I stepped into the icy water of the French river to line our canoe over very shallow rocks. There was no rush, as the sun shimmered showing the amazing beauty of the colours of the rocks at my feet. Then Mike, who was in front of me stopped and pointed downwards. Following his gaze I joined him and saw huge fish gently swaying around in place, unfazed by our presence, busy spawning their next generation, glimmering, quietly slowly dancing in the sunlight...
The Woman Walking Into the Lake
Poem by Angela van Breemen
Freshwater siren
Beckons me
Her blue so vast
Cool water
Seeps inside my shoes
Enveloping my feet
In its chilly embrace
I'm Invincible
The painting in poetry
by J.C. Kavanagh, Author of The Twisted Climb book series
I'm invincible
Not invisible
I face forward, I don't look back
But
There are things to the left
And things to the right
That distract, not reflect
The real me that I hide.
It's there, can you see
Baby Bear
Written by Dian Bowers
Grandma held the needle in her deformed hand as she skilfully manoeuvred the quilted material. Arthritic took away her beloved craft but there was one more piece of art that she had to create. Grandma painted a picture with vibrant printed textiles, using her needle as a visual artist uses a brush to paint her subject. Her grandchild at her knee watches every stitch. Grandma winces every so often as the creation was taking its toll on her hands.
Out of Darkness
by Teri-Lyn Smethurst
Post-apocalyptic
From the deep earthy grave
Out of darkness
Tentacles shoot forth
Propagate
Twining tendrils
Clinging, Sprawling
Transforming
Mixed Emotions
by Joyce Ernyes
Kylie's eyes brimmed with tears of happiness as the Olympic gold metal was placed around Sonja's neck. She loved the young girl like a daughter.
While sitting in the stadium awaiting the ceremonies to commence, Kylie reflected on the events of the past four years that culminated in this day being the most memorable of her life.
Birds Eye View
Written by Teri-Lyn Smethurst, 2022
Watching you from my window, soaring above
What would it be like to sprout wings, to fly away
Weightless, air brushing through my feathers
Freedom from human constraint
Free of gravity restraints
Ripping, racing along the air currents
Seeing the world through a bird's eye view
Down By the Dock
Written by Peter Frost-Corking
A breeze caressed my cheeks as I gazed at the clear blue water. My brother Hank stood at the end of the dock, his arms stretched upwards and his hands clasped together, as if each hand were trying to pull the other ever higher into the clear blue sky. Closer to me was Dad, lost in some crossword, his feet dangling in the water.
So clear, so blue … and so peaceful! There was only the soft lapping of the water against the dock, and the distant hum of a chainsaw in the forest. Yet I didn't feel at peace.
"Hey Timbits!" It was Hank calling out to me. "How about a dip in the lake?"
What Do You See?
by Angela van Breemen
The sun struggles
To filter through the gloom
That permeates my soul
What remains of autumn light
Kisses the bronzed trees
Much as a lover says goodbye
Cerulean blue loses its grip
Sunlight creates a prism of colour
Competing against angry clouds
Is this Gaia's displeasure?
Revolted by humankind's sins
Inflicted upon her creatures?
I Have Your Back
by Mary Penner
From the moment we met, we took to each other like "flies on the butter" as my Mother used to say. The years have passed quickly, filled with fond memories of our life together. Our travels have taken us many places around the world. There was Venice, then Paris, Munich, London, and other cities, where we walked and explored, taking in the different cultures.