Sorry (2)

In 1881 in a tiny rural village
on fertile volcanic land an
indigenous community went
about their daily rounds tended
fields, gardens, animals, baked
bread, children played outside
…………… In 1881 ……………

White settlers fleeing dire
poverty in their home country
craved this fertile land, told
their government it should be
theirs, So their army moved
on this village, claiming false
ownership boundary disputes.

The pacifist village and their
leaders in peaceful passive
resistance stayed still as this
army approached, attacked men
and children, raped women,
arrested men, took them away
to prison, drove women and
children off their traditional land.

136 years later descendants of
villagers and soldiers met again
in ceremonial gathering at the
village. The government paid
reparations, apologised.

So late, after so many years.
We hope this helps them
along the paths they seek.


Previously posted July 2017.

Sorry (1)

Twenty first century governments
apologise for failures to meet their
job descriptions which is a forward
step in democracy but will it change
their future attitudes and directions ?

Over fifty years ago our
government sent fit trained
soldiers from our regular
army to fight an unpopular
war far away, some to be
injured, some killed. As they
returned from tours of duty
they were quietly slipped out
airport back doors to evade
angry protesters against that
far away war, their injuries,
their dead never acknowledged.

Over thirty years later the
government apologised for
this lack of recognition and
support, held victory parades
for the servicemen who had
followed government orders.

In heavy irony the government
spokesman had been active
in those long ago protests.

The apology was appreciated
but the lost thirty odd years
were not brought back.


Previously posted July 2017.

Far Away

In her early fifties with
grown children flown, yet
no one in her life replacing
the long gone husband, while
her erratic workplace called
for voluntary redundancies,
her thoughts turned to the
family friend who had often
visited on business from
his distant home country.

After his next visit
they increased emails and
long distance phone calls.
Finally she was ready,
took redundancy on her
workplace’s next call,
sold up, moved far away
to his home for her
country would not allow
him to live there with her.

His country allowed her to
live there in a happy life and
marriage for over ten years.

Until her body betrayed her,
tiny blood vessels burst in
her brain letting go of her
memories so that she only
wanted to be in the land
she used to know for
over fifty years.

He could not live there
with her, to care for her.

She could no longer
live alone.


Previously posted July 2017.

Welfare Office Visit

As I approached the downtown
welfare office for an official
form for my latest phase of
the paid up pensioners’ club
two security guards stopped
me at the plate glass front door.

Name, appointment time, reasons
for visit, ID they required.
I gawped at them, no appointment,
only requesting a form. They accepted
my pensioner gold card for ID.

At the counter I received the form,
checked it, then left. It was
approved at the front door,
I walked away relieved.

Welfare offices here have
recently had threatening visits,
knives flourished, staff shot.
I know they must stay safe.

I still feel little old ladies
are unlikely to shoot welfare
staff but maybe I am wrong.


Previously posted July 2017.

Judges

From their august benches in
our courts of law judges have
issued forth. They’ve had a
gutsful this past year, now they
sock us in the solar plexus.

The youth court judge moved off
to Commissioner for Children then
spoke his mind on care for our
troubled and troubling children.

A senior high court judge moved to
chief Ombudsman’s office then spoke
his mind on care for our troubled
and troubling mental patients.

Both gave us all a mighty blast,
made us sit up in surprise.
Their once measured judges’
statements now very blunt reports.

Yet we should not be so surprised
for over a century ago their
predecessors in district courts
founded societies to rehabilitate
constant repeat offenders.

Judges now still see repeat
offenders in repeating situations.
They are choosing action on
today’s public news media.


Previously posted July 2017.

Classes

Do weight watchers and
Jenny Craig attend diabetes
classes to learn the best
meals for diabetic customers ?

How much do customers
pay them to attend these
time consuming classes ?

As late stage diabetes patients
fill hospitals and medical
centres our government sets
up classes to halt this flow.

Living on a pension I attend
these free classes myself
learning to cook new meals,
understanding medications,
blood tests, care of feet.

Information overload !

We must reduce our intake of
alcohol, meat, carbohydrates,
some diabetics drop out of classes.
All the findings of modern
science are too hard for them.

This information from my classes
now fills a ringbinder. I told my
friend I could sit exams on
all this scientific outpouring.

She says I could pass these exams.

Would weight watchers and
Jenny Craig pass the exams ?


Previously posted July 2017.

Comfort Food

Outside heavy rain pounds
the driveway’s vast puddles
batters the windows in a
deafening uproar, darkens
the living room till i switch
on the cluster of lights.

Lunch must be eaten at home
today, something warm, tasty,
cheerful from the cupboard.

Piping hot baked beans on two
thick slabs of warm crusty
toast lubricated by melting
margerine spreading out
around its crusty base.

Aaaah … Comfort food.


Previously posted June 2017.

Pumpkin Soup

Chop garish pumpkin into
pieces squish thud squish
thud. Chop off skin scoop out
seeds slide skin and seeds
into scraps bucket clatter clatter.
Slide pumpkin pieces from board
into pan with knife blade. Add
small chopped potato to thicken
sprinkle salt and pepper over all.
Cover with chicken stock simmer.

Bubble bubble bubble lid puffs
up steam puffs out lid clunks
down after steam escapes.
Puff clunk puff clunk.
Turn down element heat
rattle rattle clunk rattle
rattle puff ssssss !!!

Lift lid test pumpkin, knife
slides in pumpkin soft as butter.
Mash pumpkin potato chunks
together stir into chicken stock.
Aaahh !! heavenly steaming aroma !
top up with chicken stock,
stir in milk – creamy texture …
Taste …… aaah !! …… !!

Heat again gently, lid rattles,
stir slowly, set aside to settle.
Pour into bowls, add sour cream
dollop, chopped parsley garnish
…………. Perfection ……….. !!!


Previously posted June 2017.