to something just heard.

Waterfall
the impulse to scrub
the sweat from my clothes.

Old Labrador
in the middle of a dream
that I tip-toe past.

Father looks away
so soon all her good-byes
from her wedding party.

Below sound
but the bull-ants have found
the fallen fledgling.

Farm drought
only the bore-water trough
to keep the sheep full.

Dairy farmer
calling the girls in
before the morning heat.

Bell birds
piano practice leaves
the little girl's hands.

Rainbow bee-eater
how fast the buzz grows
among the wildflowers.

After the storm
in leaves
wattle birds making rain.

Wife moving close...
near the end of the wedding
their nervous vows.

Kid's first circus
then the fall-down sad-face
bike-ride of the clowns.

Sudden noise in the wind
the start of a dream
I'll never see finished.

Country hospital
about four beds counted
for the up-turned bus.

Pointing up
she says shooting star
with a lisp.

Hanging her wash
the young wife looks over
towards the city.

Tourist town
exchanging trinkets
outside the gift shop.

Kookaburras laugh
no need to look up the river Gums
for a reason to smile.

Rainbow lorikeets leave
the sugar-gum breeze...
a feather floats.

Lace curtains
so many full moons
to the pretty tot's eye.

Mason
waiting around his yard
headstones in moonlight.

Winter wind
the beach artist washing
his hands in the surf.

Sunlit hills
the hawk and shadow
squeeze their prey together.

River picnic
soaking our blanket
with yesterday's rain.

Laying bricks...
no escape
the dog wants their daily walk.

Pond reeds
through the half slanting sun
a dragonfly race.

Express train
forget-me-not petals
loose on the platform.

Train whistles
the snow quiet town
closed for the night.

Dining table
daggers of light
the silver moon.

His short apology,
and how the chocolates after
cling and cling.

Antiques shop
awakening
grandmother's lilac scent.

White with moon
the lowing cattle
wet with rain.

Parrot feather
plucked from the breeze
rain in my palm.

First light
glittering the hallway
with our dust.

Echoing
lime-stone caves
another tiny drip.

The same direction
eagle wings
in the sound of the wind.

Remnants
of the harbour storm
wrestling boats.

Bus stop seat
a brown bite
in the red apple.

The chill that showers
sprinkle over me...
sick friend's garden.

Tomato stakes
how bent the bamboo
with tennis-ball fruits.

The tide returns...
driftwood stays
breaking waves.

Closing fog
the willow drips
sounds of the river.

Winter is all grey
blinking in the drizzle
harbour lights.

Bell bird
refills the emptiness
of a whitening fog.

River rafting
in and out of the white foam
to the other side.

The sheep mob nibbles...
a mother dumps her new toy
and inspects it.

Dumped on earth
the foal finds
its long legs shaking.

Midday walk
up the steep hill
a dragon fly clicking past.

Harvester starts
the first cloud of diesel
into the wheat field.

Dawn spreads
a cowbell tinkles
to the milk shed.

Weight lifter
his tattoos strained
by the bar-bell.

Spring warms
more bird twitters
through the window.

Earth birth
the dewy lawn thrusts
her mushrooms out.

Thunder claps
the plum tree shakes
its blossoms out.

The winds ruffle
a magpie gurgles
into her eggs.

Afternoon showers...
a bustle of wagtails
about the front yard.

Frozen lizard's
crawl to the sun
thawing her , thawing her.

Winter's last
gentled by the bleat
of spring lambs.

Playful !! maybe not
in and out of the pond's reeds
dragonflies.

From the wood bridge
we cross by daily
the diving school-kids.

Splattering bird-bath
they ignore the woman's stance
bent to enjoy them.

Probing novelties
from the mud bay shallows
the old men Ibis.

The beach roasts
a blonde passing
drips sea on my skin.

Without the others
what pleasure is in one
blue curling foaming wave.

Goldfish tank
their lips move in and out
of the ceiling.

Dawn spreads
gulls manning
the beached canoe.

Debutante ball
with chrysanthemum
white smiles.

Hang glider
swirling out of the sun...
the child's eyes follow.

Where clouds would be...
taking a while to leave
my envy of the wild geese.

In the dead of night
train whistles
connecting the towns.

The telescope gift
no one comes to...
Saturn and its rings.

Bubbling the bridge's
shady river
brown polished stones.

In a few tomato cartons
old books
untouched in the garage sale.

How furiously
the tiger moth entangles
the circle of silk.

Finding a shadow
the platypus frightened
by another canoe.

Tourist resort
choosing our memories
from the post-card rack.

Park sunshine
in the shrinking rain puddle
an empty swing.

Cleaner than the others
a rain puddle
looking back.

Scarlet forest
sunset slanting
through the ghost gum leaves.

Farm drought
only the rain water tank
giving the crows shade.

We drive home late
trucks racing trucks
throughout the rain.

Mind full
our tom cat stepping
behind the magpie's warble.

Tin roof
the sleeplessness
of leaves in the wind.

Easily seen
yet the neighbour's son silent
in our mango tree.

Carbuncle in the soil
the coming... the going...
of the bull-ant mound.

Moonlight
looking into the Gum tree
for the owl's hoot.

Country road
crossing in the moonshine
a flash flood.

Gate in the wind
to stop the noise
the neighbour's barking dog.

Following them down
on their frozen faces
the elevator jolt.

Auctioneer
so soon under his hammer
our family home.

Home from school
one smell from the kitchen
being fresh apple-pie.

Garden pond
the many turns in moonlight
of the golden carp.

Edge of the cliff
no moonlight
to the touch of a web.

Homeless...
the lazy river
in a wide brown flood.

Sunset darkens
nearly at the snake's young
the school boy's stick.

Old sailor home...
no escaping his tall tales
for the grandchildren.

The mountain fogs
a deer blurs
into.

Tiny forest noises...
whose death call
comes tonight.

Orchard fog
the shapes apple trees make
being picked.

Wheat field
the urge to meander
in the waves of the wind.

Down ... and feathered
from the parrot's nest
our neighbour's cat.

Sunset sinks
the windmill dry-retching
into the drought.

Fig trees
the night's thunder shaking
some fruit bats out.

Going ... coming ... going
driftwood tossed
along the empty beach.

Door slam
his loudly bruising finger
that mum kisses.

Water lilies
a duck under their skirts
feeling for snails.

Spider's sting
a life worth taking
the tiger moth.

The early worm turns ...
a magpie
scissoring half.

First snow...
a newcomer taking
our poker night wins.

Tiny silent stream
the salmon's leap
from moon to moon.

Confessional
the sound from some priest
forbidding my sins.

Old rain forest ...
down in the tall light
her ancient hidden potions.

Nylon dress
her hisses at lunch
reaching across the table.

Old boxed letters
someone longing
in my mother's voice.

More than a child is
she carries
a bird from the road.

Cicada in the tree
becoming more like us
the child listens.

Interstate bus
near term she is settled
into both back seats.

At child's end
she nurses
a bird from the road.

The old couple
leaves raked
at autumn's end.

Such blinding heat
just the shrill of cicadas
out of the dry north winds.

White frost
the rain puddle
making ice of the moon.

Used car yard
winter dinting us
with hail and rust.

Bedroom window
mirrored with dawn
a magpie pecking the magpie.

In the Zen garden too
adding
a handful of compost worms.

Skipping school
the cicada's racket
in the boy's tin can.

Beach pavilion
an Emperor moth and I
outwaiting the storm.

Verandah
the Kelpie's dust scratched
into a sunbeam.

Swirls of snow
the mountain road tilts
with passing cars.

Aunt's visit
her hat feather's bob-bobbing
in our conversation.

Summer art class
our watercolours preserving
the rises of seeds.

Thunder rattles ...
the quiver of ferns
in their garden beds.

Lush carrot heads
I find the horse nibbling
what its lips came after.

Zen breathing
the last train home
in the lightness of sleep.

Sunset garden
the buzz from honeysuckles
has fled the day.

Tripped by a log
half-way to joining the stars
the flash of my torch.

Street parade
leaving the balloons limp
midday summer heat.

Sunset beach
waves at the children's castle
coming and going.

Into a great gloom
the rain forest swallowing
our bicycle lights.

A moray eel's cave ...
in circles with itself
while we swim past.

Apricot sky
sand dunes following
the afternoon wind.

Cemetery
dried wreaths becoming
the crow's new nest.

Interstate bus
an aunt chatting family
to strangers.

Winter frost
limp with the river
little bags of kittens.

Homeward
over the holiday resort
migrating geese.

Telescope
wheeling against deep space
a perfect Mars.

Long walk home ...
the rattling of the storm
agog in gutters.

Campfire coffee
the stars of the Universe
passes some time.

Sun-bright blue
the jacaranda's carpet
on the swimming pool.

The summer day sets ...
an eagle is shaping itself
on a far fiery cloud.

Ocean sunset
stepping from wave to wave
a summer breeze.

Her wreath placed ...
contriving me a speech
to be remembered.

Single mother
still finding courage
in the new town.

Rushed breakfast
the cat's gentle tapping
on my shoe.

Grandmother's eyes ...
the months of her mantelpiece's
un-wiped dust.

Mushroom search
the shapes of trees dripping
whitened by fog.

Winter ends
under the walk bridge
a bubbling river.

Walk by the lake
a fish circles
within a stone's throw.

Faster with its music
on crowded nights
the old merry-go-round.

Bus stop
sweating in winter
the cake-shop window.

Midday heat
she brings us sliced iced mangoes
on a cold white plate.

We have the same thoughts
picking her passionfruit vine
... grandmother's jam.

Heaven high
veering left from the sun
the return of geese.

Grandchildren
the sway of her breasts
preparing their beds.

Between stones
hands making a cup
of the cool stream.

The birding cat
that stone I just threw
which one did it hit.

Breathless summer night
the ice-cube jug sweats out
on the verandah.

Wearing out
rain puddles
the brightness of suns.

Bedside stories
the tot finding shadows
too like her dreams.

I , an eagle ...
heaving out to
the surface of air.

Painter's brush
creating the waterfall
without a sound.

Hitchhikers ...
growing and growing
their far travelled tales.

Drought's end ...
clinging to the Gum leaves
it drips , drips , drips,.

Dusk quickens
magpies quietening
into shadows.

Wine and cheese night
the joys of the riffs
from a jazz trio.

Sketched
before corruption
the fruit bowl's apple.

Bird-bath splashes
I compose me a haiku
about the garden.

Skeleton tree ...
suddenly piercing
the crow's caw.

Face-painting
being mother
she tries it before her doll.

In the last train
following
the storm home.

Her call ends ...
a half decent senryu
on my jotting pad.

A garden shed noise
it was then I saw
the dead spider's eyes.

Between breaths
it came swooping from rain clouds
a wedge-tail eagle.

Neighbours not home ...
all midnight hears of it
their black dog's howl.

Summer begins
a chorus of cicadas
into the park.

Patio icicles ...
the morning of sunshine
just fills a cup.

Inside the ice sculptures
something
like shadows move.

Before the tide
heron prints
along the bay's black mud.

Mangrove mud
the slither of a snake
from the sunlight.

The river forks ...
pondering a while
in our picnic canoe.

The kangaroo's stare
moon bright ...
mine too looking back.

Lake side
beyond the streetlights
another moon.

Mangrove
between tangled roots
its stinking sticky mud.

Waterlilies ...
no canoe glides
only mayflies hide and seek.

Old horse barn
smelling a sunbeam
about the stalls.

School holidays ...
on their hop-scotch chalk
a stray curled dog.

Road kill
the blackness of crows
tasting a crow.

Tasting the salt
in the sea fog
winter stroll.

Home lakes
geese cries forgetting
the ocean flight.

Descending
to the pull of tides
the bay's pelicans.

Midday sun
slowly ending
Sunday's lay-in.

Dirt road
the tall grass swishes
of a quick brown snake.

Home from the heat
high heels kicked
into the corner.

Saw mill town
slowly growing Pines
in the pot-holes.

Winter storm
after jogging home
to lentil soups.

Camp-fire moon
talking alone
to lunacy.

New moon
the crunch of a white frost
along country roads.

Raising a shadow
at midnight
the fruit bat's wing.

Being summer
jelly-fish melting
above the tides.

Creeping under tin roofs
rust
of the sea fogs.

Shooting stars
their tails come to us
in our own air.

Friday night poker
hands dealing into
a square of the moon.

Guests gone
still above the pool
the dragonfly's hum.

Cellar wines
in cool walls
a cricket's constant chirp.

Being dragon eyed
the gulls frightened
by his kite.

Waterwheels
sipping wine by the pond
with Laurel.

Ghost town
deeper each year
the earth pollinates.

Tracks
of their roped driftwood
between the boys.

Sequin dress
the entire dance floor
to herself.

Our affair
coming out
in coffee lounges.

Fumbling with keys
fumbling with locks
the child home from school.

Patio ...
listening to the autumn
crinkle leaves.

Too frail to sit on ...
still holding its shape
the rotten sugar-gum.

In mother's wake
cygnets bob
the sunshine about.

Day breaks
in the stilly silence
a dream still dreaming.

After us
about ten cows sashaying
from the buttercup field.

Whale watch
one wave rising
out of the blue.

Passing storm
at the dark edge
of the rainbow.

Darkness and devils
my head bowed under
these shrieking bats.

Patio winds
pruning the bonsai too
of autumn leaves.

Sunset
following the geese
on an ancient journey.

Laundry door
the children's height
faintly pencilled.

Lightning bolts ...
along the freeway
so many tiny cars.

Soon to fall Pine
sunlit
her perfect raised saplings.

Gold autumn leaves
a log in the river
hoarding its treasure.

In moonlight
the measure by a pebble
down the stone well.

Midday or later
the shrill of cicadas
across the heat of the park.

Gold winds
deepening the rusts
of autumn.

Below our hearing
the guard dog's chain
pulled tighter.

The dragonfly hovers ...
circles in the bird bath
mingle.

Barbed wire fence
kangaroo skins
cleaned by crows.

Snow-fed falls
waters breaking
the birth of a river.

New table
the white square of it
around our old blue vase.

Still alive
on the bull ant nest
the scorpion's sting.

The pelican's descent
follows the outpourings
of the sea.

Grandkids
their chocolate kisses
going home.

Rainforest
a backpacker takes
its stillness out.

Asking directions ...
only the older workmen
in blue singlets speak. .

Freight train
whistling
its reason to sound so alone.

For hours now
the abattoir has no sound...
a crescent moon.

Rain forest ...
caught in a sunbeam
green tourists.

Summer winds
yet the horse in the stream
turns to my sigh.

Country road
kicked from its belly
an ancient quartz stone.

Still hovering
pinnacles of pampas grass
the dragonfly.

Out and out
of the cave's mouth
screams of the fruit bats.

Back to my childhood
I wipe a bit of jam
from the tot's lips.

Lime-stone caves
chilled by the drips
from an ancient river.

When love was easy
grandmother's lunch
over her lace table.

Cormorants
before us
diving below the lake.

On the sunlit lake
that migrating geese
call home.

A jazz record--
the blues from the jacaranda
floats to the lawn.

The long travelled geese
no reasons now
to endure cold.

Lover's lane
windscreens fogging
their silence.

Tall old woman
gloves on in the hallway
with nowhere to go.

Evenings wings
two upside down clouds
across the lake.

Rain forest
all the edges blurred
green.

Rain whispers
the tin coloured lake
surrounds our canoe.

Interstate station
the train's steam embracing
their hurried kiss.

Rain near
a rainbow rings
the half moon.

Brushing past
the dog's stick
into the river.

Gulls fleeing
the bruised sky
of the winter storm.

Barbed wire
guarding those few
that sleep.

Verandah
dusk follows
the old folk inside.

Puddles of rain
the cattle lowing
upside down.

In forest
a cat's tail swishing
around the fog.

Straw sun-hat
shapes of your digging
in the herb garden.

From the earth's bowels
the smell of a drought
digesting the rain.

In Gum trees
the shape of a girl smoking
... the fog shifts.

In the hills
the last train whistled
the town's goodbye.

Found on the lawn
just the smell of dog
in her dressing gown.

Old snake skin
in last year's rings
along the track.

Lukewarm
sunshine reaching
the lily-pad's roots.

Apple blossoms
kicking out at the carpet
around me.

Wedge-tail eagle
following the last hour
of sunset.

Pub closed
the sailor against the fence
with these waves about.

At midnight
shrieking bats shrieking
from the cave's stone mouth.

Sunset stretches
our shadows
caught underfoot.

Winter's about
following me around
with white breaths.

Pet song on the radio ...
too rushed
making their school lunches.

Its nerves
trapping the pheasant
in my rifle sights.

Caught in time
ladybirds photographed
on the yellow roses.

In fog
the quick brush with ferns
a touch of birds.

The rusting freight yard
no trains come to ...
boys with stones.

Picking apple trees
an eagle glides above us
shaped by the wind.

Reading my novel
neighbours move out...
next door moves in.

Every Wednesday
the priest brushing
the nun's confession.

In it comes
two rainbow lorikeets
following the scent of hail.

Unless he gives illusions
the street magician
has no charms.

Ripe cornfield
a rustle from
the coloured wind.

Video taped
cornered inside our space
the comet's tail.

Ripe cornfield
discovering at the centre
a scarecrow's clothes.

Yellow-rose thorn
ripping the red drop
of my blood.

Wet weekend
the mists in the shade
of our town hall steeple.

The scent of Pines ...
stooped in the clearings
spotless skies.

In the nursing home
my mother's face
as I remind her.

Rain forest
a bell-bird's singing
comes out of the fog.

Her shadows touch too ,
letting the butterfly
around my face.

Summer's end
the unsung cicadas too
beginning to die.

Sunday afternoon
the merriment of ants
with a butterfly's wing.

Garden helper
all the pain of the bruise
kissed away by mum.

Bring us your driftwoods
tides, ebbs from those unknown lands
bring them all face down.

Migrating geese
the marshlands and summer
rowdy once more.

Such is pity
the spider cannot release it
the Emperor moth.

An owl hoots
hedging around shadows
the old tom cat.

Immersing fog
the caws of magpies
around me again.

Cool forest
the ghost Gums reaching
their tall light to me.

Curve of a rainbow
the lisp of the child
counting the colours.

Winter
melting the brown carpet
with leaf mould.

Bay shallows
stabbing for any young thing
the old man Ibis.

Bathroom tiles
too many ; no not too many
tiny footprints in the talc.

Ripe corn rustles
turn me around
to the scarecrow.

Magpie's beak
the defiant chirp
of a cricket.

First dew ...
not far from home
picking field mushrooms.

The old couple ...
flames from their raked leaves
fading now.

Rock climbing
the click from the wings
of a dragonfly.

Wind rattles the house
the moon glows in
on child to child.

Heat haze
a wire fence in the lake
of a mirage.

Doctor's rooms
a tank of goldfish
taking their turns.

Holding its shape
unbaked
the thin clay vase.

Scattering leaves
moonlight bounces
in the orange tree.

Still tacky
in green wet paint
the platform seats.

The peddle canoes
gathered to rest
at low tide.

Autumn oak
the zigzag fluttering
of butterfly leaves.

Our home for sale
sparrows peck the lawn
near auction's end.

A scatter of clouds,
silver-edged
fruit bats across the moon.

Fallen figs
the cat the mouse sees
has crossed the lawn.

One willow
sweeping the river
of its reflection.

Muscatel vines
storm clouds
rushing the harvest.

Flood recedes
a patch of sunlight
wrinkled in mud.

Icing
the patio furniture
moonlit frost.

The boy's scooped in
cicada shrills
from his marmalade jar.

Fog around the trees
a deer in gun sights
comes and goes.

Late home
only bedroom moonlight
on her form.

In far away hills
whistling
the wheat train's descent.

Midday heat
she brings us pomegranates
peeled and chilled.

Corn field
a rider parts
the ocean.

Buoy bells
in the fishermen's thrown heads
a chorus of gulls.

A bright sunbeam
in the eucalypt
where the butterflies mate.

Dances
drawn on the breeze
fireflies.

After martinis
the lost sunset
chilling us.

Winter light
through the naked roses
your lingerie drying.

Tourist town
the local asks later
where we have been.

At the cave mouth
wildflowers
in the tongue of a breeze.

Interstate train ...
the last thing from her
a hand covered smile.

Passing a flame tree
onto the hearse
autumn adds a leaf.

Thwack !!
the way thunder feels
in our old tin shed.

Midnight
tomcat re-scenting
the scent of the dog.

Migrating geese
the sounds of the summer
carried on a breeze.

From the black on white
the crow leaves
just the snow.

Gentle waves
rolled in scarlet
sunset.

Paddling up river ...
a horse ponders
and returns to drink.

The mountain snows ...
only the gliding eagle
to screech about it.

Midday heat
such fierce buzzing surrounds
the rainbow bee-eater.

City fog
office girls
coming through the park.

Ski fields
a white overcoat
around the mountain.

Hot apple pie
our dessert spoons
digging deep.

Thunder passes
the willow weeps
into the river.

Fog thickens
a crow caws louder
from the neighbour's fence.

School exams
a magpie pecks itself
in their window.

Dry lightning
in the white-gum's litter
leaves smoke.

Mountain Pines
a Christmas-card snow
sprayed on the lake.

Carrying our canoe
deeper into the lake
yesterday' s rain.

Hot north winds ...
hosing her herb garden
she uncurls leaf after leaf.

Jogging slower
under the flowering Gums
that sing with cicadas.

Labrador and I
waiting for the moon rise
to whiten the snow.

The stillness
as days end
of moonlight in water.

Chiming faintly
of bamboo
the forest breeze.

Canoeing where
the Southern Cross
is mirrored on.

Misting lake
at the cabin door
tea mug warms my hands.

Dust eddies
under the bridge
raising the drought.

Remaining leaves
the old oak more gold
in the setting sun.

Joined by snow
the field's wildflowers
ragtime in a breeze.

Floods recede
cattle and calves
swelling the hills.

Blue baby eyes
his mother's milk
composing a burp.

Waterfall spray
under the cover of dusk
Laurel showering.

Apple tree budding ...
last year
hair to pull a comb through.

Receding train ...
a file of headlights
from the car park.

No answer ...
on the glass table
the long chain on her house key.

Migrating south
between our boats , between our joys
more whales this year.

Blackberries picked
our hands and smiles
the same purple.

Sun blind
the mouse moves in and out
of the eagle's eye.

Long drought
the river banks
meet at the centre.

Short dress
the long whistles
follow.

Homing pigeons
the eagle's shape
out of the blue.

Strange fruit in the mango tree
the dog guards
the cat's escape.

Mosquito
bringing the dog's blood
into my sleep.

Down the light , down the river
returning geese
cry out.

Far horizon
in the breeze a magpie
pecks the scarecrow's eye.

At the mountain spring
her kissing lips
on the mouth.

Dawn opens
another magpie tenor
underneath the lead.

To the gypsy geese
that return this year
our blue shining lakes.

Platform heat
the winds of summer
and express trains.

Neighbour's son
our ripe strawberries
fills his pockets.

Family album
the child points
some forgotten ones out.

This morning's fog ...
I am swallowed in the park
with magpie calls.

Dim hallway
the grandfather clock
unwinds its chimes.

Sunday afternoon
puppies everywhere
after leaving the nipples.

Lingering
under the waterfall
a brace of lovers.

After Sunday lunch
the weight
of summer heat.

Whiskey-raw midnight
only country songs
in the motel room.

Midnight breeze
rustling other leaves
an owl arrives.

Waterfalls crash
a plum afternoon
rainbows in the mist.

Flood-lights
the lake and sky
the same full moon. .

She stoops to sip
the cool spring mouth
quenching another.

Winter dusk
brightening
the traffic lights.

Express train
the swell of ruffled blouses
along the platform.

Starless river
seeking landfall
its eucalypt seeds.

Bush walk
found in the heat
a clearing full of sky.

Melt-water fishing
the rainbows in the skins
of the trout.

Quivering still
a clap of thunder
among the wildflowers.

Summer is fleeting
another cicada
at the end of its shrills.

Sponge diver
the sea horses rigid
behind the reef.