I love the night culture of the Philippines and how the twilight turns headlights into the moon. After the hot sun sinks and before the moon rises.
Category: Little Poems
little poems with a Japanese flavour
Mangroves
seated the sunshine flecked, with salt
Her Own Shadow
What days are these? Where you can only be found -- inside your own shadow.
Last Night’s Rain
tiny bubblets lodge in a spider's trap last night's rain © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine An evening downpour in the Philippine tropics is followed by intense morning sun, giving life to every rivulet and bubble before they transform back to cloud.
Your narrative
each new sun lights layers your narrative sensitive to light © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine
Splashed with red flowers
Kid's water park excited shrieks wet selfies. Splashed with red flowers. ‘Tita Mel, you have little red flowers on you’ cried 11 year old Jerry as we were leaving a kid’s waterpark yesterday. Underneath the steps of a shrieking watercoaster,…
Of trees
keep the secrets of trees close
Rearranging the shadows
inside shadows a young fish passes beyond the mangroves
On the low tide
young palm frond turned, green to burned gold on the low tide © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine
Easter Moon
flying late my Easter moon alighting Dubai
Putting out fires
wet skies falling over burnt bits of land My Uncle Richard emailed me his latest watercolour a few days ago -- inspired by the "water, wet skies and bits of land" (he told me) of the NSW New England. Yet all…
Next to the Sun
standing next to the sun I saw the city shine © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine
Memory of a Kiss
glowing on the beach lighting her long hair, carried cool before their kiss
Leaves by the Riverbank
barbed blade and broken midrib, cobweb netted vein cover river sand in your story
Street Cat
Posturing Above his subjects Always a street cat, still
Faded
her painted smile outstretched the years of silent heat and stormed cloud
Vexillology
little flags cerise black red flapping in the wind
Above the kitchen
wind strikes hollow bamboo sticks against long since seashells
A Ballet of Water
“like ballet” said a young voice “like a ballet of water”
Spinning
shrieks of excitement birthday wrappers all torn spinning toys spin -- for hours
The Beat of the Drums
In the distance the drums continued to beat. © 2019 Melinda J. Irvine [lmt-post-modified-info]
Winter Monsoon
Three goats out — eating winter monsoon sod Three goats run — running mid-season squall
Marvin
a gentle voice speaks his heart in poems and paint A little poem for Marvin and all who speak their heart using a paintbrush. Pictured at Artivism 2.0 Iloilo City -- public art with a social impact.
Lion
camouflaged lion between birds & bamboo two restaurants and a salon © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Ngaduun (crab)
ngaduun captured by hand back a decade, or more REFERENCES Gumbaynggirr Language Names National Parks and Wildlife Service NSW https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/education/2010GumbaynggirrLanguageDatabase.pdf Gumbaynggirr Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-op http://muurrbay.org.au/languages/gumbaynggirr/
Cloudy
rock pool shook by the north shrilled wind cloudy
Along the Rural Road
neat rows of pointed pines along the rural road one wild daisy
Another Life
Squinting. Another life through the cracks.
Fashionistas
torn by the staples the haughty magazine fashionistas My Uncle Richard created these incredibly beautiful, yet haunting portraits by tearing and collaging pieces of glossy magazines. I found them leaning against a window pane in his house.
The Window Sill
on the window sill bottles sitting in echoes memories -- not dust
Astern
more than 10,000 low and muddy tides she stands astern. still
Drooping She-oak
drooping limbs flailing she-died -- not quickly
Scattered Seaweed
shreds of seaweed break -- the beach © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine The last shreds of seaweed break up kilometres and kilometres of empty low tide beach. Broken from the bottom they were dumped on the sand, soon they will…
Whales
whales passing nearby external assembly © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
White Water Bird
river currents creasing her — white winged reflections © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Painted Gums
street composition afternoon art © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine As I wander the late afternoons I often ponder how the early masters like Yoshimoto, Basho and Buson would haiku and haiga our 21st century landscape.
The Navigators
before any great journey is the silent division and brooding contemplation © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Sunbathing
basking her bottom head hiding - rear to the sun shining. black lizard © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Gum Blossoms
tangled river walkway gum blossom cepheids
Broken Leaves
sunset falls to earth broken leaves reply © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Mission Beach Mornings
shoes back behind allowing morning cool contiguous to toes
Above the Ocean
cape. fronded textures
Along the Kennedy Track
mangrove roots swathe rock to sea old coast walkway © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Springtime in the Blue Mountains
Spring's contenders rhododendrons waratahs
Shadows On the Fence
spring fell between the cracks shadows on the fence © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
The Wildflowers Are Always Out in Blackheath
Blackheath flowers blossom all the year back of the toilet block wall
Wet
dark brown muddened bract rain leaves the garden © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Little Firefighter
Friday firefighter dressup sliding down the firepole
Real Stripes
before a human hand ever painted a spot or stripe she must have seen one © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
The Outside Light
the night silences a city -- her outside light speaking only low tones © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine
Stand-off in the Kitchen
I don't wish to kill you Mr Spider But I don't wish Jerry to be bitten either ...
Rust
bawal = prohibited umihi = urinate diri = here !!!! = please
Haiku for the Sun
six sodden rain weeks greyed skies -- gloomier parents then you remembered
Palm Roots and Blooms
old concrete mossed green tiny white flowers
The Garden in Wet Season
mud blotchy shadows cover days old rain
All Stretched Out
inspired art by oceans all stretched out our human community © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Location: Mandurriao, Iloilo City (Philipppines) This lovely mural is at the Atria in Iloilo City. #sustainable #ourfutureoceans
Appearance and Reality
seeing senses skewed © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Skewed I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Guimaras Island, Iloilo (Philipppines) PS: I found Bertrand Russell's 'The Problems of Philosophy' for 85 pesos buried in a bookstore yesterday,…
Of the Forest
one piece of the forest fallen, at my feet © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Forest I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Guimaras, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Old World Tropics
bare feet uncover a new island old world pandanus © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Observe I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location:Guimaras Island, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Under a New Window
there's a place I sit where only tree tips are seen and the new window © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Vague I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: La Paz, Iloilo City (Philipppines) My friend Jane Dudley…
Saying Goodbye
a few days remain part of her life the kittens © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Uncompromising I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Things Get Messy
no sleep tonight the neighbours dogs © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Messy I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Touch Me Not
touching a 'touch me not' we wait the restart © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Restart I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Astral
midnight a wet balcony becomes the moon © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Astral I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Reforestation
from the top of the island where the trees were once bamboo nursery © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Encrusted I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Calagnaan Island, Carles (Philipppines) Note: A little poem about a new bamboo forest…
Holes in the Road
no matter where you step there's always a hole in the road maybe we're all in one © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Cavity I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Jaro, Iloilo City (Philipppines)
Pink Umbrella
diminishing bright fuschia, hot pink, piggy pink, baby pink, champagne © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Conjure I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Lapaz, Iloilo City(Philipppines)
Old Ensemble
worn like a costume Teddy Bear © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Costume I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Disentangled
entanglement density completely or veneered © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Simplify I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Iloilo City (Philippines)
Creature
seeing someone's feet in the city sludge, I fall © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Creature I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Iloilo City (Philippines)
Waiting To Go Home
among the steady trill of motors, beats, our time we are all, just waiting to go home © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Trill I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Balasan, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Boy in Orange
recurrent concrete - support the tiny framework © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Silhouette I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Balasan, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Mighty Pink Ones
and all shall bow before thee (but not me) © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Dominant I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Three Sodden Weeks
(passing) green stretched rice fields the tiny hut twinned rainbow of T-shirts © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Horizon I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: San Dionisio, Iloilo (Philipppines) Riding the bus through the first full day of…
She rises, she falls
long lines of palm frond wind filled, each crease each pore delineates the gust © 2018 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Undulate I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Guimaras Island, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Off to Sea
concrete cast boy alive for the ocean winsome © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Winsome I'm part of Post A Day 2018 Location: Banate, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Afternoon Elegance
Phoebus Stretched his hands Unto each tiny stem and floret © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Elegance Weekly Photo Challenge: Ascend I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Batad, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Flowers of the Tropics
red petals thick and scrunch no rain past their doorway #poetry #haiku #poem
Spider
beneath a noisy party carefree games and un-shoed feet a spider waits #poetry #haiku #poem
Atmospheric
women's gowns compete with Christmas lights resplendent to the ceiling © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Atmospheric I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Jaro, Iloilo City (Philipppines)
Building a Sand Trap
palm fronds and bamboo stems wait against a broken shoreline for high tide watching their livelihood wash away © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Dubious I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Pilar, Capiz (Philipppines)
Waiting
bottle caps black street stones white ball-pen scraped checkerboard © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Black Weekly Photo Challenge: Temporary I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Burnt Sunset
burning orange sky poverty reduced to a silhouette the panacea of dusk © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Panacea I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Estancia, Iloilo (Philipppines)
Real Market
weaved by hands hanging, basket & bauble beautiful © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Fluff Weekly Photo Challenge: Rounded I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Iloilo City (Philipppines)
It’s Raining
red and purple pieces of city lights and lumes inside a street puddle © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Surreal I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Iloilo City (Philippines)
Jerry’s New Shoes
flash colours interchange a nine-year-old's grinning illuminated shoes © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Enlighten I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Iloilo City (Philippines)
Someone Before Me
on a lonely shore someone had stood before me webbed footprints in sand © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Exceptional I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Nambucca Heads (Australia)
Beach Pedestrian
washed beyond her kin brown, no longer wet seaweed beach pedestrian © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Weekly Photo Challenge: Pedestrian I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Nambucca Heads (Australia)
Spring Rhododendrons
bright pinks, red-purples pamper the twisting ivy spring rhododendrons © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Weekly Photo Challenge: Windows Daily Prompt: Pamper I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location: Blachheath (Australia)
The Colour of Water
children’s voices loop just over the wet bracken rushing mountain stream © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine This is my response to the Blogging University course Writing: Intro to Poetry (Day 1 Water) I'm part of Post A Day 2017 Location:…
Fire in September
flames, cousins, aunts, fire tentative photo of mum the old fire place © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Tentative I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Fallen Leaf
shunning the sun's sting fallen leaf turns gently brown hidden mountain stream © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Sting and Leaf I'm part of Post A Day 2017
More than a Moment
though he smiles for me the hand on the water pump stuck, in his eternity © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Jiffy and Trance I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Wet
open to the wind her loud (faster) rushed and wild catch a single drop © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Solitary and Unfurl I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Stinger
running across concrete, catching stinger (the 2pm sun) glaring (that bus driver) driving driving another 5 afternooned hours © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Glaring I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Don’t Drink the Pink
In the Philippines don't drink the pink pepsi You might find her a little too spicy ... © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Spicy I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Symphony
symphony in the market each new table a leisurely andante © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Symphony and Amble I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Baby Brothers
baby takes a a bath laundry tub filled with brothers one partner hiding © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Partner I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Roadside Fiesta
her sultry shimmer betwitching her passersby late night fiesta © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Shimmer I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Three Cats Run Away
three moxie cats flex their ambitions then run away © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Moxie I'm part of Post A Day 2017 SaveSave