A Poem A Day 24

Summer Heat

Bring the pets inside.  Water

them and the garden – soak it. 

It’s life or death, now.  The lawn

crackles underfoot.  Screenshots

on social media compare numbers

in the 40’s.  In the car I fan myself

in front of blasting aircon; I’m

one of the Bee Gees, so addicted

to the cold breeze!  The freezer

ice drawer becomes a revolving

door.  Is that bush smoke, in the

air?  There’s danger, somewhere

that wind is hot!  Tasks are left

half, or un-done – this heat saps

everyone.  Neighbours, in the evening

linger outside, trying to cool.  If only

we had a pool!  Voices drift across

patios and fences. Can’t sleep at night,

clothes thrown off – not even sheets. 

Windows open, begging for relief, but

the air is listless and heavy. Forecasts

stretch like heat haze into forever.

Kerry Miller

A Poem A Day 18

Trumped

There’s a thing I want to leave

but just can’t leave alone

Spectacle America – watch it come undone!

All the entertainment of a bus crash,

the compulsion of an itchy rash

all this morbid fascination

with a disunited nation

Why can’t I look away?

What is causing me to stay

with this news stream, bad dream,

parade of disarray?

and this churning in my tummy

more uncomfortable than funny

makes me wonder what it is

that has me up in such a tizz

‘cos it’s not like we’re alike

in our democratic biz

All our pollies have integrity

They’re not moved by popularity

voted in for their celebrity

or bartered monetarily

oh, not here!  We’re far too pure

and reasoned, ordinarily

We have no disaffected masses

Who might vote for pompous asses

No societal divide

To make the plebs dissatisfied

And all our immigrants are welcome

All we want to do is help ‘em

And the rich aren’t getting richer

And the poor all get the picture

We have harmony and certainty

A rosy coloured future

Geez, they ought to put a tax

On such “alternative facts”!

Kerry Miller 

A Poem A Day 7

Myuran

In response to 'Another Day in Paradise'.

Trafficker, son, heroin, stupid, brutal, brother, addict, worthless, friend, evil, immature, guilty, caught, convicted, sentenced, condemned, incarcerated, trapped, stopped, justice, harsh, punishment, deserved, tough, unbending, politics, intervention, controversy, international, support, diplomacy, pleading, advocacy, clemency, antipathy, polarising, desperate, reforming, supported, flawed, related, developing, sobered, hopeful, represented, repentant, pariah, undeserving, mentored, maturing, searching, learning, attempting, mistaken, stumbling, growing, painting, expressing, hoping, relating, striving, supporting, imperfect, improving, repaying, waiting, struggling, longing, determined, strong, wavering, continuing, expressing, stagnating, reviving, encouraged, ageing, disciplined, mentoring, protecting, creating, connecting, depressed, disheartened, believing, frightened sorrowful, wretched, distressed, trusting, anticipating, reviled, beloved, miserable, happy, motivated, despondent, purposeful, transformative, reflective, troubled, peaceful, discovering, elated, disturbed, inspired, worried, contented, loving, redemptive, anguished, resilient, vulnerable, powerful, resisting, surrendered, composed, grieving, tortured, sensitive, passionate, comforted, despairing, conflicted, vehement, courageous, agitated, foreboding, dreading, reconciling, confronting, foetal, forceful, terrified, aware, challenging, clamouring, crying, meditating, communicating, conscious, living, resounding,

Human.

Kerry Miller.

After attending the opening of  'Another Day in Paradise', the first major exhibition of the work of Myuran Sukumaran, painted whilst he was imprisoned in Bali's Kerobokan Prison, and during the final 72 hours of his life, spent on Nusa Kambangan Island, before his execution by firing squad, I felt I could not witness such a powerful expression of humanity without, in turn, bearing witness to what I had seen.  Sukumaran's paintings speak strongly of the pain, joy, agony, ecstasy, hope and despair of being human.  His story, which cannot be separated from his artistic legacy, is one of redemption, transformation, and human potential cut short.  His final 72 hours of work are the most powerful, and most human artistic message I believe I have ever seen.  This final work is beyond being political or even emotional.  It is a compelling testament of what it means, to be.