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The Crackenback Winds
8 April 2019

It’s roaring outside now at forty-two knots
Like a thousand beasts on a rampage
We’re bunkering down in an effort to sleep
But I know that the battle is lost.

The ending of this I can’t fathom or gauge
With windows and walls being battered
While the neighbouring trees sway, scream, crack and fall
Their valorous roots yielding to rage.

Another sound beats all to test our fettle
As the wind swings the chimney cap round
The poorly-set copper is grinding its teeth
An incessant screeching of metal.

I’m thinking of creatures in fear in the wild
And hoping that none come to grief
It’s likely this onslaught will take something’s child
Before this night’s madness should cease.

© Michael Reid 2019, all rights reserved

Salted Lips of Time

Reaching from a wind-swept dream, oh yeah

A silent pleasure-ground of smiling sun

And dancing seas, eternity above,

A fire within.

Sailing, gliding, sifting promises

Of love-dried sand through answered cries;

A seagull diving, I above, unclothed

And free, licking salted lips of time -

And life, a fresh-blown memory

On morning’s eyes.

Oh the wind-swept dream

Oh the smiling sun

Moruya memories

When the world was one

Oh the wind-swept dream

And the smiling sun

Fading memories

One by one

Alive, enchanted, feeling with the sky

And for a world apart, a past denied

A dream embraced, my wind-swept dream,

My sailing, silent carousel of love,

This freshness draining tears to sighs,

And pleasure to our Mother’s mastery.

Oh the wind-swept dream

Oh the smiling sun

Moruya memories

When the world was one

Oh the wind-swept dream

And the smiling sun

Fading memories

One by one

Fading memories

One by one

Fading memories

One by one

Moruya Heads, November 1978 (as amended)

© Michael G Reid 1978-2019

Recently my mother-in-law (MIL) celebrated her 80 something a few years off 90th birthday and we were tasked with finding a birthday cake. There aren't too many places to buy a cake in South West Rocks so our options would be very limited.....One bakery, IGA and Coles.  The bakery didn't sell any birthday cakes (is a bakery even a bakery if it doesn't bake cakes), so off to IGA it was. If you've ever been to SWR you'll know that there is a cute cafe opposite IGA so we thought perhaps they might have cakes.  We walk in and there are two, yes 2 giant cakes that look divine. We ask if they will sell the whole cake (sorry if you went for coffee and cake that day and had slim pickings but we were desperate) .....and yes they would for a price.  SOLD!! My husband asks which one I prefer, and I reply it doesn't bother me as it's not gluten free so I won't be eating it.  Since having 3/4 of my bowel removed due to Cancer, I've become very Gluten intolerant so I normally don't get to enjoy the birthday cake. The lady responds, this one is Gluten Free as I made it. Happy days kids I get to enjoy cake with my MIL.

Other family members who participated in the ritual of birthday cake eating had no idea it was Gluten Free and it was the best....so far... Sponge and Gluten Free cake I've ever had.

I wonder whose Birthday is next ?

For the benefit of any Members who collect indigenous art, I've loaded on the CMX Marketplace a selection of works for sale. At present they're listed with fixed prices, however once CMX has released its Auctions module, I'm proposing to create an auction sometime in 2023 for any unsold works.

These works are all quality works purchased in the mid 2000's from the highly respected Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane, Australia.

You will note in the Listings that I will accept select fiat currency and/or Bitcoin in full consideration.

To view the various works simply go to the Painting section within the Art, Artifacts & Collectibles portfolio.