Happiness

Happiness is the absence of anxiety.
Happiness is to adjust peacefully.
Happiness is what is successful.
We make our days.
Happiness is the creation of minds.
You wish happiness.
The happy man averts negativity.
Heaven is hard to achieve.
The rich can buy happiness.
Precious moments fill an empty glass.
An open mind is best.
Appreciate your blessings.
The purpose of life is life.
To live is the purpose of life.
You find happiness only with your eyes closed.
Happy is he who contemplates.
(From Joe lake’s Basic Aphorisms)

Images Of Ellie

Whatever had I done! Oh, I really didn’t know
Images of Ellie lying in the snow
It wasn’t really thoughts that lead Ellie back to mind
Thoughts of that day were all but left behind
Coldness numbs my toes but I burn with guilty shame
Why did I leave Ellie, alone in the lane?
Did I turn my back and just walk out of sight
Or was it something more sinister, did Ellie and I fight?
Now there is no place, no sanctuary I can go
Always in my head Ellie lies in the snow.
I’ve put it many ways and turned it inside out
But Ellie’s death was my fault, of that I have no doubt.
For my memories are clearing and I shall watch again
A flash of sharpened silver above a seeping crimson stain
As was Ellie’s wish, I turned by back to go
The only image in my head, Ellie lying in the snow...
© Lauren Hay

The Old Draconian School System, Part 1

To many, school in the 50s and 60s was a place to play,
A place for the studios;
A place for cleanliness and the ability to regurgitate;
but for others, like me, it was a place of hell,
A place of contrast, a place we learnt our place in society.
Children proud of their fathers
Who were trappers, farmers and truck drivers (truckies)
Were soon taught that such occupations were frowned on.
What one learnt at home, and was often concreted
Into the minds of the older generation,
Was sometimes in contrast to what was taught at school.
Many old books praised Stalin,
Whilst teachers of the 50s and 60s talked
Vehemently of his atrocities.
We were taught about our great, proud nation
With its White Australia Policy and its universal voting;
We were taught about the wrongs
Of apartheid in South Africa;
We were taught about the atrocities in Germany;
We were taught to be proud of our
Queen and country and God; our protectors.
We were never taught about our atrocities
Towards our Aborigines.
We denigrated their existence.
This was the time of perceived white supremacy.
Thank God the old Draconian system is only
A haunting memory in some ageing Australians.
I wonder how many descendants of Aborigines or Chinese
Cringe at such sentiment -
How many felt that they were betraying their ancestors
By the denial of their school days?
© Judy Brumby-Lake

Julia Awakes

Awaking in the morning
and looking at my love,
my read-haired, dearest Julia,
my lovely fair-skinned dove;
Prime Minister and bed mate,
we’ll keep the status quo:
you will do the talking
wherever we may go.
But I’ll be in the background
to ensure that when you face
the public or the media,
that ev’ry hair’s in place.
In Parliament or kitchen,
my dear, please be assured,
that whatever the occasion,
you're perfectly coiffured.
For your hair is my creation,
its tints and glints and gleams,
these lovely Titian tresses
that thrill me in my dreams.
Now, dearest Julia, it’s clear
as your nightie is transparent -
if you are now the Sovereign,
then I’m the Heir Apparent.
© Mary Kille

Entanglement

Defining quantum theory’s obscure traits
That prove a particle’s entanglement
At light years’ distance; act as one, and states
That they react the same to measurement.
So, if we change the quantum state of one,
The other particle reacts the same;
What Einstein called "A spooky action", done;
But is this all perception in a game?
Is free will but the measurement one takes;
Or is the quantum theory false, unreal;
Or are our lives’ perceptions really fakes;
Or are the faster speeds than light for real?
Entanglement appears in you and me,
When we are one for everyone to see.
© Joe Lake (From Songs Of Science, 2010)

Soapbox

Like Diogenes, who was so unimpressed by wealth and power
That he refused to bow down to Alexander the Great
When he visited Corinth. I too am true to myself!
Why can’t people see who I really am, appreciate me for the woman I am,
Respect my values - like those of that noted Greek philosopher?
Not that I aim to live in a tub, as he was reported to do!
Throughout life, I’ve been misjudged, misunderstood and patronised -
It's so frustrating! I’m comfortable with myself and I believe in myself -
So why can’t others believe in me too?
I’m on my soapbox now and yet I shouldn’t have to be!
The burning question is - when someone is treated badly,
Can that person forgive and forget?
After all, when unkind words are uttered or a wrongful deed is done,
Surely the memory of that never completely leaves -
It’s as if a record player’s needle is stuck, round and round it goes -
Or as if a movie camera constantly rolls in our minds,
Shooting the same old scene.
© June Maureen Hitchcock July 18 2010