Reality

Reality hits home
when texts are received
and while we can reply
via impersonal media
we cannot speak
or visit
or see
except for planned excursions

Who will you be a human to?

(thanks to Primo Levi)

Who will you be a human to
this year?
Just one (or more) will do:
to remind him or her or them
of their humanity
by your humanity
One human being
being human to
another human being
so they can be human too

© Peter Bean

“Make do, wherever you are, whoever you are”

(Billy Doo)

Will you make do?
Will you accept
whatever comes your way?
Will you rise above
the troubles and distress?
Will you realise
what is inside you?
Will you inspire
those who see who you are
and who you have become?
Will you make do?

©P eter Bean

From Black And White To Colour

Stand by a river flowing strongly
Marvel at the night sky
Be dazzled by the lightning
Awed by the thunder

Appreciate the colours of the wild flowers
Stare at the cliffs in wonder
Let sand run through your finger
Enjoy the rhythmic cadence of the waves

Capture the greens and browns
Of a walk in nature
Savour the breaching of a whale
Or the frolicking of a dolphin

Hug the mountain ash
Admire the river red gums
Allow the sand dunes of the desert
To enfold you in their arms

Swap your black and white
Sterile office world
For the colourful enlivening
That creation brings

An Average Year

(on 2010)

Drought plus flood divided by two
equals average, the old timers say
Across our nation, then,
we’ve had a fairly average year
dry and dusty,
hot and burning,
snow and rain,
record floods
this is just the last week.

And while some, or possibly all,
of these events
are out of the ordinary,
together, in the equation,
they are average.

So we get on with our lives
rowing down the main street,
experiencing a white Christmas,
fearing the summer northerlies,
and marvelling at how we survived
another average year.

© Peter Bean

Stopping

The world rushes by
as all we do
is absorb

the sights
the sounds
the smells

feelings relaxed
as time is no burden
no demands are made

except
to stop
and enjoy the moment

* * * * * * * *

Creative juices flow
when
body and brain rest

© Peter Bean

Nesting Birds

Fiercely protective
they swoop
with no regard

for shape or size
for character or
personality

Protecting their young
raison d'être
for living

Are we not the same?
And if not
is there not

a defecting gene
or malfunction
in our brain?

Senses Stimulated

Aromas
float across
the morning air

Citronella coils
Mocha Kenya coffee
gentle breeze of fresh air

Sounds
delight as
birds sing & screech

Echoing
their morning choruses
in treetop delight

Sights
in every direction
ferns & gums intermingling

Leaves rustling
birds flittering
in and out of sight

Renewal

I feel it
in the lightness of your walk
I hear it
in the enjoying tone of your voice
I see it
in the sparkle of your eyes
I taste & smell it
in the air & in your touch
as you experience love again
the acceptance of
who you are
as you are
where you are

Going where I’d rather not go

(John 21:18)

Unknown
Scary
Exciting
Fearful
Challenging
Confident
Plethora of emotions rise
Yet the unknown is what
Brings blessings to the already known
And extends capabilities
And provides opportunities
To look
Beyond the fence
Of ignorance
To the fields
Of growth and life
Of change and challenge
Of trust and promise

Bare Feet

Bare feet connect us
with earth
with creation
with creative flowings

Bare feet allow us
to experience freedom
to breathe anew
to read lightly

Bare feet challenge us
they are countercultural
they are smooth and soft
they are not de rigeur

Bare feet provide us
with spring
with hope
with comfort

Bare feet are real

Working together

Arms flying
Going which way
No-one knows

But slowly
They cease their
Windmilling

So order
Restored all round
Peace again