shaded back yard
a magpie pecks at the hose
unmindful of me................ jmb

each grass blade, each leaf
drenched in cicada song.......... lr

sun-bathing in her
bikini, the young girl
soon falls sound asleep............ jmm

high rise balcony
an old man looks through binoculars..... cs

full moon
the cold notes of a cricket
clearer, closer................... jmb

starlight fades

frost on the lawn shimmers........... lr

an empty snail shell;
the rustle, rattling of
dry pods in the wind........... ss

a young man knocks:
the girl's heart pounds............ jmm

heavy rainfall ...
hand in hand the old couple
off to bed early . . . cs

her smile touches
his tousled gray hair.............. jmb

his life's deeds
contained
in this old shoe box............. lr

he sings
and the underpass listens............ ss

shining through rain clouds-
the full moon's silver light
on wet grass....................... jmm

evening quiet
the children play chess by the fire...... cs

grandmother's photo
slips from the shelf
her smile endures.......... jmb

her locket-dull gold
between my breasts........... lr

my thumbnail
halves a bud-
those green stamens............ ss

bees dancing still higher-
the sunlit sky................... ss

September winds
scattering
storms of petals.......... lr

damp in the letter box
another offer to win.......... jmb

artist's envelope
a drop of red paint spilt:
the setting sun................. cs

in the twilight
walking arm in arm.......... jmm

turning away
from a wide view
of the fairway.......... ss

sprinklers green suburban lawns
-the country in drought................ lr

farmer's wife
smoothes her husband's
weathered brow............... jmb

he brings her wildflowers
and his shy awkward grin........ cs

welcome aroma-
unexpectedly cooking
his favourite food.............. jmm

spilling richly
from the ladle............. ss

lantern moon
in the pumpkin patch
bright orange globes............. lr

daylight reveals
white encrusted paddocks............ jmb

cool Sunday
staying indoors to watch
Olympics on T V................. cs

ticker-tape parade-
athletes' triumphal march jmm

mardi gras
drawing the crowds
a little closer............ ss

the space between whales
and watchers -- an undrawn breath...... lr

a white spray
of gypsophila
clings to her hair.......... jmb

waking to a fragrant dream-
jasmine in the bedroom vase......... cs