Monday, October 28, 2013

Sand Crab




I see a sand crab
digging on the shore

scuttle, scuttle, flick!
scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Pincer-fulls of grains fly
delving deep for more

scuttle, scuttle, flick!
scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Wave-y edges lapping
sparkle shiny in the sun

scuttle, scuttle, flick!
scuttle, scuttle, flick!

Watch out little crab!
I think it’s time to run!


Whoosh!


I see a sand crab
floating on a wave

paddle, paddle, splash!
paddle, paddle, splash!

Tumbling in the water
armoured and brave

paddle, paddle, splash!
paddle, paddle, splash!

Scrambling onto rocks
Clambering into cracks…

Look!

The little sand crab is back!

scuttle, scuttle, flick!
scuttle, scuttle, flick!


scuttle, scuttle




Saturday, October 5, 2013

Whales


Each time we see a whale it's magical.
And last weekend was especially so.
A mother humpback whale and her calf swam right beside us 
as we walked along the Busselton Jetty.
(You can read about the jetty here)
I wrote this poem after watching this small part of their journey.


I don’t carry a suitcase
I have everything I need
for the journey to warmer waters
where I can safely breed

When summer time is over
with tummies full of krill
I swim up north with a friend or two
to oceans warm and still

I don’t need a paddle,
an oar, canoe or boat
I wave my tail up and down
moving forward as I float

My flippers help me steer
from over here to over there
I spout on the water’s surface
and breathe in clean fresh air

In the warmer waters
I like to jump and dance
breaching out of the ocean
caught in a musical trance

Then one day my calf is born
growing larger on rich pink milk
blubber forms; she lengthens out
swimming strong like whale-y ilk

Eventually it’s time to leave
for southern arctic waves
Brimming with fish and tasty krill
it’s here for the summer we’ll stay


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Forest



Hiking is an activity that engages our senses.
And often, all at once.


The karri trees grow to magnificent heights-
ninety meters straight up to where the sunlight is bright

Their branches sway gently as the wind blows through-
leaves rustling a rhythm against azure blue

The thin canopy offered the coolness of shade
whispering and dancing its serenade

Trunks tall and smooth in a pale shade of grey
formed walls in the forest we walked through that day

We saw
leaves dry and brown on the reddish dirt track
logs blackened and fallen riddled with cracks
tiny bursts of bright purple as Hovea plants bloomed
and hollowed out trunks creating dark cubby rooms

We heard
crunching and crackling as feet trod on the trail
parrots squawking and laughing – a musical gale
honey bees humming and buzzing about
wallabies spotted causing muffled thrilled shouts

We smelt
fresh eucalypt scents – piney, minty and honey
the dampness of earth kicked up by feet running
the sweetness of pollen as wildflowers flourish
kangaroo dung on the ground which it nourishes

We felt
small furry leaves
little rough stones
plants covered in prickles
and cool breezes blow

Reaching the end, light flooding right in
we felt lucky to know of the beauty within.