Elizabeth's Poetry Haven
a place of peace, love and freedom of expression
Poems on this page reflect the land of my birth, New Zealand, and the nation where I lived for 16 years (prior to moving to Isle of Man), Australia
Note: Music files on this page will change periodically and feature either:
NZ Folk Song "Pokarekare Ana" sung by Marie-Adele McArthur & the well-known Australian unofficial national anthem, "Waltzing Matilda"
AUSTRALIA
IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS
'Tis leap year folks, so time to leap
drum does beat from way down deep
sounding out the call of time
to move beyond to all sublime
Like Big Red who moves with ease
tail in balance his bounds do please
forward momentum to places new
unknown is now the common view
Yet he does in leap and bound
have a perfect flowing sound
like a river flowing fast
Kanga's leaps are n'er his last
He's always moving on his way
his leaps and bounds are his display
that life is balanced, rhythmic, joy
all together as one employ
So like Big Red it's time to move
in leaps and bounds the perfect groove
why not embrace this perfect time
to move beyond to life sublime
©Elizabeth A Feisst 2008 (Feb 28)
All rights reserved
FOSSICKING FOR GEMSTONES
Fossicking for gemstones
such idyllic being
roaming in the outback
alert and e'er so freeing
Searching for perfection
gems a'scattered wide
amethyst and crystals
looking to outside
In dust and dirt aplenty
digging deep to find
the purest opal ever
perfect of its kind
Yet to be considered
the richest find to call
found upon the inside
the greatest gem of all
Love the greatest gemstone
at the central core
no more to go a'fossicking
content forever more
© Elizabeth A Feisst 28 August 2006
All rights reserved
TRUE BLUE
True blue, an Aussie essence
Bluey, loyal companion
Man's country favourite
Friend to the end
Serving his master
Faithful, always smiling
Dependable and true
Honest and fair
Working endlessly
Never tiring
Outback lover
Of man and beast
Bluey we love you
Dear friend of Oz
No questions asked
Always there
True blue
© Elizabeth A Feisst 10 August 2005
"BLUEY"
"Bluey" the cattle dog
Loyal and true
Loving and serving
His master true blue
He works and he works
Until work it is done
And even some more
For his master, it's fun
He gives and he gives
Some more likewise too
His master he loves him
He serves him true blue
A faithful and loving
Dear friend is our Blue
The Aussie Blue Cattle Dog
So loyal true blue
©Elizabeth A Feisst 17 November 2005
THE PLATYPUS
Do you know the platypus?
Australian born and bred
Quiet, unassuming
Yet wise...he listens
To comings and goings
A bit timid some may say
Yet, he is OK, the platypus
A gentle creature
Keeps to herself largely
Doesn't bare his soul
Or burden anyone unnecessarily
He keeps his own counsel
Nourishes herself quietly
And often disappears
To be alone awhile
Underwater or on land
She lives on water's edge
Burrowing into rivers' banks
Duck-billed, unusual to see
Almost symmetrical
He is OK, the platypus
Uniquely being herself
In his own way
Quietly being
Itself, the platypus
© Elizabeth A Feisst 5 November 2005
{Click to enlarge}
THE FALLEN APOSTLE
In the Great South Land
The sandstone cliffs have
Given way to the tests of time
The Apostles standing tall
In rithing southern sea have
For many bygone years been
A testament to nature and
Her laws of rhythm and flow
In years gone by London Bridge
Did fall to the waves and now
The clay Apostle similarly
A heap of rock round which
The sea swirls washing away
All evidence of its life's tenure
People stand on cliff-tops in awe
Of nature's scaping - a coastline
Ravaged by storms o'r years gone
As she moves on, nature calls
The tune and man just stands
Wondering how and why..
To nature it matters not as she
Continues to move and flow in
Orderly rhythm; man needs learn
Nature's orderliness for then
Harmony would facilitate beauty
Flowing with, not against nature's
Tide; living and moving in being
The Fallen Apostle relinquished
Control to the flow and rhythm
Of the call of nature's glory.
©Elizabeth A Feisst 5 July 2005
{This picture shows the Apostles and I believe the foremost Apostle is the one which fell last week (July 2005). Originally there were 12, now with the falling of one last week I believe there are only 7 left. One can see this vista by travelling the Great Ocean Road route, an awesome experience which I did once in 1991 when living in Victoria.}
KOOKABURRA
Australia's kingfisher
Sits highly perched
In his gum tree
His day begins
With laughter; he
Continues laughing
And in his unique
And beautiful way
He shows us how life
Can be if one laughs
Like the kookaburra
His face exudes smiles
As this smart bird
Begins each day
With a hearty laugh
And continues this
Life approach daily
Enjoying his view
Laughing and laughing
What joy and sparkle
A heart of laughter !
The laughing kookaburra
©Elizabeth A Feisst 21 May 2005
{Click to enlarge}
KOALA
The Aussie bear
So delightfully different
Being himself up a gum tree
Sleepy, slow, cumbersome
Yet is this bear smart !
He observes all calmly
Chooses wisely does he
His leaves and tree houses
He waits, looks around
Makes a choice, then
Slowly clambers down
To ground, skoots quickly
Across to his choice abode
Then, slowly rises into
A new haven of calm safety
Which provides his delights
And nurtures his being
And to boot, a great view
Of the world; then slowly
Deliberately once again,
In between sleep and rest
Another choice of when
And where, then
Repeat performance
Koala, unique in breed
Simply Australian-owned
©Elizabeth A Feisst 17 May 2005
{Click on thumbnail to enlarge}
THE GHOST GUM NEAR ALICE
The ghost gum near Alice
Among the scrub
And near the red ranges
Stands alone and tall
Her arms reaching skyward
Shining silver in the lowering sun
Her bark smooth as silk
Ghostly white
Yet her branches
A little ragged with time
Hosting birds of prey
In wait for food
Leaves silver green-grey
Perhaps ready to feed
A would-be flame
Of intense heat
Should the earth
Need a rebirth by fire
The ghost gum near Alice
A sentinel of grace
Strong and tall
In a rough terrain
Where life is
Survival of the fittest
Strength overcoming weakness
Yet smoothly saying
I am here to stay
Life in all its facets
Can be lived well, says
The ghost gum near Alice.
©Elizabeth A Feisst 24 March 2005
Brief explanation: As an Australian, this picture has always "spoken" to me, and was the inspiration for the above poem. "Alice" is of course the central Australian town, Alice Springs -
NEW ZEALAND
KIWI BIRD
Kiwi bird
Rarely heard
Yet so profound
And all around
The globe is known
Pictures shown
Yet kiwi does
Not care for buzz
Gets on with life
There’s never strife
Just quietly rubs
In search of grubs
On which to feed
There is no greed
As kiwi searches
Chicks she nurtures
A curious site
A kiwi might
Just look to you
Flightless, brown
Long beak, round
Blending well
One cannot tell
The kiwi be
Roots or tree
Forest home
Known to roam
Kiwi bird
Rarely heard
Yet known to all
New Zealand’s call.
© Elizabeth A Feisst 9 May 2005
