preparing for my journey to New Zealand, i am re-reading 'Backroads' by Sam Hunt
and looking at
paintings by Colin McCahon & Doris Lusk
Ralph Hotere
going through my notes
of time passed there in times past
rummaging in notebooks i find this sketch
made with pencil at Te Papa museum [no cameras allowed]
and later embellished with watercolour
while taking coffee at Midnight Expresso
up on Cuba Street [Wellington]
the colours far wilder than the original
and then i make a few other notes. a bit closer to home.
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CLOUDLAND, OR SMOKE ALARM
I’m not yet quite sure
which.
LONG BEFORE PA FORGOT REMEMBRANCE
HE MADE THE CHOICE TO LOOK AWAY
NOW HE WANDERS, SMOKE AND MIRRORS
ASKS MY MOTHER IF I AM RELATED TO HER
NOTICING THAT WE LOOK LIKE PEBBLES OR
SOME DAISIES IN THE GRASS
PERHAPS TWO PLASTIC BAGS
BLOWING IN ON THE BREEZE
ON HIS BIRTHDAY I TOOK A CAKE
TO THE CELL HE NOW INHABITS, MONASTICALLY TIDY
ONE SHOE, A TOOTHBRUSH AND A VIEW INTO TREES
A PHOTO OF MY BROTHER
THEY WOULDN’T LET ME BURN THE CANDLES
INSUFFICIENT CAKE TO FEED THE FIREMEN WHO WOULD COME
RUNNING, CALLED BY RINGING BELLS
NOW PREPARING FOR A JOURNEY TO
CLOUDY ISLANDS EAST OF HERE
I READ BY THE SMOKE OF RESIN
GATHERED ON A WESTERN COAST
CYPRESS FOG DRIFTS ACROSS THE PAGE
GOOD THING I GUTTED THE SMOKE ALARM
December
27, 2012
I so love New Zealand...and I am sorry about the lack of candles...sometimes laws are made to just frustrate one. Happy New Year and I wish you Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand sounds like an amazing place to visit. I was so instantly drawn by the name of your blog... Enjoy, have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteMy Sweet Darling cares for those without candles - although they wander, they too are not always lost. Live in each moment, another world [not unlike this one]
ReplyDeleteHappy trails India,
Carol
What a beautiful poem. I see your father and I also see your mother. My heart sighs as I see a lot of love. It's a consolation that love dwells in the heart.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry...
ReplyDeletememories come and go
sometimes all we can do is remind people
that we still care
Your words made me cry.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!!
ReplyDelete