On this Easter day.
in celebration
of this ever-living day
we again give thanks
Be inspired by Christ
be inspired by Christ
live by his ever-living example
that in your own life
you too may become Christ-like
and maybe somewhere someone in need
will be inspired by the Christ in you
that you will come alive
in the Christ of another
Richard Scutter 5 Jan 2013
there is a certain feeling to the day
that something will happen
the air massing with no colour to the sky
sifting itself inside out in turmoil
but the cloud disperses
dissipating expectation
the sun is quick to return
stretches headstrong to the horizon
hard pressing its flat horror
the stunted scrub squeeze-dried
bent over double in submission
the ghost wrap of the winter crop
rattles its dead prayers to the wind
his harvester idle for the season
the long wait begins again
that endless wait for change
day after day of disciplined ritual
waiting for a break in the heavens
and in the tomorrow that never came
at dawn in the patched shadow
with the sky groping to contain itself
he walked to the back shed
a sudden, sharp crack-echo
the air shocked still,
and it is over –
too soon the family will find
and then the endless cry
Richard Scutter 11 November 2007
This poem was published in ‘Voices from the Valley’ the 2012 anthology of stories and verse by the Yass Valley Writers – 2012. It was written at the peak of the drought.
A friend sent this interesting Website link which contains these words …
“Poetry makes possible the deepest kind of personal possession of the world.”
“True poetic practice implies a mind so miraculously attuned and illuminated that it can form words, by a chain of more-than coincidences, into a living entity,” – words attributed to Edward Hirsch in his directive on how to read a poem.
This begs the question … to what extent does the reader of a poem enter into the mind of the poet? … in a poetic way of course. And secondly if a poet reads his/her poem is this the best read ever for those that listen?
A poem only has life when it is read and what sort of life – well that depends on both the poet and the reader. What are the poems that you like to read time and time again and to what extent do you think you understand the poet from this association with his words. Are you hearing what I am trying to say?
Guidance from above
Strapped to my wrist, button pressed
jogging, walking or at rest
every step is measured with precision
on how I’ve run without derision.
The heavens track from out in space
where, how fast, my time and pace.
My watch reports without a flaw,
but perhaps, dear God, you can do more!
I don’t mean to be a little rude
but I would like so much to improve.
Could you give instructions to the letter
on what steps to take so I do better?
Now I’m not asking for heaven from you
just a few seconds from my PB will do.
Richard Scutter 15 December 2012
Published in the ACT Veterans Athletics Vetrunner – February 2013
Footnote …
Perhaps you already have a satelite watch. I bought a ‘Garmin’ version in the middle of last year – nothing fancy but I’m impressed with all the watch can do to give information on every walk, run or cycle (not that I currently use it for cycling).
Some-time after my initial purchase I discovered an amazing feature. At that stage I had quite a few runs recorded in the watch history, and some in England while overseas. When I connected the watch to the ‘Garmin Connect’ section of their Website I realised I could store all my watch history on their site against my name but extra detail was available on transfer. This included 1 km splits on every run, my average moving pace as distinct from my average pace – the time spent ‘stopped’ was also recorded, and elevation loss and gain throughout the run and much of this data can be downloaded to a spreadsheet.
The one feature that really impressed me was the trace-map of my run also viewable from a satellite perspective. This showed me the route taken of some UK runs that I had completely forgotten. Coupled to this feature is the ability to re-run the run using the player feature – an icon will follow the exact route taken and at any stage this can be stopped to see time/distance/pace/elevation. It doesn’t end there. All this information can be made public to the Garmin Sport community. You can access all the courses and people that share their runs in this way – a world-wide depository which can be viewed at leisure on your computer.
Of course it is always wonderful to run without a watch and enjoy getting out and moving air without any thought of time!
On the birth of the new century in Canberra 13/3/2013
C … Canberra
E … Enjoy
N … Now
T … That
U … You
R … Are
Y … Young
From the ‘Parliamentary Triangle’, the first sunrise reflections on Lake Burley Griffin with the Carillion in the background.
Well today is the first day, the birth of a new journey … you will never be so young again … tomorrow you will always be older than yesterday! … enjoy, but take it easy … for you do have a long way to go (36,449 more in your daily pilgrimage).
This anthology has been produced for the 2013 Centenary and 75 authors have contributed … they all have, or have had, some association with the Capital … here is a link to more details .
my word in your ear 