15 and counting

b. 1994

15 years old, Christmas holidays by the sea.

Ruby, Michael and Fela ~ St Kilda Beach | Melbourne | Australia

Merry Christmas

Christmas season ~ Melbourne, Australia

Back in the warm embrace of the lucky country and seeing home with a new set of eyes I acquired in New York.

Merry Christmas!

The long way home

New York – Seoul – Melbourne

I looked down at one point, saw what appeared to be the spine of the world and realised beyond doubt, that one day I would make my way to Siberia.

En route

New York, New York. December 11, 2009 – Last subway ride to class for the year.

Semester 1 done at ICP. How time flies…
Time to make my way back to hot, sunny Australia to spend Christmas scantily-clad on the beach, just as the first biting winds of Winter descend on the city and freeze me to the bone.

Perfect timing, as far as I’m concerned…

The outermost edge of things

We took the No.12 to some place
then the 14
somewhere west
of there

this deep in the flowery grass

we gave up waiting
for the No.5
and took the 23

the crickety mound where the season sings

having missed the No.3
which was early
we managed to catch
the 15
which was late
and took us as far as

one green island, one gas tank, graffitied

that most accustomed of places:
the outermost edge
of things.

~ “Romantic Voyage” by Gregory O’Brien

Roll back stone

Driving into Warrensville past Our Lady Queen of Peace
My old friend Tommy says “We still got that at least.”
Fifty six years old. Years of junk and speed and crack.
Tommy says, “Dooley, you know sometimes I think I’m not coming back.”
Pulled into Gaby’s. Drank and talked till way past dark.
Tommy says, “Jesus didn’t die alone. You can read it in Luke or Mark
But sometimes I can’t hardly breathe I feel so alone.”
I say. “Tommy, I got to leave.” Roll back stone.

~ “Warrensville 2” by Joe Green

Be here now

Don’t let your mind get weary and confused
Your will be still, don’t try
Don’t let your heart get heavy child
Inside you there’s a strength that lies

Don’t let your soul get lonely child
It’s only time, it will go by
Don’t look for love in faces, places
It’s in you, that’s where you’ll find kindness

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

Don’t lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don’t put your trust in walls
‘Cause walls will only crush you when they fall

Be here now, here now
Be here now, here now

~ Ray Lamontagne