He looks from the mirror

You look at me jealously
With a smirk on your face
I think you're my brother
Who had fallen from grace

That is putting it lightly
Every task you would meet
Whatever you would touch
Fell ruined at your feet

All the money that you made
Paid for pleasures alone
When the bills all came in
Cash for those you had none

So I learned so much from you
Though you've gone heavenward
I value that fine lesson
It still pricks like a sword

Your smug face in the mirror
Does reflect every day
For money you receive
Do not squander away

Image found at http://www.nickcerda.org/whos-looking-at-you-in-the-mirror/

The children watched her

The children watched her
And she watched them too
As the mixture of play
And learning began that day

Would the boy with red hair
Stand behind a barber's chair

And the girl with eyes so green                 

Be actress on the movie screen?           

Blunt scissors, crayons, paint                    

Shapes drawn bold or sometimes faint   

Budding artist or engineer                         

Filling the page without a fear                 

Telling tales in the school                         

At home playing in a pool                        

Learning numbers one to ten                    

Head bent, hand now holding pen                      

Seeing kids’ knowledge grow                   

Creative minds emerging slow                 

Then one seeking much more to know   

Knowing they will have far to go               

Years pass you meet them again             

How they’ve grown, a small stab of pain 

“Thanks Miss you really were the best”
An inward smile, you've passed he test

Image found at www.123magic.com

After the break up

She knew she was right and that she had to give Paul up as they just weren't going anywhere; to tell the truth he was boring.

He was devastated of course as he had planned on being with Nicky for ever having a beautiful wedding with her on his arm in all the wedding photos.

She relaxed after the break up and started going out with the girls again to nightclubs and getting really smashed.

That was fine until one night one particularly anxious creep would not take no for an answer and was waiting for her on her way home.

When she resisted he roughed her up  and smacked her around the face and left her sobbing on the ground by a street light.

Laying there on a bed in casualty she wept tears of regret and wished she hadn't ditched Paul all those months ago.

Image found at www.angelrtalk.com

Avoiding Split Decisions

Listen to me now

Attend to the words I say

Echoes may be false

 

Sure, follow your dreams

But life is a spider’s web

You are but a fly

 

Shuttle to and fro

Pulverize your enemy

Somehow stay intact

 

Clear every hurdle

There’s no level playing field

Use any means you can

A short bio

Blinking and crying

Watching and laughing

Learning and competing

Eying and wondering

Running and playing

Fumbling and romancing

Absorbing and working

Wooing and promising

Praying and thanking

Rejoicing and changing

Sitting and basking

Giving and losing

Tiring and changing

Grieving and despairing

Slowing and dying

Broken Promises

Do you think do then

You have legitimate cause

To steal my poor heart?

 

What ego have you then

To play with me when I’m down

To promise nothing?

 

I’ve traveled that road

And suffered damaging lies

No, not any more

Winking

Many, many years ago when the world was young… No, that’s not right, when I was young perhaps; things were so different. This was England just after WW2 and I was a callow youth…almost. There was no TV, but radios were big, in size and more often stationary and definitely not portable. Other entertainment was mainly spontaneous and related to the many youth and social clubs one could belong to. Where have those games gone we played then? Postman’s knock, Spin the bottle and my biggest dread, Winking were all regularly played but it was Winking that was my greatest fear.

In those sexist years the idea was for boys to stand behind a chair on which sat a girl and the boy with the empty seat would have to choose a seated nymph and wink at her to entice her to leave her protector and come to you. She had no choice in theory but to get up and walk to your seat, but might be slow to react if she was more than happy with the guardian behind her and liked the feel of his hands on her shoulders. He was not allowed to touch her and restrain with his hands unless she made to get up and leave him. It was a great laugh and much enjoyed by all that played the game…except me.

Winking was not a great skill of mine and foolishly I tended to choose a girl that was the most attractive. Sadly her guardian felt that way too and quickly pounced and restrained her should she make to move. So this inept winker spent many frustrating minutes in enticing one nubile teenager away.

Rules could be changed and a discreet kiss might be permitted for winning males but in the main I remained girl-less, winless and kiss-less unless a sympathetic belle mistaking my awkward wink sitting adjacent to the recipient of my plea would jump up unrestrained and walk calmly over to me.

I was never so happy as when this happened and basking in the pride of my success, I dreaming, would quickly lose her again. The lesson I failed to learn then was, that the choice of girl was so very important. As I was weed I should have chosen a wallflower, as her protector may well have wanted to release her and home in on his real love, who was probably desperate for him to look her way. Sadly, my more astute years will come much later...I hope it is soon.

Whales sighted on the way to Gannet Island (No 37)

The continuing story of Ahu and Ahuahu her husband in a Maori village in Aotearoa before European settlement of New Zealand.

There was harmony in the extended family of Ahu, Ahuahu, Hatiti and their four children. The children were all happy as nothing had changed for them. Both Ahu and Hatiti were happy they both had a husband who loved them who was gentle and kind and tried not to show favour to either of them. Ahuahu worked hard to provide for his extended family but he did feel the pressure of being pulled at by everyone, not only his wives but also by Kamaka who kept asking whether his daughter Hatiti was with child again as he wanted a grandson.

As winter approached Ahuahu told the village headman he should travel north to see if the annual migration of whales had started so that they could capture one if it beached in one of the coves north of their village. This would provide the village with blubber for oil and meat for drying and bones for weapons and carving in the quieter winter months. He thought about going with Kamaka but he did not want the whole of the journey being chided by him for not getting Hatiti pregnant.

The village chief asked if he would take his eldest son Paikea whose name meant Tame Whale. “He should bring you luck” said the chief, “and his eyes are sharp.”

Ahuahu laughed “He does not need good eyes to spot a whale but I will gladly take him.”

“If we get close to Gannet Island village we should tell them too so they may share in the rewards,” said Ahuahu “May I approach them on your behalf?”

The chief looked a bit concerned and said “But if we find one first surely it is ours.”

“We do not want to get into an inter village skirmish when so much of the catch will be wasted in any case. The sea birds will even be pecking at us while we are harvesting the catch so we do not need strife from our neighbours as well.”

“That is what I like about you Ahuahu you plan things out. Paikea listen well to Ahuahu you will learn valuable lessons from him.”

They left early and although they could see signs of whales on the horizon none were close to shore. They had made their way over the hills and far out to sea they could see a small pod breeching and few mothers protecting their calves.

“There is nothing close enough for the moment we will go on to Gannet Island and I will pay my respects to them and call on a friend of mine Hi’ilei from so many years ago.”

Paikea the chief’s son nodded and so they descended through the wooded area close to shore. When they emerged, Gannet Island was visible with countless birdlife circling the island and diving into the sea in the rich fishing grounds.

“If this is where you lived why did you leave, Ahuahu? Fishing would be so easy here.”

“The best thing about this village is that is where I found Ahu and married her. But I am happier at Black Sands, Paikea, even though the fish do not jump into the boat by themselves as they do here! We will pay our respects in the village then I will see if I can find my old friend Hi’ilei. Let us see what reception we will get. Do not offer any information when we speak.”

The boy nodded in reply. They approached the chief’s house and dutifully greeted him and his companions.

“What brings you here Ahuahu?”

“This is Paikea our head man’s son. I have been asked to show him the country between our villages. We did not think we would reach this far north so quickly, but he is young and walks fast. But now that I am here I would also like to meet with my old friend Hi’ilei who was not well the last time I saw him. How is he?”

“Alas he is with our ancestors now and has been there for over a year.” Here the chief indicated the direction of the burial ground.

“I am grieved to hear that. Then I will talk, if I may to Kiri his widow and give her my wife’s greetings.” He said.”

“Again the chief shook his head. “She and the children have long gone she does not live here anymore.”

Ahuahu felt that he had not been told the whole story but as it would be rude to continue the conversation, he merely thanked the chief for his welcome and said that Ahu his wife would be saddened.

“It will be dark before we get back to Black Sands we should start back soon.” Surprisingly there was no protest at this with a request to eat with them so Ahuahu once again thanked the chief for his welcome and Paikea did likewise and they left the way they had come.

As they approached the beach once again a young girl ran after them, “Ahuahu, Ahuahu” she called. They stopped and turned and a pretty girl of 12 or more years came up to them. “Do you remember me, Ahuahu?”

“Moana, I remember you. Only you say my name as you do. You fetched me when I was fishing on the rocks when Ahu was having her first baby. It is good to see a friendly face here. I will tell Ahu I have spoken to you.”

They all sat down on the sand now while Paikea stared intently at Moana.

“Do you want to tell me something, Moana?” asked Ahuahu.

“Take me with you; I do not like it here anymore.”

“What has happened?”

“They are planning to attack the Rocky Outcrop settlement again”

“How do you know this?”

Moana pulled the hair from ears grinning “Look how big they are, I hear everything.”

Ahuahu laughed but then was serious “This is not good news Moana. We cannot take you. They would think we have stolen you and there would be fighting between our villages too. Later on if you are in real danger run away and head south to our village. But do not mention this to anyone at all and do not say you have spoken to us.”

Moana nodded in agreement. She then looked at Paikea and said “I am Moana.”

Paikea who was only about 15 himself said, “My name is Paikea”.

“I will remember you”, she nodded shyly and reluctantly lowered her eyes.

They then got up, Ahuahu went up to Moana and gave her a hug and let their faces touch then they went their own ways. Later as they walked on the bluff overlooking the sea Paikea said “You did not mention the whales to the chief.”

“No. That seemed an unwise thing to talk about. But I will explain to your father that we should handle them by ourselves if there are any.”

Paikea was silent for a bit but then said. “Moana was very pretty…and strong and bold.”

Ahuahu laughed. “Don’t worry, you won’t have you rescue her, she will find us if she has to but she is too young to marry yet.”

“Don’t tell my father what I just said about her.”

“We didn’t see her, Paikea. There are much more important things we have to tell him”

“Even though I didn’t see her, I will not forget her, I wanted to hug her too Ahuahu.”