Australia Day 2010

January 26, 2010 at 8:39 am | Posted in australian poetry | 21 Comments
Tags: australia day, beginning, poetry, writing

Soon I will have to extend my walking
into running,

Today observed a citizenship ceremony
which made me smile.
The hibiscus are in bloom and worn with pride
and children dancing with impatience.

There was a cruise ship in the docks,
sparkling white fresh from the pacific.

The river is plumptious.

I am happy.

21 Comments »

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This is really nice… “the children are dancing with impatience”… like it’s going to get them somewhere. Very nice.
Thankyou.

Comment by littlegirlwithabigpen— January 26, 2010 #
It is lovely when the hibiscus bloom and when everyone is happy! I love your ‘plumptious’ river. Good to see you. Happy Australia Day from the land of the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo.
They are some of my favourite birds, Gabrielle. Chatterboxes. I am feeling plumptious myself today.

Comment by Gabrielle Bryden— January 26, 2010 #
Paul, this is a striking poem, with beauty between such strong opening and closing lines.

“Soon I will have to extend my walking
into running” = grand.

A very enjoyable read that is accompanied by a sense of calmness and contentment. A slightly different voice for you (that has appeared before and I’m sure will again).
Always chasing new ones, Bryan. The enemy of art is complacency. Your career is going skyrockets and that makes me very happy for many reasons.

Comment by Bryan Borland— January 26, 2010 #
I like that you have found happiness….. and think I know exactly where you are. And I just returned home from a long walk, I tried to run but walking is just so much more…..contemplative.
Randall! You know me, contemplative only lasts so long. I am still looking for my birth certificate. See you soonish.

Comment by absurdistry— January 26, 2010 #
There are some good things about Australia day, but I worry about too much nationalistic fervour. Not that this is likely here in Australia, where our identity is so ill defined and we are so young at one level, since European settlement and so old, in terms of our indigenous ancestry.

Your poem highlights one of the good things. I love citizenship ceremonies. It’s like welcoming people home.

I suppose I can’t have it both ways but it all troubles me nevertheless.

Terrific poem, Paul.
Thankyou.

Comment by Elisabeth— January 26, 2010 #
I was fantasising about running today, whilst slumped in my lounge chair drinking coffee and contemplating my navel, which is distressingly closer to my eyes than it used to be.
Mine too. Still it makes it easy to gaze into, Samantha.

Comment by Mad Cat Lady— January 26, 2010 #
i am trying to get the energy to start with the running. the wish is there, just not the willpower. what time of day to you plan on doing your running?
I run randomly, when the whim arises. Did you like my little poem?

Comment by the projectivist— January 26, 2010 #
I can see you.
How odd. Your tiny tales are superb Ms Squirrel.

Comment by The Querulous Squirrel— January 27, 2010 #
what a relief. i was worried it would be another angry protest at jingoistic aussie tendencies this Australia Day. not that i have the right to comment, i havent had an Australia Day at home for ten years, but still…thanks for the positive vibe…lovely

Comment by screamish— January 27, 2010 #
Oh my gawd, Mr. Squires is at peace and happy! Brilliant Paul, and this nice bit of wordy art is proof that it looks good on you. You’ve caught your stride and it’s wonderful.

Comment by Val— January 27, 2010 #
Beautiful Paul…

Comment by gnunn— January 27, 2010 #
Plumptious is one of my favourite words. I like to write it on things and on people.

I am glad that you are happy amongst the hibiscus. It seems to me that you have a huge capacity for happiness and that is one of the reasons I so admire you. Happy Australia Day to you and yours.

Comment by Sack Posset— January 28, 2010 #
As always, a delight, Paul, and the word “plumptious” made my day.

Comment by Thomma Lyn— January 28, 2010 #
Yay for holidays and for poems that take you on one!

Comment by art predator— January 28, 2010 #
of course i like your poem!
it was plumptious.
x

Comment by the projectivist— January 28, 2010 #
Thank you for restoring some lovely back into my tainted view of Australia Day.

Comment by Bea— January 28, 2010 #
lovely celabratory poem… laps in summer, run in winter hee hee thats my motto

Comment by gypsy— January 31, 2010 #
Beautifull poetry. Thanks ging (If I may call you like that)

Comment by marianasoffer— February 1, 2010 #
plumptious…

Someone once called me that very thing… sounds friendlier than zoftig…

Comment by Patrice— February 1, 2010 #
A nice tribute to a good day. Really enjoyed.

Comment by medicatedlady— February 6, 2010 #
You certainly have a way with words!

Comment by Australia Deals— April 22, 2010 #