Hamlel

Blog

  • Richard Wilson Blackwood tenor ukulele

    Richard Wilson Blackwood tenor ukulele with K&K pickup.

  • Peter Coombe short scale tenor guitar

    Peter Coombe 21″ scale small body tenor guitar. King Billy pine top, Blackwood back/sides.

  • Peter Coombe A5 style mandolin

    Peter Coombe A5 style mandolin. Red spruce top, Clara Walnut back/sides.

  • Ome Juniper tenor banjo

    Ome Juniper tenor banjo from Omsburg era with 12″ pot.

  • Graham McDonald Stromberg-Voisinet style mandolin

    Graham McDonald Stromberg-Voisinet style short-scale mandolin. Canted spruce top, Tulip Satinwood back/sides.

  • Graham McDonald flatback mandolin

    Carved top, flatpack mandolin by Graham McDonald. Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood back and sides.

  • Goodtime fretless banjo

  • Glover fretless nylon string banjo

  • Blackwood Gully

    A first rough recording of a tune called Blackwood Gully played finger style on tenor guitar in GDAE. I haven’t transcribed it yet so a recording was a good way of documenting it. Probably still a work in progress.

  • Gentle Breeze

    Gentle Breeze is an instrumental for tenor guitar in GDAE.

  • 5 4 3 5 3 4 5

    This is a first rough recording of 5 4 3 5 3 4 5 which is an instrumental composition for a plucked string ensemble of mandolins, acoustic lap steel guitar, tenor guitar and Irish bouzouki. I couldn’t think of a title so I went with a simplification of the time signature structure (the 4 is actually probably 8 made up of 3, 3 2).

  • Winter’s Touch

    Winter’s Touch is an instrumental piece by Andrew Charman-Williams played on a tenor guitar by Peter Coombe (GDAE tuning). First recording of a brand new piece – I did think about layering it with a few more instruments but at the moment I like it stripped back to just the two tenor guitar parts.



  • Morning Light

    Morning Light is an instrumental for high G ukulele.

  • Waiting (Twiddling Thumbs)

    Waiting (Twiddling Thumbs) is an instrumental study for high G ukulele.

    Notation

  • Droplets

    Droplets is an instrumental tune for high G ukulele.

    Notation

  • Banjo Hornpipe

    A tune by me without a proper name at the moment on tenor banjo with fretless nylon banjo and acoustic bass accompaniment. A few wrong notes but maybe if I ever record it again I’ll get them right. It’s a three two tune which were often called hornpipes (or triple hornpipes to distinguish them from other hornpipes in 4 or 2).

  • Walking Not Running lyrics

    Version 1

    Walking, not running,
    Through the tapestry of twilight hues,
    Where shadows dance on the edge of day,
    And the world breathes in a quiet sigh.

    No hurried pace, no frantic steps,
    Just the rhythm of a heart at ease,
    In sync with the whispers of the wind,
    A gentle cadence, a slow release.

    The path unfolds beneath my feet,
    A mosaic of earth and fallen leaves,
    Each step a story etched in the soil,
    Tales of journeys, both near and far.

    The sun, a fading ember in the sky,
    Paints the horizon in strokes of amber and gold,
    A masterpiece of the closing day,
    A palette of dreams, untold.

    I tread upon the canvas of nature,
    Feeling the earth beneath my soles,
    Connected to the pulse of the land,
    In this moment, where time strolls.

    Not a race against the hands of the clock,
    But a communion with the silence,
    Where the rustle of leaves and the song of birds,
    Compose a symphony of tranquil compliance.

    A mindful saunter through the sacred,
    A meditation in the art of being,
    In the slowing down, I find the essence,
    Of a journey that transcends mere seeing.

    So, I walk, not run,
    Along the path of quiet contemplation,
    Embracing the serenity of each step,
    In the hush of the world’s meditation.

    Version 2

    (Verse 1)
    Walking, not running,
    In the twilight’s gentle glow,
    Where shadows waltz on the horizon,
    And the world breathes soft and slow.

    No hurried pace, no frantic steps,
    Just the rhythm of a heart at ease,
    In tune with the whispers of the breeze,
    A melody of tranquility, a sweet release.

    (Chorus)
    I tread upon the canvas of nature,
    Feeling the earth beneath my soles,
    Connected to the pulse of the land,
    In this moment, where time strolls.

    (Verse 2)
    The sun, a fading ember in the sky,
    Paints the evening in hues untold,
    A masterpiece of the closing day,
    A palette of dreams, a story to unfold.

    Each step, a tale etched in the soil,
    A journey written in the falling leaves,
    I walk the path of quiet reverie,
    Where the heart finds solace, believes.

    (Chorus)
    I tread upon the canvas of nature,
    Feeling the earth beneath my soles,
    Connected to the pulse of the land,
    In this moment, where time strolls.

    (Bridge)
    Not a race against the hands of the clock,
    But a communion with the silence,
    Where the rustle of leaves and the song of birds,
    Compose a symphony of tranquil compliance.

    (Verse 3)
    A mindful saunter through the sacred,
    A meditation in the art of being,
    In the slowing down, I find the essence,
    Of a journey that transcends mere seeing.

    (Chorus)
    I tread upon the canvas of nature,
    Feeling the earth beneath my soles,
    Connected to the pulse of the land,
    In this moment, where time strolls.

    (Outro)
    So, I walk, not run,
    Along the path of quiet contemplation,
    Embracing the serenity of each step,
    In the hush of the world’s meditation.

    Version 3

    Walking, not running, through the quiet streets,
    Where echoes of footsteps blend with the heartbeat.
    Underneath the city lights, a nocturnal ballet,
    In the moonlit shadows, I find my own way.

    No rush, no race against the ticking hands,
    Just a stroll through a world where time expands.
    Street lamps flicker, casting a gentle glow,
    As I weave through the city, letting thoughts flow.

    The pavement beneath, a textured story unfolds,
    Each crack and cobblestone, tales of lives it holds.
    I’m a wanderer in the urban twilight,
    A poet in the symphony of the city’s night.

    Neon signs whisper secrets in electric hues,
    As I navigate the city’s labyrinth, wearing midnight shoes.
    A steady rhythm of footsteps on the pavement,
    In the stillness of the night, a silent engagement.

    Walking, not running, through the city’s embrace,
    Discovering beauty in each forgotten space.
    A slow dance with the urban serenade,
    In the quietude, my worries begin to fade.

    Gentle winds carry fragments of distant sounds,
    As I stroll through the quiet streets, unbound.
    Reflections in windows, a transient mirage,
    In this nocturnal reverie, I’m the sole voyage.

    The city sleeps, but my steps are wide awake,
    In the hushed alleys, dreams and reality intertwine.
    Walking, not running, through the city’s heart,
    A nocturnal explorer, making art from the sublime.

    Version 4

    Walking, not running,
    Beneath the silvered veil of night,
    Where the moon whispers secrets,
    And stars paint the canvas of quiet delight.

    No hurried strides, no racing beats,
    Just the cadence of a thoughtful gait,
    In step with the nocturnal symphony,
    A melody that transcends the hour late.

    The world, a silent observer,
    As shadows play on the moonlit ground,
    A ballet of contrasts, light and dark,
    In the stillness, a tranquility profound.

    Step by step, the journey unfolds,
    A pilgrimage under the celestial dome,
    Each footfall a note in the cosmic score,
    A serenade to the universe, a quiet poem.

    Through realms where time takes a pause,
    And the night sky cradles the wandering soul,
    I walk, not run, in the hallowed quiet,
    A voyage where introspection takes control.

    No destination set in stone,
    Just the path of quiet exploration,
    As the night embraces with open arms,
    A sanctuary found in the art of contemplation.

    Walking, not running,
    In the hush of midnight’s embrace,
    Where the world sleeps, and dreams unfurl,
    I find solace in the unhurried pace.

  • Lost Without You lyrics

    The morning light creeps in
    As I lie here in my bed
    My thoughts drift back to you
    And all the things we said

    Oh my love where have you gone
    I’m lost without you can’t carry on
    I long to hear your voice again
    To feel your touch to ease this pain

    The days are long the nights are cold
    My heart is heavy my soul is old
    I wander through the streets alone
    Wishing you were here to guide me home

    Oh my love where have you gone
    I’m lost without you can’t carry on
    I long to hear your voice again
    To feel your touch to ease this pain

    I know that I’ve made mistakes
    And I’ve caused you so much pain
    But if you could find it in your heart
    To come back to me we could start again

    Oh my love where have you gone
    I’m lost without you can’t carry on
    I long to hear your voice again
    To feel your touch to ease this pain

    So I’ll wait for you my love
    And hope that you’ll return
    Until then I’ll sing this song
    And let my heart yearn

  • Weight of the World lyrics

    Verse 1
    I’m sitting here with my guitar
    Strumming chords in the dark
    Trying to find the words to say
    All the things that are in my heart

    Chorus
    Cause I can feel the weight of the world
    Pressing down on me
    And all I wanna do is find a way
    To set my soul free

    Verse 2
    There’s a pain that runs so deep
    It keeps me up at night
    And I’m afraid if I don’t let it out
    It’ll consume me from inside

    Chorus
    Cause I can feel the weight of the world
    Pressing down on me
    And all I wanna do is find a way
    To set my soul free

    Bridge
    So I pour my heart out through these strings
    Hoping that someone out there feels the same
    And maybe we can find a way
    To make it through another day

    Chorus
    Cause I can feel the weight of the world
    Pressing down on me
    And all I wanna do is find a way
    To set my soul free

    Outro
    I’ll keep playing this guitar
    Until I find the peace I seek
    And maybe one day I’ll look back
    And see how far I’ve come from where I used to be

  • Chance to Breathe lyrics

    Version 1

    Verse 1
    Finally alone, a chance to breathe
    Time to relax and find my peace

    Chorus
    Take a breath, refresh my soul
    Time to relax and be alone

    Verse 2
    The quiet fills me, no need to rush
    This moment’s mine, no one to push

    Chorus
    Take a breath, refresh my soul
    Time to relax and be alone

    Verse 3
    Gather my strength, prepare to go
    Grateful for this time alone

    Chorus
    Take a breath, refresh my soul
    Time to relax and be alone

    Version 2

    Verse 1 
    Finally alone, a chance to breathe 
    To take a moment and take in my peace 
    Let go of all my worries, no need to grieve 
    This is the time I’ve been longing to receive 

    Chorus 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy 

    Verse 2 
    No need to rush, I’m taking my time 
    Letting go of all the things on my mind 
    My worries feel so far away 
    Now I can find some peace and stay 

    Chorus 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy 

    Bridge 
    This is the time to just relax 
    Let go of all the stress and take a break 
    The peace that I’m feeling is so sweet 
    Letting go of all the burdens I have to meet 

    Chorus 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy 
    A chance to breathe, a chance to just be 
    Enjoy the peace and regain my energy

  • Beauty of Solitude lyrics

    Verse 1

    Alone I sit, in peaceful joy,
    The world outside I ignore
    A moment of peace I enjoy,
    Without a need for more.

    Verse 2

    The sun is setting in the sky
    The birds are singing a sweet tune
    A gentle breeze is in the air,
    The beauty of nature in bloom.

    Verse 3

    I take a deep breath, let out a sigh,
    My worries far away
    In this moment I’m content 
    As I start a different day.

    Chorus

    The beauty of solitude,
    It’s a pleasure I embrace
    It’s calming and serene
    In this moment I have grace.

    Verse 4

    The sky is turning from day to night,
    A starry sky above
    A peaceful calm I feel inside,
    A feeling of utmost love.

    Verse 5

    I look around and take it all in,
    The beauty I can see
    The peace and joy I find in solitude
    Is a gift that’s meant for me.

    Chorus

    The beauty of solitude,
    It’s a pleasure I embrace
    It’s calming and serene
    In this moment I have grace.

  • Loving my Solitude lyrics

    Verse 1
    I’m feeling free and content
    In my own space and my own time
    I’m embracing this solitude
    And I’m feeling just fine

    Chorus
    I’m enjoying my own company
    I’m loving my solitude
    All the freedoms it brings to me
    I’m loving my solitude

    Verse 2
    I’m letting go of all the noise
    No distractions, just me and my voice 
    I’m finding peace in being alone
    And I’m loving it more and more

    Chorus
    I’m enjoying my own company
    I’m loving my solitude
    All the freedoms it brings to me
    I’m loving my solitude

    Verse 3
    My own space is my paradise
    I’m taking this time to be kind
    I’m free to express who I am
    Unhindered, unafraid

    Chorus
    I’m enjoying my own company
    I’m loving my solitude
    All the freedoms it brings to me
    I’m loving my solitude

  • Time Alone lyrics

    Verse 1
    I’m an introvert and I need some alone time
    I can’t be around people all the time
    I’m not trying to be rude, I just need some space
    Can’t you understand, take a step back and give me a break

    Chorus 
    Give me some time, to be alone
    Let me take a break, away from the phone
    I need time to breathe, time to be free
    Just let me be, let me just be me

    Verse 2
    I don’t want to be rude, I just need to be alone
    I need a break from the noise, from people talking on the phone
    I just want to be away, no need to explain
    Just let me be, don’t try to make me feel ashamed

    Chorus 
    Give me some time, to be alone
    Let me take a break, away from the phone
    I need time to breathe, time to be free
    Just let me be, let me just be me

    Bridge 
    I know I’m not the only one
    That needs some time away, needs some time alone
    Just let me be, don’t try to make me feel ashamed
    Let me find some peace, and just let me be me

    Chorus 
    Give me some time, to be alone
    Let me take a break, away from the phone
    I need time to breathe, time to be free
    Just let me be, let me just be me

  • Solitude lyrics

    Verse 1
    When night falls and the stars align
    I take a moment to step out of time
    I choose to go within and explore
    The beauty of intentional solitude

    Chorus
    I find peace and stillness there
    The beauty of intentional solitude
    I find solace and comfort there
    The beauty of intentional solitude

    Verse 2
    When I’m ready to open my heart
    I take a moment to be still and start
    My journey within, to find a new way
    The beauty of intentional solitude

    Chorus
    I find peace and stillness there
    The beauty of intentional solitude
    I find solace and comfort there
    The beauty of intentional solitude

    Bridge
    In this moment of stillness and peace
    I find a way to reconnect with me
    To find my center, to feel my own bliss
    The beauty of intentional solitude

    Chorus
    I find peace and stillness there
    The beauty of intentional solitude
    I find solace and comfort there
    The beauty of intentional solitude

  • Epiphone Wildkat electric guitar

  • Phoenix nylon string guitar

  • kit built tele thinline electric guitar

  • NS Design NXT5a electric cello

  • NS Design NXT5a electric violin

  • Eastwood Classic Tenor electric guitar

    The Eastwood Classic Tenor is an electric tenor guitar with a semi-hollow body and two humbucker pickups. Like tenor banjos tenor guitars can be strung and tuned in different ways including the fifths tunings CGDA and GDAE/GDAD or Chicago tuning DGBE. This is currently in 5ths tuning.

  • Realist RV4e electric-acoustic violin

    Realist RV4e acoustic violin with built-in pickup.

  • Breakneck bowl lute – 8 course

    Breakneck bowl lute which is an 8 course renaissance lute made in Pakistan. Renaissance lutes generally had between 6 and 8 courses with the highest course being a single course and the rest double with the lower courses often strung in octave pairs.

  • PRS SE Paul’s Guitar electric guitar

    PRS SE Paul’s Guitar electric guitar. Stoptail bridge, TCI “S” pickups with coil-split, 635mm (25″) scale.

  • Ibanez RGT1221PB electric guitar

    Ibanez RGT1221PB electric guitar with hardtail bridge, DiMarzio Air Norton and The Tone Zone pickups, neck-through Wizard III neck.

  • Katoh ALEX/CS classical guitar

    Katoh Alex/CS classical guitar which is a modern interpretation of some 19th century style guitars. It is a small body guitar with spruce top and rosewood back/sides.

  • Anuenue S20 Featherbird Classical Guitalele

    Anuenue S20 Featherbird Classical Guitalele with pickup. Guitaleles are a hybrid between guitars and ukuleles with some being more like a ukulele with six strings and others a short scale classical guitar. This one probably leans more towards being a short scale guitar.

  • Waxen Form

    the wick runs short the 
    candle fades
    then flickers
    and goes out

    how many people
    has she warmed
    how many
    shared her light

    though with the wind
    and with the rain
    her flame
    nearly died

    she overcame
    everything
    until finally
    there is no more

    now she has
    no use no 
    beauty she 
    lies still cold

    darkness surrounds her

    is this the 
    end or the 
    beginning
    of something new

  • Voices

    Voices
                from the distance
    Voices
                muffled indistinct
    Voices
                no recognisable words
    Voices
                an indistinguishable drone
    Voices
                occasional bursts
    Voices
                almost understandable
    Voices
                fading back to the hum
    Voices
                before words can be caught
    Voices
                continual endless
    Voices
                sounds of pain
    Voices
                images of sorrow
    Voices
                raised in ecstacy
    Voices
                laughter to tears
    Voices
                through the walls
    Voices
                seeping in
    Voices


    Then suddenly silence

  • Violated

    I

    man
    strong violent
    forcing striking manipulating
    anger brutality fear pain
    hiding flinching dissembling
    frightened bruised
    woman

    II

    T
    HE
    THRUS
    TO
    FT
    HE
    KN
    IF
    E

    Pure
    Crystal
    Glimmering
    In the handle
    Of the instrument
    Designed for pain
    Agony
    Torture
    Death

    III

    Lust
    Passion
    Uncontrolled
    Male dominance
    Abuse of power
    Taking without asking
    Forcing upon the victim
    Completely unwanted
    Fully undeserved
    Violated
    Traumatised
    Defiled
    Rape

    IV

    She said
           no
    She whispered
           no
    She breathed
           no
    She said
           no

    She said
           no
    She pleaded
           no
    She implored
           no
    She said
           no

    She said
           no
    She shouted
           no
    She yelled
           no
    She said
           no

    She said
           no
    She begged
           no
    She screamed
           no
    She said
           no

    SHE SCREAMED

    V

    Pain 
         Anger
              Agony
                   Brutality
              Agony
         Anger
    Fear

  • Unexpected Elegy

    The doctor
    he told me
    don’t worry

    it is a 
    quite normal
    usual

    reaction
    there isn’t
    anything

    any need
    or reason
    for concern

    why will he
    no longer
    talk to me

  • Under the Stones

    Buried beneath the multi-coloured stones
    She sits waiting to be found and captured
    Captured for her incredible beauty
    A beauty that is so rich, so unique

    Undamaged by the pressure of the stones
    As they are moved back and forth by the sea
    The sea which is her mother and her home
    Now both protecting and threatening her

    Frail and strong, hiding underneath the stones
    Waiting timidly for the right captor
    The one that will give life and love to her
    Who she will trust, risking herself for it

    He comes and so she releases the stones
    So he is able to discover her
    He gently raises her, held in her thrall
    Will she be crushed when she loses control

  • They, the Voices

    And then I heard
The voices
Calling to me
Tormenting me
I wished to return to
Silence
Silence like it used to be
Silence where I could
Hear myself
Be myself
Be at peace
Constant
So, so constant
Attacking me
Condemning me
Shut up
For God's sake shut up
They
They listen in on me
On my feelings
They
They know everything I do
All about me
They
They know
Everything
Every thing I do
All about me
They
Damn you go away
I am no longer safe
I can no longer keep
My privacy intact
They
They invade my mind
Pervade my being
And it never stops
Even when the voices
Go silent
They
They are still there
Watching
Listening
Being
Slowly
Killing me

  • The Question

    Born in stillness
    Out of nothing
    The question appears 

    Living in thought
    Scaling the wall
    The question is found 

    Growing stronger
    Full of power
    The question remains 

    Flying higher
    Delving deeper
    The question searches 

    Dying in pain
    Out of despair
    The question is lost

  • The Letter

    Contained 
    In the clean crisp
    Cover

    Seven
    Neatly folded
    Pages

                   Carefully
                   Worded

                   Substantial
                   Reasons

    Cover
    Now discarded
    Garbage

    Crumpled
    Paper lying
    Scattered

  • The Colour Green

    I

    Rain in the mountains
    Flowers, trees
    River rushing through

    Peace, serenity
    Music of extraordinary beauty
    Subtlety, variety

    Trees towering above
    Hundreds of years old
    Enormous ferns below

    Rainbow colours
    In the sky
    Rainbow birds, flowers

    Granite boulders
    Rocky outcrops
    Gnarled, twisted trees

    Keep, preserve
    Not destroy
    Earth’s natural beauty

    II

    sounds full of glory
    visions grand and majestic
    rainforest beauty

    III

    Whispers in the trees
    Distant sound of water
    Running around rocks and boulders
    Through the deep, green, ferny gullies

    Stunningly beautiful
    Small and pure white
    Hugging their hosts
    The orchids on the trees

    This is the land I love
    Cool and moist
    Unforgettable smells
    Rainforest

  • Short Poems (R – Z)

    shadowed figures against the dark

    dark black
    empty
    the space
    appears
    slowly
    a light
    blue cold
    is seen
    shadow 
    bodies
    enter
    the glow
    figures
    one two
    moving
    spinning
    turning
    leaping
    the dance
    begins

    Sister Moon

    She glows so brightly
    So pure, round and white
    Shedding light upon
    Friends and enemies
    Lovers and fighters
    Fully unbiased
    Remaining aloof
    Coldly distant
    But in her coldness
    Is beauty and love

    So Blue

    So bright
    So alive
    So blue
                             sad
    So cold
    So pale
    So blue
                             is
    So distant
    So removed
    So blue
                             so
    So moving
    So expressive
    So blue
                             blue
    So hurt
    So sad
    So blue

    So nice

    Delightful
    Irresistible
    Alluring
    Nubile
    Nymph-like
    Erotic

    So sss….

    shining
    stretched
    silver
    strings
    splitting
    smooth
    shining
    surface
    sensual
    soft
    supple
    shape

    Spider’s Lair

    Intricate
    woven nets
    delicate strong
    glistening
    silvery
    soft and shining
    dirty brown
    sticky filth
    covering walls
    opposites
    or are they
    both the same thing

    Temper, temper

    Earthquakes
    Volcanoes
    Floods
    Cyclones
    Droughts
    The earth
    Gets its
    Revenge

    The Book

    I tried 
    to read
    the book
    but it
    was closed
    to me
    no matter
    how I tried
    I could not
    open it
    to find the
    joys the truth
    the images
    that lay inside
    I could only
    imagine what
    experience
    I was missing

    The Cat Sat on the Mat

    Sprawled
    Across the
    Fluffy white carpet
    A small black
    Cat

    the chicken or the egg

    Should
    the content fit the form
    or
    the form fit the content

    The cigarette

    A wisp of smoke
    arises from
    the cigarette
    left neglected
    in the ashtray
    slowly burning

    The Ghetto of Love

    A slave to love
    Addicted to love
    Forced into the emotional ghetto
    By potent powers
    Too forceful to
    Deny or control
    When these forces wane
    The choice comes
    Commitment
    Or dissolution
    Until a new situation
    Creates new forces

    The Prowler

    Hovering out of sight
    walking the hills
    Searching a position
    to see unseen

    The Quest

    Endlessly searching through all the old books
    Attempting to find the question’s answer
    The question that is in an unformed form
    Searching for a clue a key to open doors
    To expand to enlarge the boundaries
    To attack and break down the barriers
    Walls that separate the known from unknown
    Unknowable from the easily found
    Looking for what may have been overlooked
    Diving delving into strange untouched realms
    Places of fear hope love hate life and death

    Tightrope Walker

    Treading 
    the fine line
    between
    two terrors
    balanced
    opposing
    evils
    equally
    painful
    one for a lifetime
    the other

    Time Span

    Past
    Present
    Future

    One to regret
    to remember with pain
    One to endure
    to lessen the pain
    One to fear
    to expect more pain

    Yesterday
    Today
    Tomorrow

    Waiting

    Subdued light
    flickering on
    the upturned faces

    Calm, patient
    expectancy
    all waiting for what

    Sudden hush 
    indicating
    event’s arrival

    Waxen Beauty

    Glistening white
    on the pitted
    rough surface
    reflecting light
    from the yellow
    red blue flame
    glowing orange
    through the green walls
    strange contrast
    immense beauty
    variety
    as it burns
    functional art
    so complex yet
    so simple

    Well I don’t, not today anyway

    Irritation

    Desolation
    Obligation

    Negativity
    Opposition
    Turbulence

    Bitterness
    Exasperation
    Lethargy
    Isolation
    Estrangement
    Vehemence
    Enmity

    Inquietude
    Neglect

    Loathing
    Outrage
    Violation
    Embitterment

    What Is, What Isn’t?

    Life is
    Love is
    Joy is
    Bliss is
    Lust is
    Fear is
    Hate is
    Rage is
    Pain is
    Death is not

    Where did it go?

    Clutter
    Bits and pieces
    Scattered
    Confusion
    Disorientation
    Carrying within
    Something clear
    Vital
    Lost amongst
    Peripheral
    Unimportant
    Signals

    Willing Slave

    You
    because
    you have such
    a wonderful
    and incredibly
    sensuous and sexy
    body to caress
    have the power
    to fully
    control 
    me

  • Short Poems (J – Q)

    jump on the merry-go-round

    nlifelifelifen
    olifelifelifelifelifelifeo
    wlifelifelifelifelifelifelifelifelifew
    hlifelifelifelifebeginninglifelifelifelifeh
    elifelifelifelifelifelifelifelifelifee
    rlifelifelifelifelifelifer
    elifelifelifee

    lives
    running off into
    nowhere
    starting from 
    the beginning

    Leaves on the breeze

    In all directions
    Blown by the wind
    Buffeted
    Without
    Choice

    Life’s that bad, is it?

    Trying to avoid
    Facing reality
    By finding different ways
    Drugs or fantasies to escape

    Light globe

    Glowing filament
    Fading slowly
    Power spent
    Leaving
    Black

    Lines

    Straight
    Lines
    Curved
    Lines

    Lines going nowhere
    Endlessly circling
    Or directly to
    Their destination

    Thin
    Lines
    Fat 
    Lines

    litrse

    wot duz
    it matr

    f i kant
    spel

    mi pernts
    didn no

    y shud i

    means to an end

    twist
    bend
    strain
    cook
    doctor
    rig
    fiddle
    juggle
    fake
    act 
    bluff
    cheat
    LIE

    One plus one

    One 
    Person
    Cannot love
    Fully without
    Interaction with
    Another life
    A second
    Person
    Two

    Patterns of Light

    Myriad
    Reflections
    Splattering
    Diffusely
    Producing
    Latticework
    Creations

    Perfection Lost

    It was something
    exquisitely 
    beautiful
    delicate

    A perfect
    example
    of the artist’s
    ability

    Now it is lost
    shattered broken
    split apart
    smashed destroyed

    Forever
    disabled
    There are some things
    That can’t be fixed

    Personal Taste

    small
    petite
    perfectly
    smooth and silky
    immaculate shape
    more appealing
    than other
    larger
    ones

    Pornography

    dogeared pages
    marking the places
    that are frequently
    turned to
    in the book
    thought of by some
    as indecent
    degrading
    disreputable
    scandalous
    but by others as
    celebratory
    artistic
    beautiful
    erotic
    perhaps
    it is both
    perhaps
    neither
    perhaps
    a position of compromise
    all dependant on
    the philosophical
    or moral
    base
    that the individual
    viewers
    ideas
    spring from

    Predator or machine

    Deep within the rainforest
    Hidden in the valley
    Unseen unseeing
    Still able
    To cause
    Death

    Probably not

    I sat down
    to write a
    poem of
    happiness

    I finished
    with one of
    hate despair
    emptiness

    If I tried
    to write one
    of chaos 
    destruction

    Would I write
    a poem
    that is full
    of love joy

  • Short Poems (A – I)

    A place of dreams

    Open space peace
    serenity
    water slowly
    dripping onto
    the mossy rocks
    vast cavernous
    cathedral like
    in its beauty
    its majesty
    a place to live
    a place to love
    a place to die

    Beauty in Grey

    the grey
    scruffy
    floppy
    clothing
    trying
    to hide
    but not
    able
    to hide
    the slim
    sexy
    body
    beneath

    Cause and effect

    Differing
    Sensations
    Floating in
    From outside

    Altering
    Reactions
    Rising up
    From inside

    Contained

    enclosed by walls
    forever circling
    travelling the same path
    yet remaining contented

    Dear Jane

    How can I tell you
    That it is over finished
    Without hurting you
    Making you responsible
    For a fault in me
    My lack of ability
    In relationships
    My needs for personal space
    Outweighing my need for love

    Definitions of Self

    Who
    I am
    An attempt
    To embody
    The complexities
    Of personality
    In a clear simple manner
    An impossible task
    Any attempt is
    Compromising
    The essence 
    Of my
    Self

    essences of existence

    life
    breathing
    warm
    love
    glowing
    passion
    death
    crying
    cold
    hate
    burning
    anger

    Fantasy – Reality

    Horror stories
    Not always
    Fiction
    Fear

    First Date

    I found her attractive
    She gave enough signs
    That she wanted me
    But I
    For reasons unknown
    Make no advances
    Leaving her with
    Thanks for the coffee
    And a kiss on the cheek
    And so today
    Have regrets about
    What could have been
    And an incredible aching
    Pressure

    Flickering in the light

    Dancing figures
    Flitting around
    Sensual
    Ecstacy
    Hazy
    Shadows

    From below

    churning
    bubbling
    heaving
    finally
    surfacing
    bringing
    pain
    fear
    memories
    of death
    loss
    of self
    reliving
    destruction
    devastation
    defilement
    of hope

    Greenie

    we have no environmental problem
    we have 
    social, political 
    economic problems
    causing 
    environmental damage
    Treat the illness
    not the symptoms

    Hot Buttered Crumpet

    Seeping through the holes
    Flowing down into the base
    Warm golden liquid

    Impenetrable Veil

    Dull grey
    walls
    shutting me in
    creating a barrier
    between me and 
    other people
    the outside world
    protecting me from
    harm but also causing
    pain by not allowing me
    to get close to
    anyone or
    anything
    outside the walls

    Inseparable Opposites

    Love and hate
    bound together
    so closely
    that they cannot
    live apart
    cannot survive
    without or
    with each other
    resulting
    in confusion
    disorder
    bewilderment

    Insignificant Drip

    Insignificant drip
    creating ripples
    expanding outward
    influencing much

    Insignificant drip
    slowly eroding
    moulding reshaping
    solid rocks below

    Insignificant drip
    affecting many
    perhaps not quite so
    insignificant

  • Shadows of Sleep

    I

    death
    peaceful
    eternal
    final
    sleep

    II

    sudden flash of light
    erupting from the muzzle
    one more statistic

    III

    An endless sleep
    A sleep without dreams
    Without fear without pain
    Sometimes 
    The prospect 
    Can be very
    Appealing

    IV

    ripples disturbing
    the surface of the water
    as life slowly fades

    V

    small
    round
    and white
    they lie there
    strewn across the floor
    the bed
    the table

    blank 
    white 
    rectangle
    note pad with no words
    sleep
    solution for one

    forever

    VI

    the blonde locks of hair
    are now falling to the floor
    splattered vivid red

    VII

    he is hard to see
    this small dark shape 
    etched against the night sky
    hard to notice until the shape
    is silhouetted against the brightly lit
    windows of the concrete tower

    a shadow 
    moving past
    the white squares
    getting 
    gradually 
    larger

    flashing 
    blue and red 
    lights
    seen through the crowd
    of shadows in the night

  • Room

    There is a room
Full of colour
Buried
Deep inside
The grey brick building
 
A room
Full of colour
Not because of
Decor or
The room's quality
 
Full because of
The life
The spirit
Of the person
Who inhabits it
 
           *
 
           The
 
           *
 
Was I ever happy
Yes I was
Once
For fifteen minutes
I was
I was happy
 
           *
 
           Room's
 
           *
 
 
Everybody
Has to die sometime
It is no use
Crying about it
Excuse me for
For laughing it's just
It's just that it
It helps hide the pain
 
           *
 
           Colour
 
           *
 
When I went home
My parents
Wouldn't allow
Me to use
The swimming pool
And when I
Gave my sister
A kiss she
She wiped it off
Yes that hurt
That hurt that did
 
           *
 
           Gradually
 
           *
 
Living corpses
Nothing but bones
 
           *
 
           Fades
 
           *
 
 
He said
If he was in
My position
That he would
 
He would
Commit
Suicide
 
I'm not
A problem
 
Am I
He made me feel
I am
A problem
 
           *
 
           To
 
           *
 
I'm tired
Tired of pain
Tired of seeing
Healthy people I
Want to die this Sunday
 
           *
 
           Grey
 
           *
 
Don't cover my face
With a sheet
I wouldn't like that