desire (ii)...

The world awaits...

 Anticipates...

 Intoxicates...

 Dreamers awake...

 Open the gates!!

I long to kiss her
up the perfect shoreline
of her back...

...The
world

awaits.


(c)Brent M Harpur, 2012.

"You cannot save people. You can only love them..." (Anais Nin)

for John McKelvie...

it has taken me
forty three years,
but I am
finally

Home.

(c)Brent M Harpur, 2012.

(-For John McKelvie.)

desire (i)...

You strike a match,

your tender,
smouldering flame
a sweet burning kiss

to my solitary candle.

I'm ignited
by your images & words.

Our worlds
spark & blaze
in raptures of

vanilla  & starlight!!


(c)Brent M Harpur, 2012.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." (Anais Nin)

untitled...

perhaps
(just perhaps)
my heart was in deep freeze,
too.

your poem (your response)
and that kiss.

they have
melted the ice,
words leaking like water
from my fingertips...

the floodgates are open wide now.

you have struck a match
in my darkness.

autumn dresses
the trees in red,
and sweet birdsong reminds me

the best dreams
are shared

with eyes & heart wide open.


(c) Brent M Harpur, 2012.

"Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I cry...
 Part of me is ocean, and part of me is sky." (Tom Petty)

never pack an ice pick or a blowtorch...

This is not a poem,
it is a public service announcement... *

(i)

As you travel
through this road called life
(and if you should be lucky enough
to meet another kindred spirit):

do not be alarmed
if they tell you

they have a heart
wrapped in a wall of ice or snow.

Unfortunately, this is a common ailment
of our modern age,

but it is not one to be scared of.

And if you should be lucky enough
to have an opportunity
to meet him/her in person,

never (under any circumstances)
pack an ice pick or a blowtorch.

On arrival,
give him/her a small (yet warm) hug
and a quick kiss on the cheek.

And If you like what they are wearing,
complement their great taste in clothing
(but only if you really mean it)...

Thai food helps a lot.

Don't plan anything
(except, if you are offered,
a photo shoot at an exotic location).

Above all else:

Be yourself.

Bring your deodorant,
changes of underwear & socks,
great Kiwi music
and some casual clothing.

(Unless, of course,
you are offered that
aforementioned photo shoot.
Under these circumstances,
bring all the best clothes you own.)

Small inexpensive gifts are a nice touch,
as are drawings
and a few more hugs.

Don't forget to bring
your sense of humour,
even if it is really bad.

Read poetry together,
draw, listen to music,
and...

Most importantly of all...

Smile
at your kindred spirit
if they make you feel safe & comfortable.

Smile lots.

If they smile lots back,
smile at them even more.

Smile until your face muscles hurt.

And still continue to smile.

Remember
to pack your toothbrush.
A good sign that they are on the road to recovery
is that they will
give you a toothbrush,
if you do forget your one.
This is a (very) good sign.

Be patient.

And
remember to...

Always be yourself.

This one bears repeating:

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF.

This is only a guide.
If you think of more things to try,
just make sure
that they are warm,
genuine & sincere.

A few more hugs never hurt.
And maybe (just maybe)

some Crowded House
or early Split Enz.

But,
under NO conditions
kiss them,
even if you really, really want to!!

If you follow these instructions carefully,
your creative friend is
well on the road to recovery.

Just remind yourself
(and each other, constantly)

that
true strength
is delicate.

Upon departing,
leave a candle
(but preferably not one from the $2 shop,
as they don't smell too good).

The ongoing warmth from the candle
(and the smell, if you buy a nice one)
will bring your kindred spirit
to a steady, slow (but full) recovery.


(ii)

As you travel
through this road called life
(and if you should be lucky enough
to meet another kindred spirit

do not be alarmed if they
turn out to be a
"chatterbox"...

If this is the first time you've met,
and they appear to be at an age
where they are of a good heart
and creative and funny and kind;
it may just be that they are (still)
a little shy.

They may appear to have
"an absence of fear"
and a poet's heart / artist's eye.
But inside,
they may be freaking out
at meeting a fellow like-minded freak
so familiar and similar to themselves...

Indeed, they may be nervous
that they have finally met someone
who likes the same things as them.

In short, they probably like you...

A VERY BIG LOT!!!

But there is hope.
There IS a cure for the affliction of "chatterbox"...

If it feels right,
(consult your intuition if you're unsure)

& when they least expect it:

1. Take a deep breath.

2. Wait for them to start chattering again,

and...

3. Kiss them firmly on their lips!!

4. If it feels good, repeat step 3.

5. Continue to repeat step 3.

It should be noted at this point,
if this doesn't stop them talking...

NOTHING WILL!

*Disclaimer:

This is not a public service announcement,
it is a poem...

(c)Brent M Harpur, 2012.

"Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice."
(Robert Frost)      

shortest poem in the known universe (3.03am)

and for the
 first time ever

I don't want to leave Sydney
 in such a hurry.

(c) Brent M Harpur, 22/5/2012. (3.03AM)

"Imagine the most amazing things that could happen this week. Hold the images in your mind, then let them melt into your heart. Smile at the thought, pray to be ready, and prepare."
 (Marianne Williamson)

-For E.

things to (a)muse / a soundtrack for my soul...

I have collected
so many things,
constellations & shells
and butterfly wings.

Pebbles and feathers
& so much more.
I lie them in a sacred altar
at your door.

Won't you let me in?

The ring of Saturn,
the four seasons too.
I will bring them
all to you.
Fur of lion
and fang of bear,
tails of mermaids,
an absence of fear.

Won't you let me in?
I bring things to (a)muse.

Mozart's ear
and van Gogh's brush,
Songs of magpie
and of thrush.
Shakespeare's muse,
a sky so blue.
I will bring them
all to you.

Won't you let me in?
I bring things to (a)muse.
To inspire,
and to delight.

Galileo's telescope,
Joni Mitchell's first guitar,
the first light of dawn
and the darkest of star.
The Mona Lisa's smile,
a heart that's true.
All of these things
I leave (just) for you.

Won't you let me in?
I bring things to (a)muse.
To inspire,
and to delight.

To inspire...

And
to
delight.

***

And if my soul
had a soundtrack,
it would be something by Bach
or perhaps Johnny Cash.

If it was a colour,
it would be purple,
red or blue.

If it had a taste,
it would be avocado & goat's cheese,
or maybe chocolate and vanilla.

It would smell like
freshly brewed coffee
or pesto.

It would look like
Starry Starry Night.

And it would feel like
being in your arms
(even though I have never
 been in your arms).


(c)Brent M Harpur, 2012.

“The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it,
can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the Universe to do.”
(Galileo Galilei)

-for E.

maurice sendak RIP

R.I.P.

Maurice Sendak

(1928 - 2012.)

"From their earliest years children live on familiar terms with disrupting emotions —

fear and anxiety are an intrinsic part of their everyday lives, they continually

cope with frustrations as best they can...

...And it is through fantasy that children achieve catharsis.

It is the best means they have for taming wild things."

11:11 (inspired by a photograph)

I look at your photograph
(the one where you look as if
  you are looking back at me)

From time to time.

And if someone
took a minute to tell the stars
how beautiful they are

Would they still continue to shine?

Last night
I dreamt
that I licked the salt
from the chest of a mermaid.

She tenderly touched my face
& ran her wet fingers
through my hair.

Glancing up into the evening sky
I noted there were no stars.
Only a full, beautiful Cancerian moon.

This morning,
I found tiny traces of sand
in the sheets of my bed.

I want to be the nature

that blooms inside you.
Or the tiny flicker of red
you see behind closed lids,
when you turn your face towards the sunlight.

I want to light a fire in your darkness,

and attempt to steal
the pain
from your bones,
soul & very core.

Someone once wrote
that only pain truly teaches the steps,
so let's dance!!

Not every oyster contains
a pearl,
but if you are patient enough

you'll see a fern unfurl.

According to Maori,
Taniwha created
the scarred valleys of this ancient land
with a thrash of his tail.

With a little (combined) magic
and belief
in the power of art,

what could we achieve
alone / together?

Sometimes,
from the darkest corners
& shadows
a flower defies the cold
and grows
tall, blazing & strong.

And sometimes,
in the blackest skies
a solitary sun burns
brighter than ten thousand stars.

I read
in a children's book today
that our Sun
is only
a hundred times bigger
than the Earth.

I am (both) surprised & delighted to remember this.

Tonight,
on my pillow
before I close my eyes to sleep
I find subtle traces of stardust.

I have nothing
of real value to offer you.

But glancing over at the clock,
I note the time...

11:11

This is my gift for you.

The next time
you glance at fhe time
in your far away (yet close) universe,

and it says
11:11

close your eyes for a brief minute.

Listen to your heart
gently thumping inside your chest.
Feel the cool/warm breath
in your nose, mouth & lungs.

And for sixty seconds,
think of me.

I will be
right there with you.

I look at your photograph
(the one where you look as if
   you are looking back at me)

from time to time.

And if someone
took a minute to tell the stars
how beautiful they are

would
they
still
continue
to
shine?


(c) Brent Harpur, 2012.
"Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by.
  Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way."
  (Paul Simon/Art Garfunkel)