why do they do it everything named bolded in large font yes, he is sitting in the LOUNGE and yes, I do know he is JOHN for the last two years unknown to self
well, he maybe JOHN to someone else the body that must be fed the body that must be clean the body that must be monitored the JOHN that provides an income
John this is Peter, you remember me PETER it doesn’t matter how big the font or if I raise my voice, he doesn’t remember and never will I guess, we played tennis together for many years, invincible at doubles
John and Peter champions but he is focused on the electronic screen I don’t know why they have it on all the time at least it’s muted … SILENCE.
I always have my eye on the CLOCK the minutes that are hours and I can’t wait to escape to go to the exit the exit that is not obvious
the exit that they can never find locked forever on the inside and then into fresh air, and let John flood back in memory another uncomfortable visit
A postscript Post – For Mother’s Day, 12 May in Australia …
There are two important passages concerning Jesus and his close caring contact with his mother.
The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11): This is where Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine, at a wedding feast in Cana. Jesus’ mother Mary plays a significant role in this event, as she informs Jesus that the hosts have run out of wine. Although Jesus initially seems hesitant to intervene, Mary instructs the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do, prompting him to perform the miracle. It is the start of his public ministry at the bequest of Mary.
The Crucifixion (John 19:25-27): During the crucifixion of Jesus, we see Mary standing near the cross along with other women, witnessing her son’s suffering. Jesus, in his final moments, entrusts the care of his mother to the beloved disciple (traditionally identified as John), saying to Mary, “Woman, behold your son!” and to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” This passage highlights Jesus’ concern for his mother’s well-being.
In the time of Jesus the stereotype image of mother is one of subservience and background duties as an adjunct to male dominance. Today the mother image has changed but father image has become tainted by current domestic violence concerns. Those victims of such abuse might well hold negativity in the reference to our father and heaven in the Lord’s Prayer. Especially those outside the traditional church view of Father. And those that equate creation with love outside personification.
I attempted to find some balance by including a reference to mother in the following contemporary version below …
Our Father
Our Father, Mother of all life living in timeless beauty your name is sacred always to be praised and adored you created our world and continue to transform the wonder of your creation
we thank you each day for having given us your son
forgive our wrong behaviour as we forgive the wrongs of others
you know us intimately, guide our lives and protect us from harm
for you are all good, pure love, and perfect all honour, power, and glory are yours now and forever.
Richard Scutter (first published in a Yass Valley Writers anthology)
Nothing Doingon 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.
The SIEVX Memorial Weston Park, Canberra 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.
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
Mt Ainslie, Canberra – looking down on the city centre and Lake Burley Griffin
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.
my word in your ear 