... that everybody is trying to understand after unwrapping…
Christmas Greetings
Have a super time with family and friends.
The Christmas Gift …
My Poems
Posts that contain my poems
Nothing Doing – a response to the wanton Ukraine destruction
Nothing Doing on a visit to a dying nun and again seeing the rubble of some impossible buildings people are emerging through the tangled mess probably a three-year-old girl her left hand holds a tatty bear her right hand is held tight by her mother the camera focuses on her face her eyes vacant, expressionless someone in the nursing-home presses the remote the screen blanks nothing she is propped up by two cushions prepared for my visit she gives a gentle smile as blue eyes spark into life her frail hand motions to the chair by her bed I think it sad that she will leave this world in such a hopeless state soon she will be silent her body gone nothing but when Russians fire their bullets she will be there in her nothing bleeding her impervious spirit while holding the hand of a three-year-old girl Richard Scutter July 2022
The image of the child portrayed in the above was from TV news footage several months back.
‘Floating’ – Marking the 21st Anniversary – SIEV X Tragedy
Each pole represents a death, the height distinguishes between adults and children.
Floating early morning sunshine brightens enlightening the wide expanse bobbing gently up and down in calm waters, a dead mother with umbilical cord still attached to her baby far, far away over the waves in a totally foreign land it is breakfast time as a politician sips coffee and reaches for another piece of toast certain that his decisions are right Richard Scutter October 2022 Although the ACT government supported the installation of the memorial, the National Capital Authority were placed in an awkward position as it was strongly opposed by the government of the time. Permission was withheld for a year, and in an act of defiance, 2,000 Canberrans joined the 300 artists, church, and school groups and in a special ceremony held the memorial up by hand for five minutes.
Some ‘Reunion’ Words
Travelling back, going forward (at the village reunion) Of course you can’t go back, the mind plays tricks distorting, colouring at will, and you imagine what it will be like - to meet up again. But nothing prepares you for the actuality of that first encounter. There will be some you haven’t seen for fifty years along with some that you will never see again. You accept that initial shock of change before recognition and the acknowledgment of ‘yes it is him, or her’. Then it is the past living again, the past that attaches irrevocably, continuously, the past you can’t escape from. Someone says ‘do you remember’ and you likewise retort ‘do you remember!’ each triggering. And they are here now, with you again. Their memories coalesced with your understanding. The way it was. And smiles broaden in the wake of rekindled friendship when the world was opening wide before you. They say ‘you haven’t changed’. They are oblivious to the you that is now. But perhaps they are right, that there is something permanent beneath the skin. A certain character which you unwittingly showed in those formative years. But it was something quite unexpected that totally caught you off balance. A forgotten girlfriend recognised you instantly welcoming you with an immediate hug. She still slim in body and in that brief moment a perfect fit. Then time to disperse, to pick up the threads of ongoing life, to let that unsettling emotional swing subside. You were part of them and they will remain part of you. And the past continues irrevocably to define who you are. Richard Scutter July 2019
Nevertheless – An Easter Poem
Nevertheless
nevertheless, it is true
nevertheless, whether you believe,
believe elsewhere
or just don’t believe
for nevertheless He is latent,
the he that exists or doesn’t exist,
nevertheless, supporting you
recognised or not
nevertheless it is nice to know too,
that he cares!
and nevertheless his light
shines through this Easter
nevertheless, yes, nevertheless
you care to open the window
Richard Scutter Easter 2022
A follow up on my previous Easter Post where Michael Thwaites used that one word ‘Nevertheless’ in his poem ‘The Word’.
Easter greetings to all.
May you be brightened by the light that is the power of love.
A Message to my Granddaughters
A Message to my Granddaughters in response to Michael Thwaites
Sometimes you slowly still,
and within a certain satisfaction exudes
into a self-absorbed contentment.
And you say a quiet thank you,
as a peace envelops the soul.
Sometimes you slowly still.
I chose a marvellous city to call home,
the break of morning, the stars departing,
The mirror lake, the cutting Autumn air,
The sun unfolding on the Brindabellas –
I chose a marvellous city to call home.
And what a city, your native city. The expansive view from Mt Ainslie portrays Walter Burley Griffin’s plan in the continual change of trees, hills, water, his forever friends in living beauty.
And in this vista, commanding features -
St John’s Church, the War Memorial,
Civic Centre, The National Library,
the new and old Parliament buildings,
Regatta Point, Commonwealth Gardens,
Capital Hill … and so much more, caught
in the moment of an Autumn morning.
But will you appreciate in likewise fashion
And will your days stretch to a contented life
and will you, when time falls back against the years,
will you … well, who knows! …
But on this morning, I will say again –
I chose a marvellous city to call home.
Richard Scutter March 2022, Canberra
March is the start of Autumn in Canberra. And this year it has not been a case of a sweltering summer and the autumn change will not be so dramatic; but always a time to appreciate the beauty of the changing colours of the trees.
And on this day, it is a time to value your home wherever you live. Hopefully, your home has not been violated by needless violence generated by future fear from another country.
All the best, Richard
Australia Day – A Personal Poem
Australia, Australia, Australia
It was the dignified ship horn blasts that heralded hello
together with the salute from a myriad of smaller craft
that highlighted the welcome …
… giving their shake wave acknowledgement against the magnificence of our sizeable vessel - the ‘Galileo’. The ship moved at a stately slow pace.
As the bow cut gracefully in the still sea, it was
as if, from the depths, a bubbling champagne effervescence
glittered glorious Spring sunshine into life.
That unforgettable early Sunday morning in September 1969. After four weeks, standing on top deck with ‘Rottnest Island' on the right, and ‘Fremantle’ discernible and increasing in definition.
That first impression, the hello to a new life,
a new country, a new week, and that first day
of my beginning -
Australia, Australia, Australia
I try to hold on to that memory, of that initial day. Like catching a new fish, fresh out of the sea.
That amazing sight of something stunningly beautiful just caught and held against the light of day - those first few moments.
Australia, Australia, Australia
Richard Scutter 26 January 2022, Australia Day
Galileo Galilei – A Lloyd Triestino ship built in 1963 that plied migrants from Italy to Australia
Rottnest – an Island close to Freemantle, the port entrance to city of Perth, Western Australia
Tell me not – A New Year Poem
Tell me not
for those a little advanced in age
Tell me not of all your pain what you can’t afford and more of that dropped litter in the lane about that sister you disdain.
Tell me not of times now fled
when every bird sang at your will
of lost days that swamp your head
where you squander with the dead.
But from the window of your seat dance your mind up to the sky sweep the sun around your feet with your eye this moment meet.
Let a smile come to your face greet the New Year with gentle grace.
Richard Scutter 31/12/21
my word in your ear 