It was in the late 90s that David Barnes began publishing my early poems on his Poetry DownUnder website based in Western Australia. It was a time when the Internet still seemed to be an exciting new experiment and we marveled that our work could be published instantly along side poems from all over the world. A lot of the early stuff has disappeared into the ether (although fortunately the WA Dept of Culture & The Arts, the State Library and the NLA have archived a selection of the early PDU & Numbat pages.)
David has had a lot of illness in recent years. In an email this week he told me he was sending me a book of his poems and
“I’m now working on a second book of selected poetry, of round about
100 poems Rob – working on them now as a matter of fact – keeps me alive
if nothing else, for as you know, poetry has been my life and still is mate.”
… and he included two revised poems which he generously allowed me to post here:
existence
destruction or happiness
such a fine line,
between them ―
all we hope
pray for,
is fate to be kind:
fate- destiny
brings people together ―
abandoned
to life’s particular twists.
debarnes – revised june 2011
_______________________________
Episodes
It was the wrong moment in time
to reach beyond the ambience.
in retrospect—
I should have stayed in bed.
the suns ray’s claw
tearing night’s shroud, revealing mist floating—
above restless grass;
“a gentle breeze
releases it from its earthly hover.”
I search for you, for release
where ever you are, rise; break in to my existence
waves across a desolate rock, aching
for your mind-touch
“with our mental images
another night’ with dreams─ irrationality:”
will we meet?
at the next juncture, when the mist rises clear ─
where sails touch horizons, as twilight
is absorbed
Setting the patterns
for tonight’s new visions
where ever you are─ I await
for you, with
Expectation.
debarnes – revised july 2011
Thanks – as ever – for everything David.
David Barnes at his son’s wedding.
.
Meet Max-Mo’s newest member (and at 23 our youngest) Alison Thornsteinsen. Ali provides very unique impro vocalizations to accompany our words. It’s like we’ve added another instrument to blend with Andy, Steve & Derek. Alison’s studied jazz piano at the Elder Conservatorium and is just finishing up her Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance. Vocally Ali doesn’t limit her style. Beyond Max-Mo you might meet her singing country/acoustic music with friends at an open mic night or with guitarist Erica playing covers in a pub, working at the occasional wedding or in the renowned jazz choir Adelaide Connection. Welcome Ali. The rest of you – please come and say hi at our next gig.
