There is the empty chapel, only the wind’s home.
It has no windows, and the door swings,
~
in so many ways
we
are broken
a glance
at the newspapers
brings a shudder
and confirmation
royal sex scandals
sporting lies
and tantrums
the ill health
of a nation . . .
of the world
the perversity
of governments
distresses
of the helpless
so many ways
to be broken
but outside
it is morning
the early sun streams –
golden –
across the backyard lawn
cockatoos –
my harvest nemesis –
are gathered as a flock
at the foot
of the plum tree
picking over old spoils
to find undamaged
kernels
in the grass
the air
is full of light
and flight
and buzz
not everything –
it seems –
is suffering
no
and neither
am I
my society . . .
my country . . .
the outside world
may indeed
be broken
and corrupted
in fundamental ways
but
I
and my home
my simple backyard
and the pleasures
that it brings me
are whole
~
I love, love, love this one! It is now in my “Poems for Troubled Times” folder. Bravo!!!
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I’m delighted and honoured Liz. Thank youj.
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You’re welcome, Frank.
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Oh, what a good idea Liz. Frank, it is beautiful and would cheer a troubled soul, or starve the “Poor me” mood.
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Thanks!
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Sounds lovely
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Have to remember that home is wherever I’m standing, Cheryl.
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Wonderful perspective and reminders there, Frank! Simple pleasures of the backyard cannot be overstated.
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It’s like having the magnifying lens retreat from the wide world and find everything needed is right here.
Nice.
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Perfectly expressed, Frank. What a blessing our gardens have been; the birds, ants, bees and flowers do not care what humans are up to. Hang out the washing, dig a flower bed and forget the outside world.
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Cheers Janet. Yes, the whole world of existence that happens right in front of us. I’m currently indulging myself by taking close-up pictures of insects in the garden.
A bit eccentric, but still . . .
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Hope springs eternal Frank 🙂
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It do, Debby. It do!
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So powerful, and I too am whole! Love this, you’re an amazingly gifted writer 👏
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Thank you, Lisa. Demanding times we are all living through. It’s easy (for me) to lose track of the things that are always good in life.
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I think most of the world is feeling like this.
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Here’s hoping the less broken side of things gets a better run into the future.
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I hope so too Frank
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This is a great poem, Frank. Very uplifting.
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Thank you, Robbie. It’s time for a little hope, I think.
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