WALK IN THE PARK
(Villanelle)
Within the park come walk with me
while bird calls greet the morning's glow
in clear enchanting melody.
Their songs ring a doxology
in unison as warbles grow -
within the park come walk with me.
A chorus calls from each gum tree
and rises as the breezes blow
in clear enchanting melody.
As with the birds our minds fly free
and soar to heights where lovers go -
within the park come walk with me.
We revel in this lofty spree
and yearn to hold the status quo
in clear enchanting melody.
So we renew our love's decree
as hearts pulsate a placid flow -
within the park come walk with me
in clear enchanting melody.
A CAMPFIRE'S CARESS
On a cold winters night at our campsite out west,
By the campfire to buffer the chill,
With a mug of strong billy tea warming the hand,
With the sounds of the bush creatures subdued and still,
We withdrew from things mundane and bland.
There we sat while the flames leapt and darted at will,
By their hypnotic gestures entranced,
Though we spoke not a word, our minds tuned as one,
And we knew when at length at each other we glanced
That Loves magical web had been spun.
VALENTINE'S DAY IN THE VILLAGE
With Valentine's Day fast approaching
our Cupid was fixing his show:
sharpening the tips on his arrows
tightening the string on his bow.
An old people's home was his target where
he wanted to raise quite a storm,
though sex numbers there were uneven with
one man to four women the norm.
So Cupid unseen by the lodgers
chose each of his victims with care;
first up were two men on the park bench,
then the one nodding off in the chair.
Through hallways he flew and selected
a chap who'd just turned 95;
another who suffered dementia,
and one who seemed barely alive.
The arrows he aimed with precision
and each one was true to its mark;
his face was a picture of mischief
while waiting for love lights to spark.
It took but a minute happen
as energy pulsed through old veins;
they sprang from their beds and the park bench
all singing romantic refrains.
Then chaos invaded the precincts
with randy old men on the hunt;
the women folk screamed their aversion -
considered it quite an affront.
The nurses all tried to subdue them
though nothing could stem their desire;
on spindly old legs they caused mayhem,
their sexual urges on fire.
When calm had returned to the village,
exhausted each took to his bed;
the episode's not been repeated,
and most of the inmates are dead.
But Cupid still smiles to remember
the secret of which no one knew:
he'd coated the tips of the arrows
with viagra's powerful brew.
ANNIVERSARY BLUES
Our wedding anniversary; I wonder has the date
A trigger set within his mind,
So I'll have no need to remind
Him of that day we made our vows, together sealed our fate.
For weeks I've hinted, shot him clues been even heard to say,
"Oh, goodness me, this month moves fast,
The twenty-eighth soon will be past;
Do you still have the tie you wore upon our wedding day?"
I well recall the plans we made: a simple quiet affair;
No honeymoon, no parallel;
Just seven guests to wish us well;
A pleasant garden setting void of any pomp or flair.
A month before the wedding day to Sydney he was called
A conference with colleagues bright
To set the nation's workplace right:
This man whom I admired and whose life my soul enthralled.
On his return a dinner date, soft music, candlelight,
Across the table starry eyed
Our glances met, each filled with pride
But when he spoke these words to me, idyllic love took flight:
"The next tribunal conference is set for Alice Springs,
Sunday the twenty-eighth I leave,
Returning Tuesday, I believe."
His words pierced through my heart and lodged like poisoned darts and stings.
"But what about our wedding day? It seems you have forgot!
Your work comes first; I'm second rate;
My fury's roused, it won't abate!
How could you double-book on me, you thoughtless, selfish clot!"
"Calm down, let reason fill your mind, be prudent I implore!
I do confess I did forget,
But time's no problem; do not fret:
The wedding's set for noon, my plane does not take off till four!
"The ceremony won't take long we'll have to cancel lunch;
A champagne toast to married bliss,
Just one short speech, a hurried kiss,
Then leave you with the guests they're such an understanding bunch."
So. . .
What basis do I have each year to hope that this date rings
Some note of romance in his mind
Which prompts him to respond in kind
Unless, of course, if he recalls his time in Alice Springs!
TAKE ME TO BED
(Triolet)
take me to bed and cuddle me please
comfort me in my distress,
whisper kind words my fears to appease;
take me to bed and cuddle me please,
rescue my mind from turbulent seas,
bury me in your caress;
take me to bed and cuddle me please,
comfort me in my distress.
FORMER LOVES
I wonder where they are today,
Those loves of former years:
The heady days, the wilful ways,
The partings filled with tears.
I wonder if their goals attained
From seeds sown in those days:
The plans we shared, the dreams we dared
Then went our separate ways.
Id like to think those former loves
With Time past memories stir,
Without remorse my thoughts endorse
And smile at what we were.
SAILING ON HIGH
Let's sail the sky on a gold crested moon
And thrill to our childhood's lost dreams;
Ignoring pressures which stifle and curb
Let's journey to heaven's extremes.
Let's break the bind of our indentured mould,
To order and time say farewell;
With easy measure let's drift into space
Absorbed in the night's starry spell.
Across the Milky Way's spiral we'll float,
See stars we'd not known to exist
Which glow like gems from a fossicker's hoard
To sparkle at each turn and twist.
Aloft the Southern Cross beacon we'll steer
Through cloud tufts of fluffy white foam;
Exchanging smiles with the Man in the Moon
We'll board falling stars heading home.
With love renewed and hearts beating as one -
A blessing received from the skies -
We'll dance to music as played by love's strain,
The stars now aglow in our eyes.
COFFEE SHOPS
I saw a man in a coffee shop -
you just couldn't imagine his dress:
but despite his white shoes and safari suit
he looked a rather distinguished brute
and set my heart in a racing pop.
I wondered how I could catch his eye
how to move in this life game of chess;
should I saunter with poise near his table -
a clue I was willing and able,
or on other manoeuvres rely?
Maybe by knocking my cup askance
he'd be rushing to clean up the mess;
or perhaps if my napkin fell on the floor
he'd stoop to return it and more:
his hand stroke my leg just by chance.
But nothing like this occurred you see -
Cupid's arrow was aimed to digress;
so I watched as depression flooded my heart
his white shoes on safari depart,
and thought of love's cruelty to me.
Then two weeks on at my place of work
what occurred there you never could guess:
yes, this man of my dreams appeared in my sight
I knew 'twas him by his shoes so white -
and Cupid's face wore a cunning smirk.
And so derived a romantic show
he was certainly out to impress;
through the coffee shop circles we blithely roamed
drank cappuccinos which frothed and foamed,
entrusting our lives to Cupid's bow.
THE ANNIVERSARY ROSE
I'm told I'm unromantic, that I don't remember dates,
I'm lucky that she loves me, that we are best of mates.
I don't remember birthdays well, she's had enough of them;
You'd think that my forgetfulness she'd welcome, not condemn.
I'd suffered many insults and this year I must confess
I had the guilts and so my deeds proceeded to redress.
My wife had need to spend some time in Queensland's sunny north;
I waited for a week or so before I sallied forth
To meet her up in Townsville where we'd take a hire car,
drive round our childhood haunts and reminisce of days afar.
The day that I set off I knew was August 28,
the date that we were married so I didn't hesitate
To buy a single rose of red tied neatly with a bow,
imagined her surprise at this and how her eyes would glow.
I took it on the plane with me, this precious rose of red,
refused the hostie's offer that she place it overhead.
"No thank you" I politely said, "it mustn't leave my sight;
it must stay perfect till I see my wife, my life's delight."
Alighting from the plane I joined a crowd of Senior Cits,
as incognito was the go, relying on my wits.
I saw her waiting, folded arms the stance I knew so well:
her churning thoughts my mind perceived in tones clear as a bell.
"Of course he won't remember to hope would be absurd;
it's just another day to him, but I'll not say a word."
Then she looked a little worried, couldn't see me in the crowd,
so I snuck up behind her: "Happy days!" I cried out loud.
She turned; you should have seen her face: surprise, surprise, surprise!
she threw her arms around me, "You remembered!" were her cries.
She took the rose, caressed it, and told me she loved me so;
we walked on to the carousal, her eyes and face aglow.
Then on to Thrifty car hire booth the paperwork to sign -
no problems with our licences; our day was panning fine.
We'd driven for an hour or so to where we'd spend the night,
where fun times and frivolity were well within my sight.
"Where did you put the rose?" I asked. Her face paled, statuesque:
"Oh shit!" she said, "I left it there on Thrifty's office desk!"
So that's the story of my rose of red, just left to lie
upon the desk, forgotten, pushed aside to wilt and die!
Now, will I buy a rose next year? Not likely, mate, no fear;
If I recall the date, I'll celebrate it with a beer!
FORSAKEN
You say you will forsake me? Well and good.
Though passion melted long ago, we stayed
together, man and wife. Of course we could
deceive our friends; the picture we portrayed
was one of love, fulfillment of our dreams,
while inner turmoil gnawed with ruthless zeal,
like termites feasting on fine timber beams,
our spirits void, bereft of love's ideal.
So take your leave and pity me no more,
and as you lie within another's arms,
when her sweet moans have quenched your lustful score,
be weighted not by doubts or guilty qualms.
How sweet the youthful romance at its height;
How sour each lonely day and loveless night.
Age
Becomes you
Complements your charm
Dignity and passion your talents to disarm.
Each memory I hold
From our affection born
Glistens like the dewdrops
Heavy on the lawn.
I'm
Joined with you,
Kindred spirits free,
Linked as one, each day unfolds our destiny.
My love for you is strong
No fear I entertain
Only trust and confidence -
Peaceful our domain.
Quiet
Romantic
Sensuous and bold
Tender are the moments when your arms enfold.
Undying love I give
Vibrant, true and whole
Whereby you can see an
X-ray of my soul.
Years together down the track
Zephyrs blowing at our back.
