chrome-like shiny green...

chrome-like shiny green quilted with doona delights Oz Christmas beetle rainbow melody #lavish shining segments of lower world secrets #haikuchallenge

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 31 December 2024 at 13:24

calling all angels for 2025...

just outside the door 

is 2025

at midnight

the door will unlatch and 

slide open

2024 will just be a shadow

cast by the self

2025 will be the new light

of hopeful wonder

it may be a universal door

but on opening, it reveals

many highways

many tracks

many mountains and valleys ahead

some visible

some invisible

all waiting to be owned

by choice

or by circumstance

all person specific

no matter race or age

to safely tread this testing wheel of time

to progress effectively

beyond the door

we need to simply keep walking

keep walking with our angels

our friendly angels of earth or spirit

our better angels

our personal

better angels

"...President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels." 

- Statement from the Obamas on the death of 100 year old President Jimmy Carter.

ice in a clear glass...

ice in a clear glass ice like shafts of crystal reflecting the colours of light a lone glass happy to just be a lone glass if I am #solitude I am ice in a clear glass slowly melting into my songlines #vss365 #micropoetry #poetsonbluesky 📷My lone glass in Strathalbyn, South Australia

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 31 December 2024 at 09:58

I'm on my soapbox...

I'm on my soap box I expect far more respect far more #decorum far more understanding of my feathered friends from the human species leave us our leafy space to be a mindful voice in your wilderness #micropoetry #vss365

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 30 December 2024 at 10:13

a doubtful cocktail...

a doubtful cocktail no clear information on a possible bar trend a gaping #schism between wine and beer #vss365 #tanka #poetsonbluesky #micropoetry

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 29 December 2024 at 09:46

motorbike at Hastings...

addiction rapture

locked in the powerful vibes

of motorbike thrills

to feel the roaring purr

of throbbing engines

to lean into the rush

of a long straight road

and

to sway with the dance

of winding bends

to brave dusty tracks

strewn with rocky check-points

and to be sure no vehicle

would dare to try 

to reach the vague towns 

of yesteryear 

and touch the pulse 

of pioneers

I somehow sense

the motorbike rider

could easily be

today's lone pioneer

appreciating the good 

and the bad

of the world

as a passing parade

up close

and real

and I

as an addicted rider

love it that way

a post Christmas chuckle...

Rarely do I chuckle all the way through a post...including the comments attached... If you feel socially drained from the Christmas hype, read this. Your spirits will lift in no time... our ecosystem becomes more touchy with age just go with the flow #haiku

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 28 December 2024 at 17:43

Christmas till New Year...

Christmas till New Year all social energy sapped #idyllic limbo #vss365

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 28 December 2024 at 11:56

arch of 7 days...

arch of 7 days
festive Eves and Days wait for
the baton to pass#haiku pic.twitter.com/fZ1a9eGDoN

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Wiradjuri land (@AuraGem) December 28, 2024

post Boxing Day skies...

post Boxing Day skies trialling faces and goals for New Year stories #haiku #poetsonbluesky

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 27 December 2024 at 08:57

feel the blesings of the waters...

go down to the bays

and enjoy the dancing waves

be friends with wide seas

they give horizons

respect the odd tides for

warning messages

hear, see and feel 

the blessings of waters

they could be a sign of

incoming journeys

northerly short days...

northerly short days match southern long days of heat global yin and yang some short days of light promise perhaps longer days of warmth could be nigh a southern short day remembers when heat and fires were not real blessings #dailyhaikuprompt #haiku #micropoetry

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 26 December 2024 at 12:21

little wattlebird - Boxing Day 2017

feisty and mouthy

a sprightly pocket full of

stripey feathers

commonly visits 

in our hot Christmas season

loves red banksias

insects and berries

even seeds are staple food

but sweet nectar wins

little wattlebird

boasts no glamorous plumage

yet thrilling dancer

Mark Knopfler haiku...

Mark Knopfler haiku riffs of soft gravel slink through sultry notes #haiku P.S. My alternative self feels connected to Mark Knopfler. It is said he prefers to ride a motorbike or take the train in London. Love both. We were both born in 1949...just over a month apart. We both have Scottish links.

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 23 December 2024 at 13:11

cockatoo shenanigans...

it is rumoured

that an apple a day keeps

the doctor at bay

but what if

what if I'm a cockatoo

with selective taste

a sneaky bite here

another random bite just there

and then I move on

when will I know that

I have consumed the value

of one whole apple

does it quite matter

in my cockatoo world

of buffet delights

my playground now is

your scrumptious summer garden

I'll just test drive fruits

 

wicket...

Boxing Day #wicket an Oz win toasts surviving the Christmas chaos #vss365 #haiku

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 22 December 2024 at 10:59

purity...

#purity’s disguise flame tongues lick, molest the dark devouring its face the #purity of the legendary phoenix is in its rising #vss365 #haiku

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 21 December 2024 at 11:20

If you look very carefully into the flames in this photo, you will see 2 very distinct faces...and perhaps there are more...

Do flames summon souls from yesteryear???? 

everyone needs a place to retreat...

everyone needs a place to see

the beauty of the world beyond the chaos

everyone needs a place to hear

their personal dreaming songs

everyone needs a place to taste

the healthy fruits of today

everyone needs a place to inhale

the breath of fresh tomorrows

everyone needs a place

to sense their own tribe

their own being

and feel whole

 

neglected summer leaves...

we admire

the ephemeral glory of

autumn leaves

before they fall

and even when they fall

we admire

winter's leafless trees

for their artistic shapes

and we take the opportunity

to admire a sky

through the silhouette

of leafless branches

and then there is spring

leafy new growth

enhancing blossoms

a banquet of exciting beauty

but summer leaves

are silent 

in the world of words

just a backstage reminder 

that bunches of leaves

on big trees

cast shadows

welcome relief from

a burning summer sun

we really know little of

summer leaves 

the eucalypt leaf

can hang like a pendulum

creating a soothing

hushed orchestra

when a summer breeze drops by

the eucalypt leaf is

the diet of choice for

a hungry koala

however

visual beauty

seems elusive

these leaves all seem dry washed in

an olive green

sameness

but

look again

the summer leaf 

actually

can adopt

many faces

only some eucalyptus leaves hang like pendulums

often only the newest ones

on the end of twigs

but of course

there are exceptions

deeper into the tree

rogue young and mature eucalypt leaves 

teamed on a single branch

clearly are absorbed

in their very own

unique

summer dance

a pose is frozen

till the summer breeze 

ignites

their special summer dance

on a crowded dance floor

of jostling identities

and that applies to the eucalypt trees

other summer leaves

embrace

their own story

indeed

summer leaves

adopt

many faces

but their strength is their role model resilience

especially the eucalypt leaf

it weathers all seasons

and no season tells the summer leaf when to fall

the summer leaf falls

when it needs to fall

making room for new life

a subtle kaleidoscope party...

a subtle kaleidoscope party a #monochrome palette of shadowy light over secret colours #tanka #vss365

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 17 December 2024 at 22:59

my hiding space???...

in my mind

I am hiding

I let friendly leaves

be my costume

my mask

in my secret space

I can watch

the watcher

but if you move

I fear 

you see me

I know

I sense

in your mind

you see me

a flight of white clouds...

 

a flight of white clouds

shaping and re-shaping

random connections

I see memories

my furball closely watching

as she used to be

wings wide open

a gift from friendly angels

a waiting embrace

after the silly season passes...

after the silly season passes I intend to exchange my frustrating 'to do' list for an ever evolving exciting date with my 'to be' list #tanka

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 15 December 2024 at 15:25

feathered thieves...

there are thieves in black or adorable, cheeky cute frustrating screechy thieves in white #tanka

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 15 December 2024 at 12:05

cautious sketching...

a year ago today

I returned to a little cautious sketching

it's been awhile

quite awhile

(back in the days when my children were very young

I wrote

and illustrated

stories for them)

for now, I tend to sketch

(and sometimes paint)

in fractured blocks of time

my confidence has fragile limits

above all

I do not wish to copy

an image

a style

or even underlying ideas

of others

my writings

(especially my poetry)

and my photography of unusual

scenes or perspectives

are my sources of inspiration

 

if that fails

sleepless nights can be quite useful

as may be a second cup of coffee - no sugar

and so it could be

that my writing, my sketching or my paintings

may require a second glance

if you wish to tune in to my songline

of something different

P.S.

I am still dabbling - but progressing in regularity 

and cautious confidence

 

self-imposed prison...

self imposed prison hiding from pressurised heat reminiscing awakening to so many undervalued gifts given me at some stage in my life gifts I did not want at the time even found some cruel but now I realise I needed those old heartaches to be the stronger identity I am now #micropoetry

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 14 December 2024 at 12:11

a touch of Christmas tears...

 

there is a sadness in 

a lone figure

quietly walking 

an old, winding track

treading

the shadows

beneath overhanging branches

beneath tangled trees

beneath a pot pouri

of filtered light

there is a particular sadness

when you have known that figure

for quite some years

and this, his moment

returns at Christmas time

he told you once

that you were his peace

his first and only peace

in life

those words soothe

all the sharp pain of old questions

and what is left is

a precious thought

perhaps we were meant to be together

for a space of time

we gave each other a gift

hopefully he has his eternal peace 

I have his strength

his drive to test out creative ideas

and his deep love of animals

and now

it is time 

for me to move on

P.S.

André Léon Marie Nicolas Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conductor. He has been playing a medley of songs this morning.

He has just begun playing Somewhere My Love...we'll meet again someday... 

I think I have just received a wonderful Christmas gift from the Universe...

healthy teamwork...

father and son

leading teacher and student

healthy teamwork

gardening chores

allocated role plays

balance the load

family outdoor tasks

an earthy bond grounds and shapes

family connections

 

identity lies in what we hold...

https://t.co/52Ixo71gWW

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Wiradjuri land (@AuraGem) December 9, 2024

being alone...

new beginnings

often involve meditating

with the usual coffee

being alone

with your own thoughts 

does not mean

being lonely

laced

in your own dress style

does not mean

being laced up

new beginnings

often involve being watched

by the usual watchers

 

thoughtful videos...

thoughtful videos
keep the kindness bug alive
in the toughest soul#haiku https://t.co/tfdkCZJzlj

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Wiradjuri land (@AuraGem) December 8, 2024

fraudulent charades...

fraudulent charades
entitled egos scrapping
for terminal power#haiku pic.twitter.com/68GyBRUW7L

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Wiradjuri land (@AuraGem) December 7, 2024

may you never be perfect...

https://t.co/GV93BBnhzF

— 🇺🇦🌻Gemma Wiseman-on Wiradjuri land (@AuraGem) December 7, 2024

ladies of the note...

 

ladies of the note

Edith Cowan

social reformer and Australia's first female MP

Mary Reiby

from convict to successful business woman

Mary Gilmore 

writer and journalist

role model women in early Australian history

all honoured on our bank notes

on the reverse side

but in my purse

they all line up

on the front

honouring the powerful storm in Temora last night...

 

IMAGE CREDIT: Yanni - prolific photographer on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 

captured this moment on Port Phillip Bay

feral night stage

explosive booms challenge

fevered zaps of light

electric thrills

impromptu anxiety

wills more shock attacks

freestyle

orchestras of the sky

clash performances

storms hold the world to ransom

an arc of coastal waterfalls...

an arc of coastal waterfalls

shimmering white threads of water

slip over algae-riddled rock

just a brief fall to a churning bed of foam

and bulbous rocky interface

invaded by the multiple antics of

coastal interference

no surfing

no boating here

just a reminder

of the power and changing moods of Nature

fascinating, dangerous beauty maybe

however, for me

it was also

a fleeting reminder of what could have been

another kind of coastal interference

some years ago

on this far far south land

so far from northern tensions

that our involvement must be impossible

nevertheless

someone thought it important to instal

barbed wire

along the cliff top

overlooking a smoother beach 

not so very far away

only recently I noted

the barbed wire was still there 

 

There is little visible, obvious escape from the intimidator...

Old cannon outside Hastings Historical Society, Victoria...

There is little visible, obvious escape from

the intimidator

the bully with

the loud voice and

aggressive actions

the entitled one

who expects obeyance

in short

the one who represents

the uncivilised shame of humanity

in the guise of intelligence

and obvious superiority

in short

the one skilled

in lies

betrayals and 

promises

personal wins

personal glory

and a personal avalanche of money

are all that matters

to this one

when this one's demands can't or won't be met

war

to be or not to be 

is not the only question

as for you

the receiver of someone's else's strength

without even asking for it

you ride the new currents

the new surfs

the rips

possibly alone

waiting

somewhat preparedly

for the next surprise

and so you face a personal question

which involves

your own

personal peace

how to keep your peace alive

within

your peace that is you 

there are times...

there are times when I keep writing 

and writing 

and writing

I have no sound reason why

other than it is addictive

a necessary vitamin for my health that can't be bought

only practised...

in short, it seems to be a natural past time...

just a word on the news

a morning view from my window

a thought of a friend

sparks the daily writing flurry

even the ragged post of old Balnarring pier

inspires me to revisit memories

recycle thoughts

and simply

keep writing

coastal cliff face...

coastal cliff face a visual diary of Nature's travels #haiku #haikucommunity #poetrycommunity

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 5 December 2024 at 06:39

I revel in old places...

I revel in old places and old spaces tuning hopefully to old souls #tanka

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 4 December 2024 at 08:05

inner Christmas joy...

any inner Christmas joy offers credit and positive vibes for the New Year ahead #tanka

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 4 December 2024 at 08:03

citizen of poetic worlds...

I hearby declare that my song will try to keep all past and present song lines eternally alive Signed: A #Citizen of Poetic Worlds #tanka #vss365

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 3 December 2024 at 23:17

melancholic sky...

melancholic sky soft, grey gentle rain creates another chapter in visual beauty when the sun emerges #tanka

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 3 December 2024 at 08:23

Christmas...

locked into an annual year end frenzy winter and summer climes are both drawn to the colour red a dash of green and sparkles of silver and gold and the wild card of bargains #yes...#Christmas a special celebration of sleigh bells and Santa Claus muffles the voice of some old reason why #vss365

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 2 December 2024 at 16:19

sandwich...

busy day unfinished business dry sandwich to fit the almost unfittable pressurised sandwich beach holiday the joy of joyful crowds and a sand sandwich refrigerator the internet buffet spam sandwich a major role player life's variable invader the faithful sandwich #haiku

— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 2 December 2024 at 06:30

the silks of special wines...

the silks of special wines soothe the storms the sighs of the soul #tanka

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— Gemma Wiseman (@gemma77.bsky.social) 1 December 2024 at 10:48