How many little boys have passed tickets shouting their delight through this old steel gate? © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Gate I'm part of Post A Day 2017
The Old Steel Gate
Tag: Postaday
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
New Rice
the late sun falling into each new stem of rice © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Afternoon Caper
faded sun finding its last men waving goodbye © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Caper I'm part of Post A Day 2017
The Outdoors Life
Do you have the grit for the outdoors life? A life where you'll sleep not alone (but alone). Where everyone sees, but no one sees you. Where everyone knows you, but nobody knows. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Grit…
Little Savage
every thing primal in your wreckless purrrrrrrrrr © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Savage I'm part of Post A Day 2017
A Stranger
"Jerry!" I called loudly, a fist filled with branches a cell phone camera in the other, awkward under the mass of white flowers trying for a picture. But it was a stranger who turned around walked back smiling and held…
Cat Has a Name
This is Maxine and she is definitely not allowed inside. Well mostly anyway. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Tether I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Aloft
little white sail inside a green sea aloft © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Sail I'm part of Post A Day 2017
The Kids of Purok 7
Jerry visits an old playground where his house used to be © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Scamper and Snack I'm part of Post A Day 2017
No Passenger
all the day she waits as afternoons roar with no passenger © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Passenger I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Sea Snake Snack
curious me I kinda wish I'd eaten one mmm kind of © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Snack Weekly Photo Challenge: Transient I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Little Family of Strays
Yesterday on our afternoon walk, I swore I heard some lost kittens calling each other. To be honest it's actually hard not to find or hear lost kittens on afternoon walks, there are so many street dogs and cats roaming…
Roots
along an old trail we walk to grandmother's house seven kids and me © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Roots and Gray I'm part of Post A Day 2017
The Island of Stars
to the top we climbed in the sunny shining "ulihi ulihi gid kami" they passed us by going to the down we are so late so very very late © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Sunny I'm part of…
At the Back
decades turned this wheel like clothes worn, falling into that place at the back © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Wheel and Knackered I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Buying Fish
dodging rain tubs filled with last night my morning begins along mud splatters and shouts of 'Ma'am! "You buy? Ma'am, you buy!" my green rubber thongs step around two tiny girls in freshly checked uniforms and bits of sun shine…
Papaya
papaya sweet-scented flower the whole night © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Perfume I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Two Hot Days Later
he wanted pets trapped small fish and shrimp in plastic cups © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Cringe I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Monarch in the Garden
stately white flowers hold tall their golden sceptre perfect lined satin © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Illusion I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Dogwood Original Photo Challenge (Week 15)
WEEK 15: Artistic (Metal) Cold, hard steel. Shiny Aluminum. Or even rusted and broken down. Find your inspiration in metal this week. The Dogwood Photo Challenge The Dogwood Photo Challenge is a series of weekly assignments responding to a theme…
We Watched the Tide Fall
we watched the tide fall chased tiny fish into cups swimming till sunset © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Commit I'm part of Post A Day 2017
A Box of Marbled Paper
My mother is a talented artist and has experimented in many different mediums over the years. One of my favourites is paper and only yesterday I was thumbing through some paper marbling she did for me last year. At the…
Endless Energy
Jerry my little loop-de-loop from sun to gone, it sleeps but it never stops © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Loop I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Don’t Take Your Freedoms For Granted
When I first came to the Philippines three years ago I thought it would be a great idea to blog about the issues I was witnessing here. Typhoon Yolanda had just happened and there was a lot of talk about…
Ice-on-a-Rope
There is alway a little bit of comedy to be had in a large block of ice being strapped to a tricycle or rickshaw or tethered by a narrow rope. Particularly when these huge ice blocks aren't hand carved from…
Reusing the Bottle
Sitting in a bamboo stall drinking soft-drink out of a glass bottle by the Philippine roadside is like an adventure. It's oppressively hot and noisy and the overcrowded buses and trucks and tricycles dragging bamboo stems three times their length…
ENFP = Messy
I'm an ENFP (that's Myers-Briggs talk) and basically that means I'm messy. Yep, by nature I'm one of those creative, messy people that has a desk filled with papers and other junk without a hint of filing. These days I'm…
The Mental Health Section
Thumbing the sketchbook I find the mental health section Volume 1: "She Thought She Might Implode:" In Blue Biro. Volume 2: (Out of Print) © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Detonate and Volume I'm part of Post A Day…
Men in Trucks
Having worked for so many years as a manager in charge of Workplace Safety my heart always goes out to the men, women and sadly children who have no choice but to accept hazardous working conditions. Just look (in the video…
Back to School
More than two months of summer vacation ended yesterday as Jerry trotted off to class in his school uniform and shiny new school shoes. He was super excited. Part of the excitement is being allowed to get his own tricycle…
Brassy
upright all the day sun-burned pink and pale, orange hibiscus flower © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Brassy I'm part of Post A Day 2017
The City Speaks
© 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Radiate I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Dogwood Original Photo Challenge (Week 11)
WEEK 11: Landscape (Reflection) Find a way to show your landscape/natural beauty in reflection. The mirror world revealed. I just loved the way this neon Billboard from the SM Mall in Iloilo City infused new light into a dirty street puddle. Swapping…
Surviving the Trip
Whenever Jerry and I are riding the highway in a tricycle I do have the odd morbid thought about whether we will survive the trip. Tricycles are great for photographs, the scenery is so close you can literally touch it.…
Dogwood Original Photo Challenge (Week 10)
WEEK 10: Portrait (Environmental) Show a subject in their natural habitat. Their place of work or hobby is a great start. Tell their story with the environment. The Dogwood Photo Challenge The Dogwood Photo Challenge is a series of weekly assignments…
Storm
storm's precipice monsoon strikes the mountain evanescent © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine This poem was published in 50 Haikus (Volume 1, Issue 11) a literary journal featuring only Haiku poetry in open form. Daily Post: Precipice Weekly Photo Challenge:Evanescent I'm part…
Expanding the Reach of My Blog
UPDATE 19 June 2019: this is no longer an appropriate SEO method and is not approved by Google. Using it may actually damage your SEO efforts. I have already deleted the reciprocal links off my website. Mel.
Banana Blossom
ripened bract unfolds her music, line and textures dance inflorescence © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Impression
Collaboration
layers of rain, greened spent leaves over damp soil (earth's) collaboration © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Collaboration I'm part of Post A Day 2017
Unmoored
adrift in the wash bucket he climbed my arm unmoored © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Adrift and Unmoored
Qualm
oh there once was a girl called Miss Vine who could hang like a thread from a power-line she hung there avariciously gobbling free electricity until someone pulled the wool from the twine © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Qualm and Descend
Jackfruit
every market corner stained with your pungent odour ma'am! you not like this? © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Notorious
Wretched Heritage
i am living a tradition my eyes pieces of tin, metal scraps for hands feet (torn nails) just look at my toes! but don't get too close you don't want to see all i've got © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Weekly…
Early
light passing torn clouds palm leaf rags tattered hut poverty a man into rice fields out the window of the bus © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Photo Challenge: Reflecting
After Dark
night sounds dogs, Dogs, DOGS fiesta’s steady THUMP Thump thump © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine
Endearing Moments of Hospitality
One thing I really love about Philippine culture is their commitment to hospitality and helping strangers. Here's a recent example (about 30 minutes ago in fact). Expecting to buy drinking water from my usual small store, I scramble out of…
Final
There is a courage in final the last stroke the brush lain; there is a courage at final the full stop the send. There is a courage in final the last line the light turned the calling and ending the leaving you gone.…
Pursue
fresh fish shine under market light a living © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Pursue
Beside the Fancy Shopping Mall
twisting bamboo maze rickety walkway stumbles sodden, someone's house © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Maze
Pieces of Pink
random memories fairy floss, flowers, kids, poo all my year in pink © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Pink
And then, suddenly, her dream changed
© 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Better I was in a dark depression when I wrote this découpé poem back in 2014: it felt nice to edit it today and make it a little bit better. At the time I…
Ephemeral
summer tides fall little friends an island weekend © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Temporary
A Simple Island Life
Each morning begins before the sun appears over the cliff raining daylight along the leeward living below our 21st century sun. Monkeys grab at fruit scraps (sometime pets) a few chickens and fecund dogs wander a small shore. Children squeal…
“was accidentally bumped to a coconut tree … due to slippery wet road”
you are dead and i am dying left behind embittered lying static stationed tombed abyss lifeless life reduced to this you are dead and i am lying heart unlit as you lay dying wretched anger’s silent hiss twisted wreck it’s…
Read More “was accidentally bumped to a coconut tree … due to slippery wet road”
Exposed
children rock mid-summer playtime © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Exposed
Panicked
hearts in our bellies baby jyn swallows a coin emergency OP © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: Panicked PS: Stopping by the house after the operation (below) baby Jyn doesn't show any signs of being rushed to the city…
Seaward
toward home engine sounds none © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Post: None
Solitude
© 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Weekly Photo Challenge: Solitude
Heard
through the sounds of dogs banana leaves sway roof tips men haul up fish nets © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Heard
The Tremble of Drums
dinagyang parade warriors dance for maidens the tremble of drums © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Tremble
Lovingly
'Ghosts cannot remember their sons,' said he. 'But mother's cannot forget their love' said me. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Lovingly
A Recognised Craft
long since a palm tree weaved tight, neatly stitched by hands above now below © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Craft and Recognize
Overwhelmed
tiny bamboo barque thick winds squall her man and net islands vanish aft © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Overwhelming
Repurposed, Reused, Recycled
One thing that delights me about the Philippines is it's dedication to repurposing, recycling and reusing everything. Filipinos are the most industrious people I have yet met when it comes to knocking something useful together at a pinch and for…
He’s Never Seen Clean
tiny warrior wall that’s never seen clean which is the artwork? © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Clean
He Needs No Friends
Arrived unwilling, he rusted (hammered in tight). Forgetting what for. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Resist
Praying for a New Moon
This moon has a scent black and pungent a small crack surrounded in smoke. It slashes at your door when the lights are gone, and demands a daughter. She bargained herself for her small sister’s stead (did the little girl see…
No Power
blackouts twice this week warm replacement lights (candles) snug stories and songs © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Replacement
A Birthday Begins
Jerry's birthday starts with a big yellow sun: then spaghetti, cake, friends. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Yellow PS: And even though his favourite colour is red, I loved how he chose his yellow birthday cake (because it had…
Birthdays Pinoy Style
Having a birthday? "spaghetti", "hot dogs" and tang it's more fun here. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Automatic #itsmorefuninthephilippines Cooking my first Filipino styled spaghetti tomorrow for Jerry's birthday treat. Ask a Filipino kid what they want to eat…
I am Awakened
unfollow my lies unfriend my indifference unfilter my eyes © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Filter
Somebody Clean that Fan
inside simple space we find creative moments family type stuff © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Simple
10 Little Soldiers
ten little soldiers standing on the ground holding up their weapons feeling very proud ten little soldiers fighting for their state fighting for their brothers fighting for their mates ten little soldiers lying brother against brother different coloured states who will…
Dodgy but Delicious Street Food
Devestation. Missed. No daily prompt poetry yesterday. So sick. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Devastation
The Successful Delivery of Magic Fish Dreaming to the Philippines
Arriving back in Estancia after more than two months in Australia and one of my first visits was to the family of Jerry's best friend. I had a small bag of gifts from Australia including a Koala plushie and the…
Read More The Successful Delivery of Magic Fish Dreaming to the Philippines
Philippine Public
women's "comfort" room we squat over grilled river (brown boxed "privacy") © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Post: Privacy
Exposure
Dark, drumming, music. Street, colour, city, light. Boy, noise, fiesta, night. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Exposure
A Weekend of Rest
a weekend of rest, (I'm still blogging though for fun) back in his country reunited us wandering the festive streets remembering us in bright streets transformed the Dinagyang aesthetic a weekend of rest © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Aesthetic and Overworked
Ambience
Tuesday was my last afternoon in Australia for possibly a year or more and the sun's golden ambience lit every tiny detail. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Weekly Photo Challenge: Ambience
RSVP
An invitation (my Philippines is waiting) I write my reply. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Invitation
Marathon of Waiting
Two months all done. Ready to fly home to you. Brave little boy waits. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Marathon
Ocean Mosaic
Ocean's bright lighting each swell and surge captured, art. Blue and exquisite. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Exquisite
What I See
You see what I see. See my world in my poems. Though you, you are unseen. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Unseen
One Sunset
She warms us, lights us. Of more is she capable, our centre, our sun. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Capable
Someday
We will watch the sunset painting names in bright colours (like a family). © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Someday
Windy Headland
Swaying small tree cling in the place where sea meets sky: everything shown. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Cling
Hills, Dad’s Lost Ear and a Dog Called Sally
The township of Nambucca is uneven and hilly and I set out this afternoon (my last few days in town for another year or more) to put those bitumen striped hills and gullies to good. Exercise. Along the way I met…
Shine
your end of day flight blackened by the sun's late shine living passed to less © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Shine
Layers of a Tree
Infinite layers of years, of bark, of living. Yet he can be told. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Infinite
Walking
Before sunset walk photographing river stuff. Nothing specific. © 2016 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Specific
Not Tonight Dear
Lady gone to sea (her mimsy flanks all about). She won't float tonight. © 2017 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Float
Tempted by the Sea
My grandmother's hands found little ships in tree bark. Tempted by the sea. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Tempted
Dragon Fruit Cactus
She flowered tonight. Only one night each year her male and female merge. © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Crossing
Gone
Linen stripped and washed (my friends will still be driving). Soon I'll be gone too © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Gone
Who was Lost at Sea
the living the left behind facing their ending down inside the sea © 2017 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Interior
Decades
"your daughter has committed suicide" my brother-in-law says to my 80 year old father "and it's your fault!" tonight after years of domestic abuse, violence and insults ... [i hang it up] he rings back, of course. crazed, demanding, belittling,…
Looking to the North
below the dune-lands is the last day of the year looking to the north © 2016 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Hopeful
Alone at the Edge
an old creek tidal separated from her kin, she hears their songs still © 2016 Melinda Irvine Daily Prompt: Mope
Renewal
as a tree grows old nature finds her own sublime ornamentation © 2016 Melinda J. Irvine Daily Prompt: Renewal