My mother said, ‘Don’t dwell on it, and it will go away.
‘It only makes the matter worse by being sad each day.
‘Your mind will make your worries grow, so chase that gloom away.’
‘And get on out, forget your fears, have fun, find friends and play.
‘If you can’t say a word that’s nice, then just don’t speak at all.
If you are spiteful, criticize, you’ll find your friends won’t call.
Cut off your tongue before it utters words to make you small.
Then you will love, and loved you’ll be, you’ll stand up strong and tall.’
‘Comparisons are odious’, my mother said to me.
‘If others say, “I am the top”, then you can just agree.
‘Don’t try to better them, but do your best and just be “me”.
‘Ignore the competition, and you’ll live a life that’s free.’
‘Now gluttony’s a deadly sin, don’t gobble more and more.
‘Take all in moderation, leaving something for the poor.
‘It’s greed and avarice that causes lack, disease and war.
‘Be moderate in all you do, you’ll even out the score.’
And be polite to everyone, look well groomed, tidy, neat.
Be courteous in all you do, have manners when you eat.
Then welcome those who come to call , be pleasant when you greet.
One day the Queen may visit you and Royalty you’ll meet
When I grew up, got busy working, rushing here and there.
My mum said, ‘Stop. You can’t do everything. Don’t tear your hair.
‘Tomorrow is another day with hours and time to spare.
‘So pace yourself, go have some fun, be happy and aware.’
‘If you are doing any job, make sure you do it well.
‘They say with good intentions is the paving road to hell.
‘So take your time and use your skills and soon that care with tell.
‘You’ll have more pride in what you do – and it may even sell.’
My mother took her journey to the light, she’s been long dead.
But she’s alive within my heart because of what she said.
And in my mind her words still speak, they’re often in my head
To guide me through the day until I lie down in my bed.
My mum was wise, I aim to be like her – keep these in mind:
‘Remember to take time for fun, be moderate, true and kind
‘And not compete, just do your best, go play, relax, unwind.
‘Your life will then be happier – true peace and love you’ll find.’
‘I’ve learned a lot from life’, he said, while sitting on the hill.
And yet there’s more to learn I know. We keep on learning still,
Until the day we all ascend up to those pearly gates.
The time rolls by exceeding fast when you put on your skates.
‘Don’t hesitate to make the most of every hour each day.
Remember how, when you were kids, out in the street you’d play,
Until the last sun ray was gone and stars were in the sky,
And mum would call, “Do come inside”. “Not yet”, she’d hear you cry.
‘Remember when you couldn’t wait to go to your first school,
And then you couldn’t wait to leave – get out from teachers’ rule.
To have a car, a job, a date, was what you’d want to do,
And you would learn from everything, some lessons clear and true.
‘Then suddenly you’re all grown up – responsible and strong.
You thought you were invincible and that your life was long.
You rushed to work and raced back home. You loved to organise.
Your kids went here, your spouse went there, but did you realise…
‘That while you rushed to make your life the perfect textbook one
You’ve missed the point, you've lost the “now”, forgotten to have fun?
You tried to keep up with the Jones’ – to have what others had.
But if you take the time to look you’ll see your life’s not bad.’
‘You see this daisy that I hold is really rather small.
But yellow petals glowing in the sunlight tell it all.
That if we’re there in stillness, quiet, do nothing, simply grow,
Perhaps the learning comes to us and we will learn to know.
(c) Joan Small March 2010
My Shadow and me
There’s a shadow that’s following me and I can’t get away
It’s an alternate version of me that makes work or play.
It’s in hiding and telling me how to create a new thing.
It brings smiles or it wrinkles the brow or makes my heart sing.
When I listen and follow that ghost do just what it might say
Or not, instead follow the host or I go my own way.
I can stumble and fall in a heap and I cry out ‘why me?’
I can’t easily go off to sleep and my eyes fail to see.
But my ghost is here all of time so I’ve nothing to fear.
I can pick myself up feel the rhyme my eyes see and ears hear.
I can sense the best way, be aware and a rose I can smell.
My shadow and me are both one. We’re alive and we’re well.
They stood inside the garden in Australia Zoo that day
The most beautiful of gardens
where the crocodiles all play.
They had come in many thousands, looking on with tears in eye.
As the heroes of the moment both descended from the sky.
In the clouds they saw the image of Steve Irwin on his croc.
And beside him in his race car was a youthful Peter Brock.
Dressed in racing gear resplendent, Peter Perfect to a T.
And they heard Steve blurt out ‘Crikey, have you come to visit me?’
‘I remember I was swimming with the fish upon the reef.
My surroundings were amazing, such a scene defied belief.
We had cameras and were filming for my gorgeous Bindi child.
For her show she wanted images of creatures swimming wild.’
‘Then a sting ray flew towards me with his wings outspread and wide.
I was mesmerized with magic as I came up to his side.
Then I swam above him slowly just to get a better view.
But he must have been quite startled. That was the last I knew.’
‘Though I’m the brave Croc Hunter, I am jelly fish inside.
I am Bob and Bindy’s daddy and the day I died I cried.
For the parting took more courage than my wrestling with the crocs,
Catching snakes and spiders hiding in the crevasses and rocks.’
‘Now I’m here with Peter Perfect, not with Terri and the kids,
And I sure will miss them badly – they’re the greatest billy lids.
I will stay beside them always, though they won’t know I am there.
As they grow up and they prosper they will know that I still care.’
‘I was born near Brocky’s birthday February 22.
Just four days before his big day, quite coincidental too,
As I died four days before him in a freak of fate quite strange.
If I’d wanted a companion no-one better I’d arrange.’
‘For Brock's a national hero, always striving for the best.
He was called King of the Mountain; he was faster than the rest.
With ten victories at Bathurst his Brock Special was his brand,
And his name will be remembered through our great Australian land.’
‘And like me, the King was having fun the day he left the earth,
At a rally in his coupe somewhere not too far from Perth.
When he slid across the wet road and he failed to miss a tree.
I was watching from my cloud and saw him drifting up to me.’
‘Oh Crikey Brock, and welcome. It is not so bad up here.
You’ll be pleased to know we’ll never age, and I’ve brought Aussie beer.
We can keep an eye on all so that they do just what they ought,
Looking after all the animals and racing motor sport.’
‘It was time to pull our number on September 4 and 8.
Now St Peter is awaiting at the shining pearly gate.
And I bet we’re both admitted to the heavenly realm above
As there’s thousands in this garden who are showing us their love.’
The magic ingredient, key to success
Is confidence. This is the truth, not a guess.
With the confident one you are willing to trust.
To avail of her service is surely a must.
She knows what she’s saying before it is said,
Because she’s researched and it’s all in her head.
No need to reflect on the words she will say.
Which means she can look in your eyes all the way.
The person with confidence emanates grace.
Her posture is strong, she’s a smile on her face.
She holds up her chin so her voice projects out,
And all can hear clearly there’s no need to shout.
To engage, fascinate, take you on her path,
Involve and inspire, encourage to laugh.
If you would aspire to be lover or friend
Gain confidence now and you’ll come to that end.
in Australia Zoo that day
