Category: Uncategorized

A few years ago we decided to make our transition to Australia official, and we accepted Australian citizenship. We are now Australian. We are able to sing the anthem with pride and ownership. Our prime minister, for all his faults, is Malcolm Turnbull. Not Trumbull. Not Trunbull. Turnbull. Maybe Trump and co liked the matching pattern of ‘Trum’ even though it is not a matching pattern at all. Turnbull is not perfect, and Australia is not perfect, but it is a good place to live in. The benefits far outweigh the negatives. The people are relatively friendly, there are no wars, it is safe, we have fresh food, lamingtons, shelter, work, and also, in general, there is courtesy. We wait in queues if we have to. We make way if we have to. We are protected by anti-bullying and harassment laws.

Which means the brash and disrespectful tone of other…

A week or two ago on a Sunday morning just about at a time I would consider brunch time we watched this Muskrat repeatedly climb up and down the river bank picking mouthfuls of grass, carrying them back to the river, swimming along to his favorite spot and them munching away to their hearts content. No endless mimosas at this brunch buffet but the grass sure looked good.

Clear Creek in Denver, CO.

When Mikhail says we’re making ready

That flags upon the charts are being laid

And our leaders posture, rhetoric unsteady

Should we listen to what Gorbachev has said

Should we listen to experienced survivors

To the experts who seek evidence and proof

To academics, historians and scientists

Who study past and future for the truth

Should we listen when the charities are groaning

Under siege to manage shelter, food

While governments can always conjure money

To weaponise our world for some vague good

When the friend within is demeaned and benighted

And tolerance is seen as enemy

When hatred escalates and is encouraged

Should we listen to what others maybe see

Should we listen to ourselves when twinges niggle

And reason urges calm and look again

Or should we just do nothing and make ready

To pursue a path that leads to greater pain

When the meanwhiles of the nations are unfolding

When the jigsaw picture’s starting to…