More abstract art… the break from poetry continues.
Tame The Butterfly
Another drawing and then the same drawing playing around with color and text.
Which do you think is better?
Art
This is the second in a series of artwork I’ve been working on during the Canberra covid lockdown.
I would love some feedback good or bad so share your thoughts if you have them.
Something Different
I’ve been taking a break from poetry, mostly because I have been relatively content.
For me no pain no poetry is certainly the case.
Corona is raging again in my city of Canberra, Australia so being locked in I’ve found myself with a lot of spare time.
At some point I got inspired to do some drawing and to play around with photo shop. Stuff like this was the result…
I would love to have some feedback, comment, like and follow if you’re a fan.
Guest Post
I am stoked to say that one of my poems, ‘Breathe Deep, Seek Peace’ is featured on Ashley O’Melias blog.
You can check it out here:
Ashley O’Melia, Author | A garden of wild thoughts in straight little rows
If you enjoy the poem or Ashley’s site leave a comment and let us know.
Charles Bukowski
Every Friday I share a poem that I love and that inspires me. Today it’s Bukowski who taught me that poetry doesn’t have to be pretty and rhyming.
I’ve read a lot his poetry and this is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Would love to know your thoughts on the poem and Bukowski in general.
Reds Release
A little spark of goodness.
20/07/2021
It was Reds discharge
The name they give
To a beating administered
The day before release
A jail tradition
Brutal and barbaric…
As word got around
Beloved as he was
The yard put him through hell
“You ready for your discharge mate?”
He was visibly shaken
When the hour came
They packed into his cell
To his immense credit
He faced it well,
Shaped up
Ready for the fight
They said “It’s time”
And in a gesture
I’ll never forget
Instead of a black eye
They gave him a group hug
Sometimes jail can surprise you
God bless those boys
God bless Red
God bless us all
That made it through
With a memory or two
That shows it’s not all
Doom and gloom
—
This is a true story; Red was a good friend of mine and probably the funniest person I ever met locked up without being a clown. The whole thing shows that there is at least a little spark of goodness in an otherwise hostile and volatile place.
Realm
God bless the modern-day kings and queens of the realm.
18/7/2021
The king of the realm
Must be fearless,
Thoughtful and strong
Ruthless and wise
It’s not about being the fastest
The strongest or the smartest
Though he is all those things
What makes him king is his mentality,
It’s not enough to just be the king
He must feel like the king
Live like the king
Dream like the king
The realm deserves
A ruler that loves
His people and his power
Does not lament the lack
Of ordinary anonymity
But thrives on conquest
And defense of his subjects
His knights
Are the loyal sword of his will
And through them he rules
With fortitude and valor
There are those
That would seek to overthrow
Poison and clandestine daggers
Haunt his steps
But he is cunning
Rewards loyalty with wealth
Status and finery
So that there is always someone
Looking over his shoulder
He carries a weight
In his actions that is
A blessing and a curse
But his life is a celebration
Of all that can be
So God bless the regent
And the wisdom he brings
To wield power isn’t easy
And all hail the king
—
This one was a response to a prompt, largely inspired by the movie ‘The Gentleman’, the book ‘The Prince’ by Machiavelli and a random Mike Tyson quote.
It’s a little different from my usual stuff but I hope it is welcomed for being so.
God bless the modern-day kings and queens of the realm.
FOWC with Fandango — Realm ‹ This, That, and The Other ‹ Reader — WordPress.com
Lifer
Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself.
17/07/2021
It was a risk
When he threw the first punch
The biggest guy in the yard
The meanest too
It was damned if you do
Damned if you don’t
Let it slide and he would look weak
Take action and risk a beating
Instinct took over
Caught the bully off guard
Throwing haymakers for a few
Powerful moments
Connecting with some
Then easing off
Surprised himself
That his temper had flared
Jail politics kicked in
They couldn’t fight in the yard
Had to go to a cell
Where the screws can’t see
In truth it was the last thing
The lad wanted to do
Locked in a confined space
With a 6’4″psychopathic lifer
But the risk if he didn’t
Get moved to strict protection
With the rock spiders and dogs
So, he manned up
Entered the cell and locked the door
Took a beating
Blood splattered up the wall
The violence done
A strange comradery emerges
Between combatants
A trip to the hospital
A week in confinement
And just another day
In the life of a convict
—
This is a true story, the protagonist is myself and the lifer someone I did a lot of time with and would later call a mate.
It was strange, after the fight I got a lot more respect and inmates that had never given me the time of day wanted to buddy on.
I find that anticipation of a fight is worse than the actual thing, the only real down side was explaining a black eye to my family at visits.
Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself.
Kindness and Comradery
Life is a breathtaking miracle.
17/07/2021
Relax, you’re in a dream
In the soothing waters
Of companionship and content
Let my words guide you
Get inside you and heal
Any and all pain,
Any drama that remains
Feel the prisons of the mind
Come crumbling, tumbling down
Feel the fear and apprehension
Dissolve in the light
Of love, kindness and comradery
For we are all brothers and sisters
Every life connected
And every action resonates
For years down the line
Take pride in your decisions
Make your choices sing
Like a bird that brightens the day
And the joy that nature brings
Build your tower of thought
Into a mighty fortress
Where all are welcome
To feel sanguine and safe
Forgive yourself
For things you’d rather forget
Love yourself completely
And be forever at peace
We’ll all float on
Til it’s our time to go
We all make mistakes
And mistakes help us grow
Stand firm young apprentice
Be strong, be fearless
Life will challenge you
Life will test you
Life will surprise you
Life will reward you
Life is..
Amazing,
Mind blowing
Intense
So give thanks and enjoy
Forever until the end
—
I realized that my last post was a little depressing so I thought I’d balance it out with some positive energy. I hope this poem is a balm for anyone doing it tough and pours some goodness into the world.
Sometimes it helps to remember that life is a breathtaking miracle, unfathomably vast and complex and full of great beauty as well as great sadness.
At the end of the day what’s left but to give thanks and enjoy your time on planet Earth.
