She stands alone
Sunday 22 February, 2009 - 13:48




she stands alone

before the gateway

to the aged care facility

gathering the tatters

of her motherhood

to face them down

these adult children

who have grown beyond

her parenting authority


(c) Merlene Fawdry





Saturday 21 February, 2009 - 18:53



My mother waits




my mother now has

that peace she sought

when we were young

where she waits patiently;

faded sepia

in an old photo album

pages unturned



(c) Merlene Fawdry






Friday 20 February, 2009 - 18:45




Aftermath



she sat waiting

for that first meeting

after the ceasefire

of the mud slinging

blinking her eyes open

mouth caked shut

wondering

how to cleanse

the filth of angry words

and if the stain

would remain forever

to mar their relationship



(c) Merlene Fawdry




Fragile Minds
Thursday 19 February, 2009 - 18:36



Fragile minds

bend

with the winds of life

seeking respite

in gentle breezes

a haven from

the cyclonic forces

that threaten frail resolve



(c) Merlene Fawdry

Bi-polar
Monday 16 February, 2009 - 18:48




Bi-polar disorder

the new order nomenclature

for manic depression

that wild swing

between polar extremes

from mania to depression

once better understood

when labelled clearly


(c) Merlene Fawdry




Right
Sunday 15 February, 2009 - 12:03




If each of us is right

as we are

in our opposing

points of view

can we agree to differ

and put ego aside

secure

in the inner knowledge

of our superior belief





(c) Merlene Fawdry

13 February 2009, 6:56:58 PM
More of Gran




Gran arrives

ankles gasping for air

above the authority

of her laced up

pointy toed shoes

walking stick keeping rhythm

with metal heel protectors

from behind Mum's skirts

we offer her up

for her mother's inspection



(c) Merlene Fawdry


My grandmother's confessional
12 February 2009, 2:14:59 PM

My grandmother's confessional




the smell of coal gas

alien in that hydro powered state

added to her exotica

as she held court

in her step-down kitchen

giant bosoms suspended

over impossibly small

corseted waist

draining her teacup

she paused

pinkie extended

in exaggerated salute to etiquette

as she surveyed

the damp leaves

that rested against the eggshell china

then looked my way

one eyebrow raised

above all knowing eyes

and I begged for absolution



(c) Merlene Fawdry