DIAGNOSIS
The Doctor explained
I had branches in my
peripheral right lobe
quite triangular in shape
with well defined margins
and a tree-in bud appearance.
I told him I had been a gardener almost all my life and was familiar with these
symptoms and further explained that the buds would not open and bloom until the spring time around the same time as the formal hedge would need a trim.
Avie.
WETA
I surprised you
when I told you
I was terrified
of wetas after the time
I discovered one
under the flower pot.
We laughed out loud
when I said it would
be the most unpleasant
thing imaginable
to find one
tickling my feet at the
bottom of the bed
and I could never
pick one up
without thinking I had dislocated its leg.
You thought
Wetas were cute
I'd forgotten you
kept a pet tarantula
a rat called Tom
and a python
in your bedroom
weirdo.
Avie.
MYNYDD DDU (BLACK MOUNTAIN)
Ancient stones skeleton
the back bone
along the cat's back(Crib y Gath)
the patchwork globe
rises and falls steeply
over hills and waterfall.
In the distance
a silver serpent
gleams in the sun
appearing to go nowhere
the ash branch
shadows a field
grey fingers point
to a falcons eye
punished blackthorn lean
undignified yet
hold the beauty and
defy the bleakness
of every view.
Avie.
SCAR ROCK (HEREFORDSHIRE)
Tumbling down
the moss green slide
under the crack of foot
deep in the shadows
of the brittle wood.
Tree serpents rise
from the darkness
out of the blaze
still anchored to
the ancient seed that
unfolded the first green light.
Roots wrestle in thorn
and bramble widespread
in rage of forest flame
the colour of the salmon
that swim in the deep
and shallows for the fisherman and poacher
who pass this precarious way along the steep banks
of the river Wye and the lovers
who carve their names
to grow old with the oak
in the hour before
the fading light.
Avie.
WARRIOR OF FERN
It was the gentle serene
that caused me to stand there
I have yet to understand
the intimacy.
She appeared from
the floral flame
a flax speared
the green startle
the sharp sway cut her naked breast as she bathed her
battle wounds in the moist
allure deep in the fearless
shade of the immortal leaf.
At a second glance
all that remained of her bravery was in the sensual
scent of flowers
the secrets of her weapons
shone beneath the moonlight
pearls along the shoreline.
Avie.
Talking Of Witches
With all your charms
you asked if I believed
In witches
I said no
unaware that you had
earlier weaved a spell.
I think you believed me
when I told you
I was a good wizard.
Avie.
SOME
Some
walk in and stay a while
some
come and go
some
walk in and walk
straight out
some
peer through the glass
from peripheral gardens
some
walk along the garden path
someone is here
to stay
It's you.
Avie.
RECONCILIATION
If I hadn't
seen a recent
photograph
we could have walked
past each other in the street
total strangers
we might have already
what are the odds?
Isn't it funny
how time
can do this
to old friends
funny that
but mostly
sad.
Avie.
LAKE FERRY
WAIRARAPA NZ
Swan dry Fisherman
lined up in a row
on the edge of
the stoney dark shore
heavy under foot
strewn with fish heads and gulls.
Driftwood the size of giant white trees
some charred black from
camp fires
rubbed by the saline claw
of sand and pebble
a cold silver
sky full of
rugged beauty
the colour of fish scales.
The woman sits
on a deck chair
her net is set
she waits for time and
wishes to lure the
flow of the silvery
eyed catch.
Avie.
