Sign of Life Poem by Cara Alson

Sign of Life

Taxi at a standstill

surrounded by pedestrians

crushed fifteen deep

drooling monsters

straining to glimpse

a pedestrian trapped

under the wheels

no sign of life

Rescue arrives but

can’t get through

the monsters won’t budge

might miss something

the last twitch of life

“He must’ve been a drunk”

they shake their heads

oh, look at the time..

have an appointment..

shoes on sale..

must be going..

On their way

to busy lives

in a busy city

too busy to weep

for a poor soul crushed

under the wheels

no sign of life

Copyright 2001

Balding Men Poem by Cara Alson

Echoes in Time

Girls in ponytails

huddled on the sand

sipped icy sodas

listened to the radio

flirted with lifeguards

dreamt of lives

they’d never have

Boys with peach-fuzz chins

played beach volleyball

ran in the surf

showed off their tans

dreamt of lives

they’d never have

White-haired ladies

huddle around the table

brag about grandchildren

play cards

replay memories and

missed opportunities

they’ll never have again

Balding men

sit by the pool

baste in the sun

play cards

replay memories and

missed opportunities

they’ll never have again

Bright sunlight

chatter and laughter

blue-green water

choppy in the

summer breeze

Days pass

dreams go by

the rhythm of life

plays on

edging towards

another tomorrow

Copyright 2001

Butterscotch Cat Poem by Cara Alson

Cara Alson

Butterscotch Cat

Butterscotch cat

stretched out

in the dusty road

napping in the sun

ears alert

tail twitching

A car rattles

up the road

slowing, no room to

go around the

butterscotch cat

The car stops

inches away,

the patient driver

staring at the

butterscotch cat

Slitted eyes glaring

head slowly lifting

letting out a

heavy sigh

rising with a

flick of his tail

Begrudgingly

the calico cat

gives up

his place

in the sun

Copyright 2002

The tide turns (Kalbarri) Poem by David Barnes

Sea-weed half exposed washes
across sharp serrated rocks —
sways and swirls, sways effortlessly,
slips against, over them, indifferent
as tawny coiled sea-snakes twist
in rapid frenzied motion with the sea —
shadows that fade at dusk, submerge
unharmed with the tide.

© debarnes August 2003 -06
***

Shadows and Mist Poem by David Barnes

David Barnes

Shadows and Mist at South Perth

Mists shroud the paperbark copse walkway ahead, and
the swan river behind. At the same time, the high crest
of Kings Park is as vivid as a spring sky. Ahead,
head-hunters hide among the trees and shadows. Behind,
wraith slayers dart, ferries loom.
What use is distant clarity?

© debarnes August -23rd / September 2003 -03
***