From The Author

Giacomo Leopardi inspired me to write this Book on 'Sunset Love'. He was inspired by a young woman across the street from him when h...

Sunset Love Book 1

 My warehouse home


In this warehouse

the poetry will flow

like a fast flowing stream

down the mountain.

For it is here, that I shall

create and produce

with so much of my life

experiences at my finger tips!

So much material that I have

not lost or given up on,

so many personal memories

of periods or chapters of my life.

Such a source of details

of times past, of day activities

and years of joy pursuing

my heart's desires, dedicated

to Italian in particular, history

and Languages, not really knowing

why but knowing this direction

for the benefit of others

and my happiness.



My Dream Factory


So much comes back to me

as memories grow and living

another chapter of my life.

This is Christmas 2018, a time

of joy and new connections,

but somehow with the past

present in every single day.

Is this the third age? When

people around you try to find

meaning in their life, in

the company that they keep?

Why is it that I am contended

in this warehouse where my world

resides amongst all these books

and so much, much more?

Is it because every day I have?

a place where I come to dream

and then turn these into reality?

In a very small way, of course!



A Mamma


Sono gia' passati 24 anni

da quando tu ci hai lasciato.

Pero' le tue domeniche a casa,

a Foley Street, con tutti noi

a tavola: ricordi indimenticabili.

Anche per i miei bambini

e quelli delle mie sorelle.

Tu, Mamma, forte e decisiva

avevi anche il dono di capire

che ognuno puo' essere libero,

pero' vicino a te, dovevano fare

i bravi e comportarsi bene.

Se no, facevi sentire la tua voce

che filtrava direttamente

su tutti noi: i tuoi figli.

Per me era come se tu avessi

uno speciale riguardo, forse

perche' ero l'unico maschio

con quattro sorelle... ed un papa'

lontano per tanti anni. E poi

sono andato a Moliterno a studiare!

Una buona decisione... riconoscevi

che un giorno, forse, ti avrei scritto

qualche poesia. Adesso e' Natale

e tu ci guardi da lassu'... Chissa' se anche

la' festeggiate quel Bambino nella Stalla.

Ora si trova in Paradiso con voi... ed e' Il Signore!

E mi domando: si puo' avere la Democrazia

in Paradiso? Chi comanda? Forse il Buon Dio

chiude un occhio e vi fa fare quel che volete...

ma proprio come te Mamma come facevi

con noi. Forse infine ognuno era libero

di andarsene o restare con te! Forse anche

il Paradiso e' cosi': chi sta vicino a Dio

e chi si trova un angolo del cielo

dove abitare liberamente. Chissa'... ma

adesso e' Natale. Auguri a tutti di la' e qua!



Finding friends


So now you are on your own...

the love of your life is gone.

She won't come back... but

she's always there in spirit!

What will I do? Keep to myself?

Or go out into the world

and find a friend or friends...

too late to commit yourself

to another... time to be free!

Yet companionship is necessary.

Too old or too young: is this

the way you feel? Will you

go out finding friends?

Maybe this is the answer moving

forward... and the memories?

The memories are always there:

they don't go away... like history!

A new chapter unfolds now. Maybe

this is my Christmas present

and for the New Year ahead!


Sunset Love – A New Chapter - Began writing 20 Dec 2018


Is your muse calling you?


Yes, because it's Christmas

and this past year is special.

So many changes, twists and turns:

a welcome holiday after so much

on my plate for so long!

Above all else, peace of mind

and heart, a more relaxed view

of the world, believing in myself more

and finding time to overcome

all obstacles in my way.

It's time to begin a new chapter,

perhaps many new chapters,

to make those long waited

books of memories, of new ideas.

And love? Where is love?

Is it around the corner or

whilst I once had will suffice?

Maybe I will find a grown up

love by the sea. To swim in clear

waters and not have to worry about

jelly fish and the likes... to just

enjoy company as the waves

come sheepishly towards us...

just you and me, as our toes

touch... and it's electricity!



A Silvana


All'Abruzzo Club devo il mio nuovo

amore per grazia di un invito

inaspettato ed incontro fortunato.

Mi sei subito apparsa anima gemella,

gioiosa e bella. Ed io son rimasto

fulminato come non spesso faccio

con chi mi sento ad agio! Vai, non mi fare

aspettare con il tuo spirito in guardia!

Lascia crescere il germoglio dell'amore

che il tempo dona a chi lo veramente vuole.

Forse al Mare chiediamo l'aiuto

per far nascere quel qualcosa in piu'

che la vita offre a chi speranza non ha piu'.

.......................................

Quel giorno quando il sole illuminava

la spiaggia, il mare e la gente con i suoi raggi,

mi sono preso anch'io una bella bruciatura

sulla pelle. Non sapevo che avevo preso

una tal cotta finquando la sera

tardi l'aloa vera mi ha salvato!

E poi di nuovo con i miei pensieri

riflettevo sulla bella giornata e compagnia,

ho pensato alle nuove avventure che io avrei

poi creato con la mia nuova poesia

del 'Pescecane e Delfino in rotta'

per nuove attivita' e tanto buonumore.

Ed ecco che comincia l'avventura li'

in quel mondo mare dove viveva

un Pescecane solitario, indaffarato

con tutte le sue cose, osservare

con interesse quella bella Delfino

che si godeva ogni giorno quell'ambiente

incantato vicino a quell'angolo di mare

dove le colline lo circondano. Li' i giorni

passano gioiosi a nuotare o sulla spiaggia

a camminare. E non solo... poi c'e' il villaggio

marino dei tanti Pesci locali che hanno

anche loro deciso di guizzare di qua e di la'.

.............................

Continuera' l'avventura? Chissa' dove

ci portera'! Sara' breve o lunga? Chi lo sa?



A full Rainbow


Whilst walking my steps

in Denman Street tonight,

I saw a full rainbow

in the sky, as it was barely dark.

The drizzle from the grey sky

hit my head as if to say

that I had found a pot of love

at each of the two ends

of that half full circle of rainbow!

How can it be that once

again I find myself reflecting

on Life's journey and how

the twists and turns operate...

Losing my previous Life's

love of forty-three years

and then staying behind to fight

for my life, my new chapters,

my new everything within and out!

The rainbow tonight seemed

to envelop my being and say:

love is there for you, find it.

Cover your new tracks with hope

and let the days, each day,

be like a new dawn. To have

and to hold in a tight embrace.

Maybe it's you I am looking for!



A friend with benefits


Right now I could do

with a hug or two from you!

How good is it when a friend?

feels the same... it's a gift

that is shared and it benefits

both in the same way!

Being close with a friend

can be a wonderful way

to have many activities together:

travelling, games, shared experiences

but also just plainly having

dinner together or a walk

in the park or on the beach

by the sea. Sharing and caring

makes companionship grow...

and yet you remain you

with all that you want to do.

A friend with benefits creates

a special bond and has

the advantage of giving both

the freedom to be themselves!



You: my inspiration


Why be so embarrassed

when you are the source

of so much joy and pleasure?

In my solitary world, there is room

for such company, as my poetry.

But she too, as a friend, has need

of companionship and inspiration.

Such a situation offers happiness

and the opportunity to travel

together on so many varied paths

of our journeys on road, rail

and on that wonderful place

in which the fish in the sea

live, play and share moments

of activity, social interaction

and rest. And if this latter

is in the shade of a willow tree,

on a bed of green grass

with petals of violets and daisies,

then we can invite the great

painters of our time to capture

this idyllic period when we can leave the

old year 2018 and welcome the new

one 2019, with open arms, caresses

and the biggest hugs that we

can muster. The only thing

left to say for a good ending

is to mutually say: ‘I love you.'

Just like inspiration is to poetry.



The New Year 2019


It was truly a spectacular event

from my vantage point there

overlooking the Yarra River

near Princes Bridge, across Flinders

Street station... and the people.

the fireworks, after a long wait,

allowed me to reflect on 2018.

Now that year is part of history.

What happened will be a source

of much thinking as I revisit

the developments of my life's

journey. Now I am on my own

and needing companionship, yet

enjoying my new found freedom.

How strange is this twist and turn!

So 2019 was welcomed amidst

a huge crowd and cheers of pure

joy and community spirit. The happy

banter of people using their phones,

cameras, video recorders and tablets.

The sheer diversity of ethnicity

and cultural make up in dress sense

showed what a truly multicultural city

we truly have developed over the years.

Such a show of a caring and peaceful

population alongside our security

and events personnel created in me

a sense of pride and a feeling of peace.

So I looked forward to cheer the 2019

year with other people, whom I did

not know, close to me. Yet the pure

excitement of our mutual expectation

to be a part of a great night was there

in between two years: the old one

with a goodbye and the new one

with so much hope and good wishes

for family, friends and all in our city,

state, nation and all of humanity

in the world and, why not, the universe!

To top it all up, in the end on our way

home, we were stuck on Princes Bridge

with a crawl pace in a well behaved

and patient crowd in the well organized

walking path that worked to perfection.

After we succeeded in exiting this very

packed mass of people, we met up with

our three lady friends and enjoyed further

good wishes for a Happy new Year 2019!

A short time together that will last forever

in my musings to come! Felice Anno Nuovo.



Our marathon


Misunderstandings will occur

between you and me. Distance,

you know, makes hearts grow

fonder. And the heart is strong

but fragile at the same time.

So, when it counts and distance

is put back in its own place,

joy, peace and harmony

will come in together just like

the Three Wise Kings from the east!

Their invitation was refused by

La Befana who chased them soon

after to no avail. Now she brings those

gifts to all children because she

missed out in giving these herself

personally to little Baby Jesus

in His cradle. Our La Befana

gifts are plentiful in those socks

hanging in the house ready

to celebrate the end of another

Christmas Season. Dopo La Befana

e L'Epifania tutte le Feste vanno via...

Soon the days will be more real

and love can grow more naturally.

Who knows how this new time will be

between you and me?! Tell me to keep

myself 'moderato' so that I will be able

to face our upcoming marathon! Love you.



You take over my life


When two people meet, they don't

know how their life may change.

The more they chat and get to know

each other, the less there is to say.

There comes a time in this journey

when words alone are not enough.

Activities, fun and games, outings

must enter into the equation...

and if this is successful,

a true friendship is created.

Friendship, companionship, love

need the physical experience

of doing things together. Then

the online relationship is more real.

So it is true that you and me

"take over some of our individual

life time to give to the other!"

Any doubt about this reality

must be set aside if we truly

want each other in the mix

of our individual commitments.

The key to all this, as a wise

man once said, is :'moderato'!



Riprendiamo... nuovo giorno


Ogni giorno ci porta nuove speranze

se lasci indietro il giorno prima,

se non appesantisci l'adesso.

Un semplice sms o frase sul iPhone

ci riporta di nuovo insieme come prima.

Essere lontano l'uno dall'altra o

viceversa causa problemi di separazione.

La mancanza fisica si fa sentire

padrona con assoluta crudelta',

domina ogni momento del giorno,

si accanisce contro l'innamorato!

Succede questo anche all'innamorata?

Chi lo sa? Forse ci vuole una confessione

reciproca per farci capire quanto

amore veramente e' presente.

Chissa' se un giorno... gia' lo so,

me l'hai detto... ci vediamo la'!

Il cuore gia' palpita al pensiero

di una camminata insieme su quel

sentiero dove tutti vanno a fare

esercizi ed o essere in compagnia.

Si', da li' comincera' la maratona.

Sara' la prima, ma non di certo l'ultima.

Tu lo sai che io lo so, ed io so che tu lo sai.



La Befana 2019


As the twelve days of Christmas

come to an end, the Three Wise Kings

from the East, on their way, to visit

Baby Jesus, where the Comet led them,

stopped whilst an old housewife

was sweeping and putting order

to her cottage. After her act of kindness

by giving the parched travelers drinks

and refreshments, the Three Men,

dressed in Royal costumes, told her

that a New Celestial Baby King

was born on Earth and would she

come with them to offer the New

Born King gifts and their respect.

The old kind housewife refused

saying that she was too busy to go.

The Three Wise Kings from the East

left... but soon after the kind old

housewife gathered appropriate gifts

and ran after the Three Travellers, trying

to catch up with them, but to no avail.

At that very moment, Baby Jesus from his

Cradle in a Manger in a poor shepherd hut,

blessed the old housewife and she became

La Befana... and Jesus gave her the ability

to travel across all the earth, in that Starry Sky,

on her broomstick and give gifts to all children

to celebrate His Arrival.

La Befana's gifts multiply as she

travels far and wide on the night between the 5th

and 6th of January each year. With the help of

Mums, Dads, and All who love children,

presents are put in colourful socks in their

home as La Befana sweeps through the air

and can only stop quickly because she is so busy!

Tradition says that La Befana only gives gifts

to good children and pieces of coal

to naughty bad children. Guess what?

La Befana this year visited me. I am an adult.

She said: I am giving you the Gift of Love.

Tell the World that I recognize that

even naughty children should receive

my gifts, since they probably need them

even more than the children who are

naturally blessed with a nicer disposition.

Tell the world that from now on coal

should remain in the ground since the world

now has the Sun, Wind and the Oceans

to provide the energy that humans need.

Remember La Befana of 2019,

when you must rewrite my story

in the Land of the First People

where the Rainbow Serpent too

and all the Ancient Spirits once

lived under the Southern Cross.

La Befana invites All People to end

the Festive season by giving gifts

inside small or large colourful socks

to honour the Little Baby in the Cradle.

Include a Boomerang Gift for children

as a sign of Love that comes back.

All the Universe in Heaven and Earth

are now at Peace because the Epiphany

has arrived, La Befana has travelled

in all corners of the Globe and, where

it is cold, they light up a big bonfire

to announce the end of the Christmas

Season. The same happens in the waters

and Lands under the Southern Cross.

People go to the beach and even Antarctica

celebrates Christmas by giving its varied

fish, birds and animals days of respite

from icy cold conditions. As the Epiphany

marks the end of this festive period, Baby

Jesus, together with His Mum and Dad,

return to Bethlehem, La Befana too

goes back to mind her own home

for another year. She is already

worrying about the presents that

she will bring to all children on Earth

next year when we will celebrate

the birthday of a Holy, smiling, radiant

Baby in his poor location in a stable,

surrounded by Love from the Universe

and on Earth by people with goodwill.

Love too can grow from very unusual

places, whether comfortable or not.

What counts is the sentiment of Care

between people and among all nations

on Earth. Glory be in Excelsis Dei!



Joy


How can it be that Joy

in my heart has come to me!

So suddenly that I am surprised

at its so great intensity!

Just like Love can enter our being

reflecting on the message of Christmas...

and the world is a better place.

So it is that Joy can do the same

for you and me when the right

person, companion, friend, lover

becomes such a welcome reality.

That feeling of being on your own

as you grow older and the sun

sets over the sea in melancholy.

You are no longer alone and feel

that somehow the Universe

has conjured in your favour.

Our favour because love for each

other, care for every day,

and such a deeper friendship

can exist... They are here now!

What Joy!



Joy in my heart


When I see you and your smiling eyes

my heart rejoices and I surrender all

that feeling of being alone... to continue

against the tides and waves of life.

These lately seemed to have approached

me negatively. Now that you are here,

the days somehow seem more friendly.

The sun rises at a different beat for me.

Such gifts I receive when your smile

or very perceptive comments and phrases

return to me, when on my own, just like

the waves of the sea reach the sandy

shores of our favourite portion of coastline.

That walk on the beach, sharing ideas

about the meaning of our existence,

the strength that we must have to continue

to live a life without a partner who died suddenly

or one who fell sick over time... and our worlds

were turned upside down for you and me.

Oh Silvana, you are the ray of sunshine

that I needed in my life... I cannot understand

how this came to be! It remains a mystery.



The fruits of Friendship


When you again meet a companion,

someone so special who brings new hope

for a future of life's limited tenure,

then somehow peace in your heart

comes to rest as each day unfolds.

We are no longer alone to face

our daily reality... we know that

there will be another walk on the beach

or in a park, or an outing to the city

or travel or just having a dinner for two.

What wonderful company we are

for each other! It cannot be explained

how such a force of nature came

to our shores... but it did arrive!

So now is the time to rejoice, to wonder

at the mystery of life that closes

doors and opens others... New

confidence and positive thoughts

return like unexpected gifts!

Oh how grateful I am for these

daily dreams for new adventures!

Yes, on the horizon we can see

the sun that rises over many new

lands where we 'll choose to go.

Maybe we should consider that

trip to Italy or Greece... elsewhere?



The future is a minefield


The future is the carrot

that dangles in the present.

But, we know, that it is also

a mine field full of surprises,

whether we are careful or not.

However we can all learn

to study this wonderful field

of ours by identifying where

the mines are located and slowly

removed. Our field is then clear

and we can enjoy the fruits

of a field that is safe and where

we can grow together whatever

our hearts desire and truly want.

But once the mines are removed

there are no more challenges.

We become more self assured

and contended. This is the time

to watch even more carefully!

In that field now there is only you

and me... we cannot remain idle...

We must work this field of joy,

happiness and satisfaction

by creating real harmony of purpose.

Are we ready for this? Will we allow

this to happen without putting barriers,

at least not permanently... for a while,

yes...those barriers are good. They do

protect certain parts of our field. I am

ready for the challenge... and conscious

that in life, there is always give and take.

Are you also ready? Let us together find out

and always try to keep it 'light and breezy'!



The challenges of togetherness


When we are free and operate

on our own in our own world,

the challenges of togetherness

with someone else remain a goal!

Why is this so? Because we

humans, are generally social beings,

but then we also want to choose

our journey through life as we wish.

So the company we keep keeps us

going ahead positively or negatively,

depending on the harmony and fun

we are having together when we meet.

How does this happen? Is it easy to do

and maintain? Do we really want to proceed?

So many questions we can ask ourselves.

Perhaps the answer is always to swim

together in the deep but often come up

for fresh air, preferably choosing 'light

and breezy' moments where the sound

of laughter, positive activities, creativity,

spirituality gathers together in unison.

Easy to say and not so hard to do...

if we want to!



Detachment


It's not our fault to love someone

too strong and in whatever we do!

We need to learn 'detachment'

so that we don't get hurt easily.

Our bolts of lightning come to us

from time to time and take over

our spirited soul. After the initial

period of getting to know, then

the mines in our field begin to show!

Removing each one is a delicate

operation ... and it all takes time.

Who knows what tomorrow brings?

It's not easy to be friends and love!

It takes a great deal of detachment

and swim through the waves of time.

Why so much pain in our heart with all

our good intentions to often stay apart?

Yes, that is the way it has to be, like

a bunch of red roses with some thorns.

It is, after all, the next stage of lives

lived with love and family. Now it's

the time to rejoice in the moment

and keep everything with lock and key!

Time is on our side to open our doors

and rejoice in each other's company,

regardless of whenever it can be!

Lucky for us with our new technology!



Connecting


Connecting instantly is such company.

Yet it can be a dragon with wings

for it allows flight of thought to be

a virtual immediate arrival at our

destination and there we stop, chat,

explore, enjoy, laugh and sometimes

remain silent. We have so much to do

and this ability is like an Achille's heel.

Keeping it all under control is truly

difficult when innocently we press

the button and connect immediately!

Are you alone to talk? Can you? Do you

want to give some of your valuable time?

You know it's ok when it's ok... and

sometime, for whatever reason, it's not!

And this can be a source of irritation...

as times slips through our fingers because

time is taken away from other tasks,

obligations, activities and fun in our

separate worlds that cannot come

together... because it is what it is...

The only remedy is to be happy

for the other, you or me, and let it be!



The effects of 'detachment'


Something came inside me

as a result of too much passion

because distance and separation

highlights what I feel for you!

Managing an intense feeling of love,

wanting to have this company, yet

only when it suits and is possible...

Too many commitments from previous

plans, hard work and the reached goals

make it very hard for us to be in unison

and as together as we would like...

Detachments is necessary on wise heads

who have done it all before with love,

with family, children and friends

for company... Over the years we learn

detachment, not allowing other loves

to enter our sub-conscious. So we stop

these feelings at our door and learn about

detachment and rejection of what could

have been. But now we are free to choose.

We both realize that detachment safeguards

our liberty. The best way forward is to remain

friends and companions and share days,

moments of great intensity and then go on

our individual way to do what we must do!

Love can grow in this stop, start, stop way.

Our journey forward is in the same direction

as we learn to come to our wagon, travel

together and stop at some station, location

and with others as we leave, knowing our

return to continue together on our own

very individual journey towards the same

destination... zigzagging through time

in the misty realm of the future.

We shall find each other every time,

for love conquers all and makes us tall!



Getting to know you


When I met you I knew

immediately that I wanted

to get to know you. I did...

because you too wanted the same

even if, at first, you didn't plan

to do this. So, how did it happen?

How long does it take for two people

to really develop a beautiful friendship,

based on love, respect, mutual

interests, similar background and prior

acquaintance in our younger days?

It didn't happen then. We both went

our own way. Then, after successful

and lasting marriages, death knocked

at our doors and our mutual partners

were no more!

We both have done what probably

many would not do: re-establish

ourselves in our own right, taking

individual responsibility for the direction

in life that we wanted to proceed with,

not fully knowing the result that such

decisions and actions would lead us to.

What effect have these had on those

around us? Did we keep it altogether? Yes, because

today we are both independent and in our own domains.

And then we met... like a lightening

bolt out of the blue! This probably

happened to us when our life's rainbow

began to form and here we found a pot

of Love. Not gold as the saying goes,

but love, a strong and lasting love, to form

our family with our mutual chosen partners.

Now we are looking at the other end

of this rainbow that crowns us

with its majestic half circle over our heads

and protects us. This rainbow is in the Land

of the Rainbow Serpent: it envelops us

under its mystical halo and brings

wisdom, joy and love. All we want now

is to live knowing now that Time

is both and enemy and a friend.

For each time that we spent time

together is a bonus. Let it be so

as we move forward under our

very own rainbow of love,

companionship and friendship.

I am sure that we are both blessed

and grateful to the Universe,

life's departed partners and to

the Almighty. We say 'thank you'

for this joy in our heart, this other

pot of love that we found in our life.



Trust


Soon we will be there with our lasting

forming friendship. We do need to have

unconditionally trust in each other

for the journey ahead. This journey is like

that of a pilgrimage as we are going towards

the Goddess of Love sanctuary and we did

not know where we would find it. Then one

day we saw clearly that a new journey was

in front of us. So we began to walk together

towards our destination and sometimes, often

enough, our old life path continued as before.

But this journey of ours will impact on the other

and strengthen our knowledge of true

independence. Not neglecting that friendship,

companionship and love are the three Wise Kings

coming to us under our Southern Cross star!



Exchanging gifts


How good is this? Me having your

gnocchi that you'll make for me!

Sharing Rochet or Baci chocolates

with a drink or two... for two!

Have you read this book? Will

you listen to my poetry? I love

reading... so why not! What

about this Italian language book?

Ok, I don't mind reading it... Did

you finish your work on the house?

Are your family and friends coming

for the holidays? Plenty to do, I say!

And you? How good is my paradise?

Well. very good, I see... Mine is of

a different kind: a paradise in my

warehouse full of books and all else!

Two different worlds and life choices

made as hope for the future.

Choices, choices and life goes on.

And thus spake Time!



Two lonely stars


We were both looking at the sky

from different places and it was night.

We texted: 'how are you doing?'.

We realized we were wondering

whether those two lonely stars

of the Cosmos would ever touch

each other! How could they possibly

do that? Each star was lonely

and reasonably happy in their

part of the Universe. But wait!

There is movement out there...

We noticed that these two

lonely stars were throwing rays

of acknowledgement to each other!

That's how those two stars became

friends... and now, at night, before

going to bed, each star looks for

the other. Distance is no problem at all,

especially if you can text or video call!



Cuddly feeling


As each day unfolds, I think of you.

I don't know why, but it's true!

Perhaps it is that we both eject

our inner darts to hit the centre

of our very own being. Why so?

Too much too soon? Not enough?

Who knows? Togetherness has

no bounds! It's that warm, cuddly

feeling that comes unexpectedly

as we live each day and do what

we must! But then those daydreams,

even at night, take over and give us

respite. Love these moments. These

are very special for we found each other

in the nick of time. And now we are

moving forward and enjoying

the fulfillment of expectations!

It's like making light of our

burdens...and happy to do so!

Togetherness, you know!



I love today


We have been waiting for today

for I don't know how long! It was

only a couple of weeks ago that we

had another 'today'... and it seems

such a long time ago! Can we have

more todays as we move along?

Just passing the time together,

holding hands and walking, looking,

enjoying the sights, sharing moments

of bliss for our souls... wanting to

stop time, but we know we can't!

Making memories instead to strengthen

friendship, care for each other's walk

through life. it's not too late to begin

another journey, many tracks in

different paths. Shall we go there?

Will we meet tomorrow? Why not

anywhere... as long as you are there!



We have arrived


It was unexpected, but we made it.

We have arrived at the first port

of our destination. The one that

gave us our first initial experience

of sightseeing together. The activities

followed naturally as if we had done

all this before. I know that perhaps

I can be a little too enthusiastic

for longer than I should. That's my

nature! We must reflect on this first

journey that has now come to an end.

We are each in our own home and that's

the way it should be! We have had our

initial taste of how we can travel together,

see the sights and then each gives

the other space. The freedom that

everyone craves. The freedom that

the Universe bestows on all humans,

if we want it... Yes, we both do!

Sunset Love Book 2

 Another Chapter


How exciting it is to begin another

chapter after the last one was completed!

Not quite! Because in my journeys and new

experiences, there are always more things

to review. The actual time spent on what

I have written or recorded in pictures

and footage requires more time if it's going

to be a good memory for me and you.

By doing this, the completed chapter can

then be relegated to history! Why do this?

Why not just enjoy the moment,

let go of what all is around you,

not worry about how the world

proceeds in its own mysterious ways?

This I cannot do, even though I know

that, maybe I should. Life is life

and sacred too. That's why I want

to continue writing my new chapter

because I want to see where this initial

experience, this previous completed

chapter leads us to. Why not become

aware of this propensity of mine

and help it along? It can be a chapter

in which you are also part of the story

as I am. Enjoy this ride together, I say,

but also enjoy the reflections that

these new tracks will provide.

Such is history that can give meaning and

gratitude if you truly care. If you want



How is your new day?


Please 'Don't cry for me Argentina"

was the memory of the life of a poor

young girl who succeeded in spite

of her background and upbringing.

She showed true grit and street wisdom

with so much hope for a future that would

continue in the chased allure of material

wealth and political influence. So once

such a goal has been reached, where

do we humans go next? Do we forget all

of our original aims in life? That is to make

ourselves and others live better lives?

Or is this purely a pursuit of selfish gains?

Does this, in the end, reach its natural demise?

Is this what life is all about? Why do we worry?

Why don't we truly love? For the sun rejoices

and shines each day, even behind those

clouds that often appear on the horizon!

Let there be the sun for you and me,

even when the clouds cover the light

of its bountiful nature. We are a part

of this Universe. We are here now.

Evita Peron in the end realized that all

the love that we hold in our heart for

others is no more than one good ideal.

The people, others whom we love, have

their own destiny, their own journey;

even when they are the victims of brutal

events, of Governments that fail them.

Such is Life, such is the way it has been!

We all, each one of us, should reflect

and say: 'don't cry for me even if you love

me!' For this is the path that I have chosen,

this is my journey and my destination will

arrive. I don't know when, but I will continue

to be true for me and you to the very end.

Rejoice in my love for you, remember all

the time that I tried to live so that we could

all be better... and then Time closed its hands

in a final applause when our deeds are done.

When we are ready to close our curtain!



Walking in Melbourne


Priceless is this walk as we stroll

in South Bank admiring the Yarra

surrounded by so much to see!

How can this be? Not every day

we have company. Therefore it's

great just to be able to appreciate

all on offer by this portion of the City!

Just enjoying looking at the Cafes

where people meet and talk, or admiring

all these buildings that have slowly

made their way upwards towards

the sky! A miracle, I say. Behold this

reality that took so long to build.

From here people from all over our

World come to watch the fireworks

that often are set up for us all. Whether

you are a local or tourist, our Central

Melbourne is truly a place of joy at

a leisurely pace. And this time it was

you who made me appreciate it all

even more, Grazie Bella.



Splashing in a spa


How good is this morning spa

and the pool. Oh, the sauna!

Refreshing experience as our

activities take form in our new

dawn! Sunset love can be fun

if we let it happen naturally!

We are there admiring the horizon

from a park bench by the sea.

And then after a good night sleep,

it's time to live it up for Time will

not be on our side forever. Time

calls the shots each day, every day.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is

a dream. So today we must fill it up

with gifts for our soul, with peace

in our heart, taking joy on our walk.

It's a simple equation, for life needs

living. Yes, let's do that!



Don't think of me


You told me not to think of you

and here I am, in the early hours

of the morning, doing just that!

Back into my own world, my niche

with Poetry My Friend. Like a pet,

she keeps me company, without

demanding anything from me!

Perhaps this is the way it should

really be when wanting the physical

presence of fellow life travelers. Each

one too, like you, needs space to do

what they have to do and must do!

I must confess that it is hard for me

not to think of you, even though I know

that I should! For you have come to me

like sunshine after another night when

only the stars and the moon gave me

light... like in a tunnel. My heart was

heavy with solitude. My sun had deemed

in a sunset after a beautiful day. This time,

I did not expect this sun's warm rays

to shine again for me! So how can I not think

of you when I am full of gratitude and love

to be with you! Let's compromise. I will think

of you whenever I want, but you shall have

the freedom to continue to sleep and have

your time when I am not there: closed in

my own space with a ready flame by my side

to be lit up whenever we meet again!



What do I do now?


A good question for me today

as I reassess moving forward,

whilst following my present reality

situation and maintenance.

The Universe tells me to still think

like a young man, to look forward

into the future, but always reminding

me of the limitations of Time.

This human life house of cards can

come tumbling down at any moment,

as it pleases and whenever it happens.

So what do I do now? Only have fun?

Don't have any commitments? Just wander

around aimlessly? I have purpose with

the Universe, it understands me... my

doubts about what I see, my humility

in front of what the Almighty expects

of me! So, what should I do now as this

year unfolds? I have traveled far from

where I was after my life's companion

was recalled to Eternal life. She cannot help

me anymore except with our memories

and all those left behind: my family! Again,

what do I do now whilst getting over the loss

and grief? Being on your own is liberating,

but every day the path forward demands

a new approach, a new direction. Now, today,

the future is up to you! What do I want now?

To be me! To live with liberty! The freedom

to decide what each day brings. If the day

needs flexibility, so be it! I have always been

happy to stop and respect all who are around

me, no matter how busy I have been. And some

in turn respond with:" I am busy now".

I am now looking at what I must do!

This response I have had thrown at me

many times! So now, I too am sometimes

busy. A leopard does not change its spots

and a shark only moves when it is hungry?

Knowing my own nature helps me. This is

what I must do. Enjoy each day as it unfolds,

do what I like and like what I do. The rest

is truly up to me! Whatever it may be!



Evita


We planned to see this Musical

at the Victorian Arts Centre, near

the Gallery. So we walked and

bought tickets. Very lucky to get

them at such short notice. This

young Argentinian woman remains

a symbol in history. Inspiring

the writing of the song: "Don't cry

for me Argentina". Her life began

in poverty and was ended by cancer

at thirty three, married into political

royalty! For in our Democracies once

elected you win and remain a part

of the story of your Nation. Like Kings

and Queens when people were only

subjects! Evita Peron traveled too

and met Leaders in Europe and the Pope.

This added to her allure, her image

and gratitude for having come out

of poverty. What a journey, like winning

the lotto in life where people struggle,

fight to live with little hope of overcoming

their penury! Eva Duarte de Peron remains

a symbol for Argentina. Our own Tina Arena

played the part beautifully. I often don't go

to such shows, but was moved by my curiosity.

This musical was great and so was my

company, for fortune in life often comes

unexpectedly! Just like with Tina Arena

who had to leave Melbourne after her

youthful performing days were over.

She found it a struggle here to continue

her career and be accepted as a true blue

Aussie! To then return for a second coming

to represent our new understanding

and redefining the new blue Aussie

of our Diversity! Such a great show!

Such a memory!



Thank you for your company


Thank you for your company

for a loss received by destiny

is also a part of our journey!

We could just fall apart and let all things be!

Or we gather our inner strength, spiritual force

and proceed with courage to another

phase of our own track. We are born

alone and all through life look for a soul mate.

Then we find one, we live together.

Then one day lose it all. So now what do we do?

We cry and weep. We feel sorry.

We ask ourselves: "why me?: Why

should I bear this loss? Is the Universe

against me? Then we realize that's

the nature of our existence. There is

everything in our path, the greatest

joy or grief to bear, the sun, rain, storms and hail.

in fact this good bad duality follows us on our mortal journey.

The other world we cannot see, but want

to believe. That's where we come from

and that's where we are due to return after our Time is done,

whether our candle is lit for long,

or was spent too soon or, sometimes, didn't even

make it to get on the journey of life.

Such joy for a life well spent,

such misery when tragedy strikes! But, all in all,

we need to get up and proceed ahead without

looking back... but I prefer to see it all as history.

So now I walk at my pace and found along

the way my way and there, there was you!

Ah what fortune! New born love!



As time goes by


We are back on track in our

normal routine. We are enjoying

these sessions of texting, talking,

video calling. There is so much

to say... yes, we have to find

new ways! Looking inwards is

not the answer although this is

unavoidably so! We do need

to open up and say what we

want to say about a lot of topics

and themes. To let our souls refresh

with new oxygen and views! Don't

be afraid or be embarrassed, all is ok.

I am protecting you even when you

think that I am not. So why would I ruin

this reality? Love these moments together,

be free and not too cautious with me.

Now let new light and sunshine accompany

all of our activities. Ok let's rest sometimes,

take a break, recharge but then we must

continue our journey even when we are

on different tracks and doing what we need

or want to do. For rest assured: I love you...

as I hope you do me too!"



Lunch and Dinner


How good is it to have lunch

and dinner together, you and me!

Let's throw in a visit to restaurants

or cafes and enjoy our company.

For we are made to be companions,

friends, travelling partners and also

to be there for activities. Let's walk

in the park, go to the beach, do some

shopping, play table tennis, snooker

or ping pong. Discovering this, our world,

that we know so well... and yet with

so much to see, so much more to admire

and appreciate in this our time on Earth!

Is Time our greatest illusion? For we are

here today, we live in the now, we shut

out the past, we don' really want to make

plans for tomorrow! How can this be?

You have challenged me to think along

with all that there is to see, but then

to let it go like royalty who comes into

what is organized, visits and go away!

Such visits politicians and heads

of organizations do to please those

around them. Some of us humans

treat this life as if we were tourists

who just enjoy what is there to see.

Yet take away only memories! These

memories too after a while fade in our own

personal history. Now I need to reconcile

my focus on the past and the future

by looking after the Now of my day to day.

Enjoy every moment in the right company

and location, change every situation, find

peace and love. Yet stay there in this spiritual

world, that is in the Ever Ever! Let the Universe

decide how the world should be!



Spiritual Challenge


Then someone comes along and, just like

me, challenges the way things should be.

For on this journey, I have begun to revisit

all my history. To then let it all go, let it all

fade away in favour of the pleasures of Now

and what is on offer to have and enjoy.

Admire what you see: butterflies in a park,

birds flying above, the new facilities, local flora

and fauna. This latter sometimes are a pest

in their own neighbourhood. Don't comment

on the negatives, just look at the positive!

Become aware of this new philosophy. Bring joy

to you, love what you decide for each new day,

remain flexible and let the weather, the climate

influence your daily needs, passions and activity.

Put yourself first, then friends and family. Let

the rest of the environment be there for your

pleasure, in a hedonist world, among the followers

of spirituality. These claim to bring on new energy,

renewed force into our being, reclaim faith

in the universe, so that we find pleasure and love.

Fly like Peter Pan in joyful optimism and fun!

Let it be so because now I have reached my Third

Age when the world's trickery is here for me to see!

Yet I must still continue to deal with it! But now it's

different for me! My life's baton I pass onto Thee!



Sunset


Slowly the sun descends towards

the line of the horizon above the sea.

Its rays shine bright at first. Slowly the sun

gives the last warmth and light to all

who enjoy this summer day. What a picture,

what a sight to admire with someone

you love, as you lay on the sand after a dip

in the cool waters and frolic with glee!

This is a sunset to remember because it was

a whole while back that I saw another

like this! Yet young and old, in fact people

of all ages, know full well the power

of this universal ritual on our Earth.

The sun sets and then rises in a new dawn

for another day! Are you ready

for tomorrow? Please don't ask

these questions, let's just stay here

to admire this miracle of the day.

Don't think... just feel the warmth

of our company! With a few words

of this wisdom, I fall into ecstacy.

Now rules the sun and the sea,

which agree to let go of worries,

for all that was or is going to be

This transient moment is here!

Don't question it. There are so many

more in store for every person

who lives... until it is time that our

individual candle is snuffed

as this sun comes down behind

that line drawn between the sky

and the sea! Our night will come,

our life's day will be gone

and there will be Dawn.

Who knows where we are reborn?

Oh such is life! Love this sunset!



Clear Way


I can see the light

at the end of this tunnel.

It's only a glimmer now

but as I travel through it,

this light will become brighter!

Such relief after a lifetime

of having to deal within a narrow

tunnel and keeping myself

there to reach the other side

of the mountain in between

two valleys. One valley that produces

and does not relent its production role,

the other valley is that of fun and games,

where people live without worrying

about tomorrow or reminiscing on the past.

For these latter inhabitants what counts

is Now... and with the best possible plans

for each day. Here financial concerns

are kept at bay. Here everything is the best

in the best of possible worlds. It's a living

illusion for anyone who lives there.

They are the residents of a paradise

free of obligations and secure in

the management of their affairs.

Will I get there? The tunnel is showing

the light. I am travelling towards it

as my being reacts with anxious

expectations! Looking ahead into

Earth's paradise! Living the life

in the Now!!! And only looking ahead

to the next day and the Ever Ever!



A beautiful Sunday


It began ad hoc. Will you come

this Sunday to spend time together?

Yes, of course, and my sister too.

Where shall we go? What shall

we do? Just come. Ok, we'll be

there by ten in the morning... and

we did, with time to spare. After our

smiling welcome and meeting who was

there, we had caffellatte, cake and fruit.

Then off to see the local sights. It was

pleasant to chat and admire

the neighbourhood from above the hill

to the sea. New developments abounded

and we drove through local streets

and countryside, ending up visiting

the Briars. What a historical visit!

To the homestead of an early colonial

settler family with connections to Napoleon

Bonaparte when he spent time at St. Helena.

Slowly as each generation unfolded, the early

gifts of a deposed Emperor made their way

to this cottage of Mount Martha in Mornington,

a jewel location by the sea outside of Melbourne,

our city! Then for some gnocchi lunch, made

with loving hands, ... and the rest. There is never

just one plate, you know. Conversation

with stories and remarks, all in good fun,

getting to know each other better and sharing

life's experiences. These enrich our beings.

We refine our own views with others' journeys

through life, forever moving forward

embracing young, adults and older!

Then to the beach under a blue sky

and sunshine blessing the bodies of all

on the sand. A dip in the sea as the waves

gently caress each swimmer, the salty water

cleansing our skins! To top it all up, there was

the glorious sunset that slowly took the Sun

into the night. It was time for home, for a late

light meal while Novak raced to the tennis Cup

by beating a not so in form Nadal, the favourite!

All in good spirit for this Australia Day Celebration

Week Sunday... and as the night recalled Cinderella

from the Dancing Hall, we arrived home. we too had

lost our shoe... a memory that we will chase again

whenever we can. Let the future be my princess

and return to me this beautiful shoe Sunday.

To bring again joy and happiness too.

Such is life in good company.


 

When together


How good is it just having dinner in two!

Just chatting, laughing and smiling, sharing

the blessings of food, prepared simply

and effectively. For, as we become older

and look forward into the future, we

realize that Time is precious! When we

don't seem to see a whole lot of years

ahead. Time is also a commodity. Its price

rises when supply becomes more of a rarity!

In fact that individual time gets mixed up

with eternity. So Now is Now. Every

opportunity missed is a missed eventuality.

Enjoy the company; raise the glass for another

cheer, another hoorah! We are still here,

we're like soldiers waiting to do battle.

The waiting can be heavy or it can be

the greatest joy because the new dawn

of battle is tomorrow... and tomorrow

we don't know we're still here! So be merry,

be good, share moments of tranquility at sunset,

dawn and throughout the day. Life is beautiful

when we are together! Let it be! Let's make

it happen as often as we can...


 

When on my own


Each one of us has to face the reality

of being 'on your own'. To remain true

to yourself can often lead to a negative

appraisal of 'one's own personality'.

Why so? Because we truly have to face

the fact that we individually can't know

everything. Even what we know is often

faulty, unless we keep on using and doing

the same things. We need to be in form!

Yet one person, the power of one, can do

a lot provided there is an agenda to follow.

This agenda allows us to lead others to assist

us in what we want to do. This is not always

easy; this can only be achieved when the right

people surround us and love and respect

what we do! This is true of friendship too!

We must think positively about the close

times we are together. To then go our own

individual way! The need for the other,

the bond created in friendship, begins to wane

when common ground is not found or continued.

On the other hand, when a balance is achieved,

the friendship is strengthened and can also

withstand the tyranny of distance or separation.

Looking forward to the next time together

becomes a necessity, the way forward to share

new moments of joy, times of true companionship.

This is so in the medium to long term of a relationship.

For life, an individual life, has particular twists and turns.

These latter come about naturally and cannot be avoided.

It doesn't matter who you are and what you do, the need

for love and affection remains true for you and me and all

of us too. 'Anche una regina ha bisogno di una buona vicina'.

This saying is perhaps the basis for lasting confidence

in our ability to survive and flourish as individuals.



Your smile and mine too


We finally made it to the dancing floor with music

of earlier times. When young, we entwined to our

songs and to the melodies of Italy. We share a great

history in this city that we know so well and love.

Melbourne is for us 'our paese', though we love

the original one too. Both of us with similar interests,

skills and shared activities. There, we are switching

languages, appreciate diversities, loving all whom

we meet around a table in our clubs or anywhere.

We are the adults and children of the Southern Cross,

the ones who smile and are open to the world.

Our Universe loves us for the way we embrace

whoever we meet, anywhere, anytime. Your smile,

our smile irradiate from within: it's genuine and true.

Nothing to fear, my dear. We are one amongst

the many in harmony. With so much in common,

it seems all so natural whether holding hands

on the sand at the beach or admiring flowers in our

outdoors. We blend, we mesh, we give each other

positive energy. Our blessings are many in our

sunset love. Let's not forget that the sun

and the moon protect what we do. True friendship

is after all based on love, on care for each other,

on respect of what we want to do, on freedom

and whom we have become. Our past we cannot deny,

we protect our memories, still love who is no more

but once walked together with you and me. Life's sacred

weapon is love. When you feel it, it swells within. Without

knowing, we reach the highs, the best notes of these songs

as we dance on in life to the tunes of our favorite bands,

the splashing sounds of water and spas, our activities.

Whilst the sun sets on our horizon, we hope that

there is still plenty of daylight before our night.



Lull in our sails


It was bound to happen! I detected a lull

in our sails... the winds of opportunity

have subsided. Now we must row our boat

and travel to our ports. Our destinations

and activities are not clear as we take life

one day at a time. This sense of adventure,

this status quo work with each other and offer

choppy waters on which to sail. It's always fun,

of course, like when we were younger and comfort

could not find a couch to lay on.

Inside we feel unsure whether we can do all this

and let our trodden path become neglected.

Change is in the air! We know how to deal with it,

but change is change. Something new replaces

something old. Then we feel nostalgia, our previous

life in toll. The price we must pay for our new found

love A friendship requires time set aside. In a busy

schedule, this time is not there naturally. We must

fill the gaps. Does this friendship become just another

chore? It's up to us to keep the flame burning bright.

Even when our surroundings are not ideal, when

we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations.

This is the source of where future oblivion can grow!

Do we know what is truly good for us? All I know,

on my part, is that what I offer you is true. Does this

ring a bell for you? Anche tu cominci a suonare

le tue campane! E' tempo di festa! Sunset Love is here

and it cannot wait. Time to travel in a mutual carriage

as often as can be! The rest will be what will be!



What a weekend !


Unexpected as it was, a summer weekend

at the beach is a bonus. The hot summer day's

invitation to catch the sun, the beach and the sea

becomes a very special time for togetherness,

laughter and fun! A spectacular time whilst enjoying

the balmy weather on the sand, as the sun falls

slowly behind the line of the horizon where sky

meets sea. We watch sunset with gratitude

and witness one of nature's magic moments!

In our busy lives, we don't often partake

in the joy of living by the sea! Lucky are those

who can. Lucky are also those who can accept such

an invitation, if they live in the city! So what else can

we do on such a day? There is the shopping, preparing

meals and having these together. Even tasting

the blackberries that we picked by the roadside!

Loving these types of activities and plenty more

in store, I see! What joy in this experience! True

friendship developing day by day. Also maintaining

this connection, this new time in which Sunset

Love is taking shape since we are sharing so much

together in such a short time! Then back to normal,

to my chosen life to promote languages, peace

and harmony through my poetry, radio and TV.

The right balance I must search, as you do too.

Our life in this third age period is very demanding

in spite of the freedom that we have at hand.

Our bodies need exercise, good food, conversation.

Trying to live a balanced life with our family,

neighbors, friends and the world at large.

Today's connections in our global village is a real

challenge, as we are all together online

and in real life. So a weekend together is what

we needed and had! Thank you for the invitation.



You didn't text me "buona notte, amore"


Habits and expectations are the gains we make

when friendship grows! So used to connecting

with you, expecting to see you soon. Unsure

whether you would be there for me. But after

spending time together and lately enjoying

everything that we do, be it dancing or going

to watch a movie, a lunch at Blu, watching

and helping you make panzerotti and crispelle,

tasting these hot, walking in a neighboring big park,

appreciating the greenery, stopping under hundred

year old trees, wanting to go here and there.

So much in such a short time, like a storm or in

the rain when we think they are not going to stop.

Then sunshine arrives. We are ready for a break.

We go our own way, We want our own company

and do what we want to do, but savouring already

the next time together. Now it's our time, it's back

to our old routine. Our family and friends have

noticed our absence, our not being as assiduous

as usual with calls and visits. We can't create more time,

we have to manage what we have of this invaluable

commodity! Tonight I noticed after our short weekend

together that texting and connecting seemed superfluous!

In our heart we know that we are there for each other.

We need to verbalize. No need for FOMO. Our friendship

is now strong. A bond made to last as we walk

in the sunset of our years. As we watch that horizon

between sky and sea, together as companions. How

fortunate we are to have grown in confidence and trust.

Insecurities set aside. We know that we must remain

in this state of togetherness, whilst enjoying our own

freedom. This is what life should perhaps be. A Sunset Love

between you and me! Just thinking of you in the middle

of my night since you didn't text me 'buona notte, amore'.



Tomorrow is another day.


A few days ago it was just you and me in hot

weather by the sea. Now back to normality

and do what we must do. You are looking after

family and visitors from overseas. For me it's

schools, libraries, languages, students, teachers

and customers who come to see me. But also

keeping myself busy in the warehouse, doing

my radio and TV work, seeing my musical

and singing friends. What a set of activity!

Loving all this and yet having to also keep

abreast of family, relatives and friends. Let's

not forget the walk, exercise, seeing health

professionals and my writing and typing too.

What about the orders, business, requests

and trade connections? All in all behaving

and living as if the Universe is giving me time

to keep it altogether for as long as it can be!

So that we can repeat those beautiful together

times by the sea and anywhere else that we

choose to be! Loving the texting, video calling

and making plans for the next dance, or movie

or to be with friends. Enough of this now! Shall

we go to dance this coming Thursday? Who

knows? That's tomorrow. Tomorrow, you see,

is another day. Oh yes, but tomorrow I am

picking up my dancing shoes. Will I ? Will they

be ready? Can or will you make it? These plans

are only plans. The answers are in our Book of Life!

And this latter we cannot read today! Ah the past...

that's another story. The Past is ours to keep.

Whichever way you look at it, today is now

and Now we must live and love! Let's do it, amore!

Then realizing that all this house of cards, can

come tumbling down when someone switches off

my light, like the sun at night! It's all really a part of

our humanity: to be here today and gone tomorrow.

Shall we fall in a heap? Or play by the rules of

the Universe where all is transient and forever

in movement. All things come and go. They also

fall apart and renew. What can we do? The answer

is simple, as my friend Silvana pointed out. Live in

the Now. Don't think of Tomorrow. All Life is in

the present, today, and every day is today!

So enjoy the moment, keeping the future at bay

and the past in tow. My answer instead is this,

trilogy of Present, Future and Past as a guide.

Be creative every day. Love the moment.

Share what we can and keep it altogether

for me, you, society and the world too!



Now


On my own and in the Now without your company

seems like another world, another time! Your

absence is present, painfully. Yet I know that you're

OK with friends and family. Working at my chosen

activity, with the wind blowing slowly and my boat

rowing steadily. It all seems so peacefully as the hot

wind blows and your text arrives unexpectedly!

You are Bar hopping, having a great time with your

visitors. C'est la vie. Each one of us has a life's journey

on which we travel happily, if in good company.

But what do I do now that I miss you? Then realize that

a break, a little distance, time to ourselves are all good

indicators of our freedom. And liberty, our freedom,

makes us grow in self confidence. In this I still have

some road to travel. You have been the instrument

of change and reflection on what life is truly all about.

Your spirituality has impacted on your being and it

shines bright for me! Let's say that this interlude

between our meetings are healthy. Let them be

a positive influence on our strong friendship. Going

forward seems now easy, even when you are away

from me! A certain peace invades within to savour life

as it should be. So even Now that I am on my own, I look

outside towards the sky and know that out there, there is

someone special, someone dear, someone to whom

I can say: 'buona notte, amore mio."



Continua l'ispirazione


Ti ho detto quando ti ho incontrata che tu eri

la mia nuova ispirazione. Ed in poco tempo lo sei

diventata veramente. Forse perche' ormai siamo

nel paradiso della terza eta'. E si', perche' noi abbiamo

vissuto davvero ed abbiamo avuto una vita armoniosa

in un Paese che e' stato un grande aiuto per la nostra

crescita umana, per la nuova lingua che abbiamo imparato

ed usata. Noi siamo un prodotto di questa societa'

multiculturale, dove tutti o quasi tutti provengono

da altri Paesi. Ed anche il popolo indigeno di questa Nazione

Continente e' ormai al volo e ci fanno sentire realmente

umani. Perche' finalmente tutti sappiamo che viviamo

sotto la Stella del Sud. Qui, nella Terra del Dreamtime,

i nostri sogni si realizzano se veramente lo vogliamo.

Qui ci troviamo a casa nostra perche' qui e' dove abbiamo

passato una vita con la scuola, il lavoro, la gioventu',

la famiglia e gli amici in piste da ballo, a picnic o facendo

sport! Adesso che ci siamo ritrovati e' come se fossimo

tornati un'altra volta giovani. L'eta' non conta perche' a noi

importa l'amicizia, la compagnia, un vero rapporto fatto

di tante attivita' ed uscite, di solide conversazioni, di amor

e rispetto reciproco. Per questo l'ispirazione continua e chissa'

dove arrivera'! Il nostro Sunset Love sta emergendo dal fondo

dell'animo, come una ghianda che poi si fa quercia! E tutto

intorno a noi e' diventato adulto perche' lo siamo davvero.

Ma portiamo la gioventu' nel cuore come un fiore all'occhiello.

Pur sapendo che i nostri ricordi sono ormai proprio quelli

del nostro passato e nessuno li potra' cancellare. Pero' del tempo

che rimane, noi lo sappiamo, se lo vogliamo farne un nuovo capitolo

come se cominciassimo di nuovo un altro viaggio della vita.

E si', perche' adesso siamo gia' su questo treno, insieme.



Yesterday I did not write you a poem


When other commitments take over, our togetherness

falls apart! No texting, no video calling, just distance and each

on our own, with our own individual time dedicated to other

day to day things! Whether family, visitors or tourists, plain work

or hobbies diversions. Our beloved time dedicated to each other

seems to have vanished in this air or floating above the clouds.

What can we do to overcome such situations? Well, nothing really.

We are both in love with freedom and to choose or do what we want.

A balance of opposing forces needs to be in place, otherwise our rails

will go in different directions for too long a time, in spite of ourselves.

But, you know, our hearts are now in tune. We feel the pain of being

apart for too long, We need to be in each other's company. In this

we find joy, happiness and love. Just looking at your smile or see

the brightness of your eyes when you look at me. I hope it is the same

for you when you do the same and try to read me, when you look

at me with interest and curiosity. Soon it will be Saint Valentine's Day.

A time for lovers the world over. Our Sunset Love is in full bloom and it is

filled with red roses , even if we don't pick any from the bushes! For we love

nature and the fresh air, the environment as it should be, the trees, flowers

and grass everywhere we walk and listen to birds chirping. Sometimes we see

lizards and butterflies, small Australian fauna rustling amongst the leaves

or cocooned in the trunks of centennial trees. But today I did not write you

a poem. I hope that this explanation will do! Loving you.



A missed meeting


What a disappointment to have missed our meeting

on such a splendid day! It was a real challenge coming

to you for the traffic was horrendous, the roads were

closed in certain parts and parking far away did not help.

But to top it all up, our phones ran out of battery! So no

communication possible. Only last minute directions. I did

get there but then did not stop and wait. You were there

where you said you would be! But I did not see you under

that tree. So I walked to the Arts Centre and went to charge

my phone. I spoke to you again and this phone call was too brief.

No battery again... you cut off... I thought you said ;'I am going

home! And your phone went dead. I thought she must be

very tired waiting so long...Instead you only said; ' I am not

moving from here." That was the agreed to place for our

meeting! I walked to my car and looked at the Myer Music

Bowl from afar... but decided to keep going straight to my car.

Little did I know that you were waiting for me!!! How do I take

such a missed opportunity to meet you? You did ring me

and said: "My mobile phone is dead! The battery is flat. It doesn't

get charged as usual from my energy point in the car! I won't be

able to ring you. I am calling you from my friend's place. I won't be

able to contact you for two or three days!" What is happening?

Why all this negativity all of a sudden? Is this a challenge from Above

or the vibes of people near us? Our Sunset Love is strong. You are there

for me and I am here for you. Tomorrow is another day. Missing you!



Our individuality and us


We both love our free, recluse time. Doing our own

things with joy. We have become accustomed to our

own company, as it should be. This friendship has

arrived and now we both get the urge to talk and chat.

It's a pleasant way to break the silence, to connect

and listen to our heartbeats. What are they telling us?

We hear the sounds of life pulsating each moment

as if it is forever. Then we think, actually we know,

that each moment is precious and can be the very

last breath we take! With this in the back of our mind

and the bottom of our heart, trust in the future is nullified.

We live in the Now because this we can trust, this we know.

Experiencing small portions of time as planned

in the moment for a day, even a few days at a time,

but no more than this. Occasionally we think of the longer

term and we do make some plans for our travels

and the bigger family or friends festive, celebratory dates.

These are the only sign posts for our future as time

knocks on our door each day and encourages us to live,

to keep these hours light and breezy! With our bodies

in direct line of the winds from the sea. Will 'our time'

be protected by the whims of our individuality? Or will it

blow strong or calm according to what we have to do?

The answers are confusing sometimes and we detect

a certain unease. It's because we haven't texted or video

called enough! Missing our meeting has thrown a spanner

in our works. But we shall overcome this and be glad

for the experience! A small door was closed and a bigger

one opens in front of our very eyes. It's up to us to ensure

that we stay focused on each other. Giving ourselves more

time together to share so much more that life offers every

day as we move forward. Moreover together watch those

sunsets on the beach after a dip in the sea. Swimming happily

while the waves gather momentum for their contact

with sand on our patch of seashore. Now let me look

at the sun in your eyes. What a sight!



I was wondering...


How about a game of cards or just going

on a picnic? St. Valentine's Day deserves

a special treat. Our planned dancing evening

should give us real joy on the dancing floor.

It's good to dream and make plans, but it is

even better when we don't... to let things just

happen as we move along. Less pressure

and more excitement in our day-to-day.

We're now in tune and even if we miss

a time together... let's hope not! For our

togetherness needs a clear way and a joyful

time! Whether on the banks of a river, under

a willow tree, sitting on a park bench with a picnic

basket, conversing happily about sweet nothings.

Keeping it all 'light and breezy' is truly the way

to happiness. This I have learnt from you and,

as you know, I am a good student too! Now don't

be late with your text, for I am waiting and wondering

what shall we do next! Daily life continues as it should,

but these interludes with you are the special treat,

the icing on the cake, the chocolate bacio in which

we find that message of love! So it is St Valentine

Day tomorrow... looking forward to un abbraccio,



St. Valentine Day 2019


Today we celebrate Lovers Day the world over.

It's the current feeling of joy towards someone

we want to be with and hold tight. But a mixed set

of emotions are playing in my heart, as I remember

my life's long partner. So many Valentine cards, gifts

and poems, so much true care for her.. my love,

my wife who is no more, except in my heart, as I

move on. It is now a memory for me as it is for you

thinking of him, your love, your husband, too!

Do we celebrate this St. Valentine? Of course,

we do! For we are still here. The sun rises and falls

each day, all around the world keeps going as if there

is no tomorrow! Life is still frantic, life wants us to live.

So Happy St. Valentine, my love, my new love gifted

from Above for our Sunset Years! But we cannot think

of years, not even tomorrow! Because we know

and appreciate just how transient life can be. Today

is Now. The time we have. So let's celebrate this day

together, let's meet and dance! We leave our memories

of our past love and move forward living a new chapter

of life. Loving you redeems our Love within and resurrects

our hopes for new companionship. Let's be cheerful and raise

our glasses to this St. Valentine Day. Let's celebrate and love

each moment together. Oh my Saint Valentine Silvana!



Freedom


A precious gift to have and to hold. Knowing the balance

and keeping it inside to safeguard the time we give ourselves

and others! A friendship can sometimes be too close for comfort

and we realize that we need time to breathe on our own!

Doing what we want, keeping company at bay, but not for

too long! That's the real secret of long lasting friendship...

and companionship. So maybe it's time to call in an interval

and check the need to see each other. Who knows? This tactic

can work in mysterious ways... like a holiday overseas where

real distance determines the path we individually take. The times

we met gave inspiration a go. But now, maybe, a new chapter

begins as the one we have had has seen the sun set into the night!

Who knows how the New Dawn will emerge and whether the day

will still favor a close togetherness. After all, freedom is in our veins

and we must have it to keep truly alive. Love does not die but it needs

oxygen to stay with us inside. So our time, this time, has been a good

friend, showing the way forward and do what we must do in the Now

for each day! Loving you is holding you close at heart without

expectations and with gratitude for each activity enjoyed together.

My poetry will take a break whilst the sun sleeps peacefully at night!

A new day with sunrise can emerge as inspiration renews. Such is

the cycle of our living and our love in togetherness and freedom!



Butterfly


Watch a butterfly, lightly going from flower to flower,

bush to bush, gliding through the air. Just like you want

to do with your life in the Now. Being free is essential

for this existential treat that is your way of living. I like

butterflies in their natural environment and that's where

they should be allowed to stay. Don't interfere, don't go

there with your net. You will only kill the beauty that you see.

Learn to stay away and maybe that special butterfly may just

sometimes come to visit you! Wait and live your normal

every day as free as you choose. But, maybe, I too want

to be like that butterfly that I see. It's the symbol of a happy,

carefree, natural being. We all need this philosophy. We all

must stand up for our own individual desires in liberty!

Sometimes we may touch base by visiting each other's

air space. For now we realize that this trajectory can

only be shared if we are both ready to let it be. A butterfly,

all butterflies are a wonder to see in their coloured dresses

as they fly where they want. Please respect their choices

and leave them in their habitat. That's where they should be!

Sunset Love Book 3

 How good is it !


How good is it when friendship is settled

and we can now give each other the freedom

that we need. Yet remaining in tune with each

other and allowing activities to develop naturally

day by day, if time allows! To think that all this was

at the end of our tunnel when we did not know

whether we would be compatible friends and reliable

companions. But time has proven us right on so many

levels, relishing in our outings and sharing of ideas.

We have left out very little that we needed to tell

each other before a true amicability could set in. Now

we can relax in the knowledge that we can continue

to enjoy our developed understanding of our needs

and wants for social, cultural and interpersonal choices.

We both love our languages and the history of the years

that we have lived up to date. We love family, friends

and people in general... although we don't suffer fools

that easily! (I do suffer them more easily than you!)

We enjoy good company, the banter of good times,

watching a good movie. So much more that we have

shared over these last summer months. It has been

a good time to pick up again after so many years

in which we lived separate lives. Now that the sun

is setting over the horizon, we cherish each day

in the other's personality. What more can we want?

And wonder how we can repeat this miracle

for as long as we can. Who knows? Our philosophy

is born out of the Spirit, our human indomitable

spirit that drives us to higher levels of energy.

It's good to be alive and in good company!

Lucky you and me for having found a mutual liking.

There the Sun agrees as it sends out its warm rays,

across the sea, to our space on the sand by the shore!

All round us is the quiet, pleasant, radiant atmosphere

on Safety Beach. They are all happy. Why not even us?

After all it is our Sunset Love and it's true!



Dancing with you


I have just come back to dancing after a number of years

of not doing so. How lucky I am now that you are my dancing

partner and a generous one at that! For you like to dance

with other good dancers and so do I. A perfect match, it seems!

Your energy, vitality and sense of fun is infectious. You are spoiling

me with this time on the dance floor. I am even losing some weight

along the way whilst having a lot of fun. The company you keep,

the places we visit are in tune with our experience dancing to 'our'

music! So what is 'our music'? It's strange to say it. It is the music

of our youthful years, the songs we remember, the tunes we like...

and we are lucky to have in our city the venues that are suitable

for so many Third Age people, who still think and behave young.

What is time after all? Are we not still young in terms of Eternity?

Let's not prejudice our golden years by focusing on age. Rather let's

look at ourselves and continue to be whom we have always been!

We are interested in living and taking each day as it comes, helping it

along with good humour and laughter. Yes, keeping things 'light and

breezy' suits us well. We wake up each day and welcome the sun.

The same sun that went to sleep last night after our Sunset Love

time on the sand, as we admired the horizon between sky and sea!

Such is happiness when love and mutual care is welcomed in our lair.

All we need to remember is that each day is special and we must

protect our togetherness! The bond that binds and lasts whilst

rejoicing in our freedom and carefree attitude. That's it for now!



Companion, love, friend


I am trying to work out the order of these three: companion,

love, friend for this Sunset Book 3. Companion for giving each

other quality time in pleasant and mutually satisfying activities.

Going to a movie, a few hours at the beach to watch the sunset,

a picnic or dinner for two, going out to a symphony orchestra

performance at the Myer Music Bowl, an outing on the Mornington

Peninsula, then picking blueberries off the road. So many other

activities already experienced and more to come. Who knows?

Love for looking after each other, thinking healthy thoughts

with care and optimism, having joy in the presence of each other

and generally wanting the best for the other. Friend is special

because a friend in need is a friend indeed! A friend you can trust

and hold dear, in spite of any distance or being near! These three

wise kings of our emotional well being are the ones we want

to travel together, as time goes by. For time is a precious

commodity not to be wasted in unnecessary banter

or conversations that lead nowhere. In these cases silence

is perhaps the mother's milk that every baby needs.

We know that such milk is not always available naturally

or by design.Then is this order right? For Sunset Love I think

it is. Circumstance and reality play their part in our togetherness.

We protect our freedom by doing this. That's the price we must

pay to retain liberty. Such is the way it has to be... and it is!



Missing you...


It's going to be hard not seeing you frequently

after such beautiful times together. Just you and me

on those free days when we both can share so much

joy and good banter. It's o.k. to have different views

and not to agree on everything. Also appreciated are

those caring health comments, your more ingrained

conscious awareness of keeping a good attitude

and practice! However it's true that having personal

freedom is, at this stage in life, essential. Again you

are more in tune with handling freedom in a very

admirable way. I have a lot to learn in this respect,

but, as a friend, I value freedom just as much.

Having met you has changed my usual daily lifestyle.

Now I want to go out more and enjoy the fresh air,

the sunshine, the wind and even those days when

the weather is less clement. Not to mention those

social outings to Italian clubs where we can dance

and be with other friends and acquaintances. Now

at my desk writing these lines in between my usual

commitments with books, culture, education

and entertainment, I am more aware that I too could

pursue other interests. However I value what I do

and feel happy in doing so! Somebody told me once,

'Tom, don't you know? Life is a balancing act!" So true:

in this case too! Without taking away the fact that right

now I am missing your company... can't help myself!



Am I imposing on you?


Sometimes I get the feeling that I am imposing

on you. I didn't have this feeling before... only

occasionally in the last couple of months. What

is going on? Is it me or am I reading your feelings

correctly? I know that friendship can sometimes be

a little heavy, that we individually want space to do

the things that we need or want to do. Yet not wanting

to distance the other at the same time. It's a hard

balance to achieve! Maybe we can be more clear

regarding the times when we can be together. Is this

too difficult? On the surface it seems so because the day

to day is at times unpredictable. It's the same with texts

or video calls. Are these too frequent? Do they bother you?

Are you happy for me to text you as I have done, almost

everyday? What is our future as friends if we don't stay

in touch? Maybe our true friend is liberty. That sense

of freedom that we have on our own, when we don't have

to think of the other, when we follow our daily routines,

look after our health and have fun. Also to have those

precious quiet times reading or just relaxing. And love?

Where is love in this? Where does 'love' go when we want

to be left alone? So does love go on holidays too? Will it

become a friend without expecting much in return? And time?

Will it be wasted? Will those opportunities be lost or will they

float about like a butterfly? It's all so confusing, really! Maybe

it's best just to be less introspective and let each day rule itself.

Don't write anything. Don't take those photos and footage

of what we do. Just enjoy each day when and if it happens!

And forget: is this what we want?.



Let's meet this time...


When everything is right between us, I feel it's going

to be a good day. For I need clarity and to look forward

to a day together when we share our activities. Right now

I am thinking of you and letting my thoughts wander

in different places where we could be. Planning the day

is not too hard when you need some quiet peace

in my company. That's been the trade mark of our love:

to have enjoyed each other's presence. Why is it that

I am still in doubt? Perhaps it's just me wanting more

of your time together. I wonder whether you feel the same...

perhaps you do but want me to keep guessing as to what

you're going to do... So let's be together this time: have our

own special day of fun. We can then decide to repeat

this experience during our new Autumn Season when

the grape vines are ripe! So many other trees will reach

their generous time for people to pick their fruit. Such

happiness in natural environments in the Mornington

Peninsula where life is lived in harmony by the sea.

Occasionally Melbourne's attractions are just as inviting.

This balance of living in a variety of places is truly the road

to good vibes, joy and happiness. Let's not spoil this adventure

by walking at a different pace. Some give and take becomes

necessary if we are going to make it together in true mateship.

Setting aside all doubts and going forward with 'light and breezy'

needs its own surety. We are there now. So let's make the most of it.

Time will determine the rest... whilst we enjoy this special day

and look forward to many more...



Oh well !


Oh well, it is what it is! Time to move on and rediscover

myself! This is another gift from Sunset Love: a gift I will

cherish with open arms. Moving on and doing other activities

on my own or in 'other' company! After all, we all need many

friends, companions and mates to move forward and be

ourselves! You are doing that beautifully as the sun rises

each day and bids us all 'Good Morning'! It's a new day!

One for us to do what we wish to do, as we please. I will join

this 'we' team in the days, weeks and months ahead. Will I end

up happy and with joy in my heart without being with you, so

frequently as in the past few months? Who knows? Time will tell.

In the meantime, the Brunswick Pool, Princes Park and neighbouring

clubs are waiting for me again. It's so long since I have enjoyed

my own beloved activities. It's now time to pick up where I left off!

Just doing those simple things and living in the now without expecting

those frequent texts and video calls. They will come occasionally

and I will be very happy. But a little distance, some detachment

will replace "il mio attaccamento"! A good thing for both of us, as you

have made me understand. I'll trial this new way and see whether

I will calm my loving spirits. Let the dolphin enjoy its own ways.

Let the butterfly roam about in her own space. We are all confined

to our own desires. So this is a new road that I must travel as each day

unfolds with dawn in the sky. May this road lead to good places

and people who will smile for a while as I rejoice in my freedom!



Honesty is the best policy


Working things out requires sincerity with a touch

of honesty and respect. For it is only in this way

that true friendship can flourish and grow strong.

It's important to clarify the order of activities and chosen

mutual picks to remain on the same page. These are

the bits on the list that have priority over the others.

Some things can wait, others not ! So talking together

to reach unity of purpose will give us our individual

and collective freedoms without compromising

the mateship developed over months of Sunset Love.

It is true that we feel love and liking for each other.

That we want the best outcome in all aspects of our life's

journey to the end. It's so true that we have met on this new

railroad train. We have found good empathy for each other

and have enjoyed our time in this wagon. It's now time for me

to rediscover what is in the other wagons, for you have already

travelled on these on your own more frequently than me

and for a much longer period of time. I know that I too can

do this with hope, confidence and will power. But I want to do

this not at the expense of our Sunset Love! This must remain

close at heart and this needs its own time and space. Let's hope

that the future holds us in its good care and as we have agreed

to before, let's keep things 'light and breezy!'. This I promise

I will do as I learn to roam in my own individual activities

and choices. I know that is what you want too!



Cuore in fuoco


Lo sai tu che mi manchi quando accendo il fuoco

nel mio cuore. Forse e' vero che mi tieni lontano

per far crescere quella voglia d'amore. Pero' non

mi dire di stare qua solo senza di te. So di averti

vicino e ti tocco nel vuoto come in un sogno. Passo

la giornata pensando ai nostri balli ed alle tante uscite

insieme. Non mi bastano perche' tu sei per me

la mia vera bella bella. Amami di piu' di quanto faccio io

per te... forse chiedo troppo. E' la prova del mio grande

amore che e' arrivato al tramonto quando il sole sta

scendendo e non sappiamo quando cadra' la sua tela

per noi due. Adesso amiamoci ogni momento e lascia

che i nostri cuori riscaldino questi giorni d'autunno.

Prepariamo le castagne ed un boccal di vino buono.

Brindiamo al nostro grande amore, allietiamo ogni giornata

insieme con gioia nei pensieri e felicita'. Sei tu che mi fai

rivivere la gioventu'. Sei tu che mi accompagni se lo vuoi.

Sei tu che fai entrare nel mio spirito il tuo sorriso e quei tuoi

occhi che scintillano quando mi guardi. Forse pensi a quel

che penso e non ti sbagli. Io penso a te!



Feeling Blessed


How good is it when things go smoothly. We did meet

to go to the Moomba Parade. The three of us arrived

on different transport: train, bus and tram. We met

at the piazza of the National Gallery of Victoria where

people gather in between two ponds of water features

and in front of the big cascading water on the big glass

panel at the entrance. It's a beautiful area this one.

Melbourne's pride and joy where residents, visitors

and tourists flock. Today we did too! And the Parade

in the inside of the Queen, King and Domain gardens

did not disappoint! It was absolutely a treat to see

this happy crowd and even happier groups of Parade

participants. Whether they were young or old, born in

Melbourne or from elsewhere. It was as if the whole world

was represented with its multi coloured human kind.

The costumes were just so colourful, the music relentless

from one genre to another, according to the groups

that made up the parade. Only a few floats this year,

but then the number of Dance Studios students and dance

enthusiasts provided the magical atmosphere that the crowd

was waiting for. The people flanked the road as security

personnel ensured that all went smoothly. We loved being

there amongst so much diversity and friendly comraderie.

One big happy mass of people who came together and had fun.

That's Moomba for you in this Grand Old City with a young

and green heart. Our Melbourne: a most liveable City!



Looking forward to seeing you...


Do you feel like me when we decide to see each other

again? It's like you have been away for so long, even if

I just saw you yesterday or a few days before. How are

we going to keep when time will come without seeing

each other for a while? Maybe it's better not to think

about it. Just love these opportunities when we can.

Sunset Love is good for us even if the sky is grey

and bleak. We know that the night is about to descend

and our time at the end of each day is special. Ask me

why? Because then I think of you. Do you do the same?

Approaching the night with delight and preferably with

a glass in hand in the warmth of our bed... to be with you

then is only a dream, before closing our eyes and waiting

for the new dawn! What a night! Sleeping in company

from far away. Thinking of you from where I am makes life

a lot more bearable. You are my new sunshine, my dawn!

So how are we going to manage another day? Will you be

there at the appointed spot? Will I feel anxious waiting

for you to come, give me a hug and kiss? What shall we do?

Maybe just being with you is enough! Maybe you feel as I do

or do we go on another of our activities? What does it matter

anyway! Seeing you will be more than enough for another

day! You are here! Let's go!



Love


Finding a person to love is like finding a needle

in a haystack. Generally we find love in our younger

days when we fall for each other and cannot live

without the other... or rather, we make a commitment

to 'love', to remain together, to be one. Then it so happens

that our 'love' wanes perhaps, but we move along with it

because we develop each other into unity, with family

and friends.We share our life, we make progress. Not

always. For some that 'love' gets lost and each person

finds that they made a mistake... so separation, divorce,

living again on one's own turf is the new reality. Others

do this later in life, except when death arrives and knocks

on our partner's door! Here is a new reality. One that arrives

naturally with warnings or no warnings at all. So we are left

on our own and still needing 'love' in our life... and, if we are

lucky, we find 'love' again! This time 'love' is no longer

a stranger. 'Love' becomes a friend, a companion and it follows

us daily in our journey. Going to activities and outings together

forges strong bonds of friendship. Here 'love' is more mature, real!

For even if we live apart, we are together in spirit. We want our

sunset years to be happy ones, full of adventure and fun.

Laughter in our company, sharing ideas, wanting to understand

the other, but fully knowing our individuality. For even if we love

each other, this does not mean being truly one all the time!

We live our own life and make allowances for each other's

commitments and likes. Loving you is no problem at all when we

understand that 'love' is mutual and it is shared like a box

of chocolates and a glass of brandy or cognac, watching

a favourite movie or just remaining silent on a Sunset

evening at the beach. Love, joy and happiness is us now!



What's happening?


My inspiration has slowed down for only a little while.

It's back stronger than before, but wanting more

of your company! Maybe you are not feeling well,

your energy is under more control, waiting for

a clearance before you begin again your frenetic

pace with family, friends and me! We are more

comfortable now in our knowledge of each other

and what we can and want to do. I was thinking...

how about a movie? Or just a walk in a beautiful

park? What about another dancing night? Or back

in a swimming pool and spa... and sauna? I don't

even mind a new restaurant night, but here we have

a challenge. A weight challenge: trying to outdo each

other losing some weight for health sake and strength!

Our day is fully mature, the sun is high near the horizon.

The sea beckons and that beach walk is near. Shall

we try our outings a little further out? To test whether

we continue to truly enjoy each other's company.

Precursor outings closer to our homes before

we venture out further afield or overseas. Let's hope

that Our Universe protects and gives us its generous

hand so that we realize our current dreams

of togetherness and love in friendship. Let's drink

to this, let's smile at each other. Give me a twinkling

of your bright eyes, give me cheeky pleasantries

and challenging my views. You know that I love

this because in this way we keep our individuality

and our natural personality. So what are you doing

now or in the next few days? Don't stay away from me.

Let's see what happens next. Maybe this new Sunset

will provide another lot of joyful inspiration for you

and me, and together we will be three!



As time goes by...


As time goes by, familiarity steps in and begins

to gnaw at our initial joy and happiness of getting

to know each other and having all those firsts...

a walk on the beach, a swim in the sea, sitting

on the sand and admiring sunset together, taking

these beautiful pics and reflecting on our first meeting.

How come we have hit it off so soon, without much

waiting and just doing. So naturally, as if we had known

each other for a very long time. Yes, we knew each

other but only fleetingly on the dance floor and a picnic.

But how good has it been to have found each other

and companionship. Friendship is also developing

as love and appreciation of who we are takes shape

and matures with each passing day. Yet we live our

lives individually and pursue our own interests and likes.

We are also committed to our families and enjoy those

periods apart when each continues our own tasks

and obligations. Yes there are also our hobbies

and personal sport choices. Not forgetting our quiet

times and as the months ahead will unfold it'll be so

much easier to say "ciao, I'll see you in a couple

of weeks!" As if we have so much time in our hands

that we can squander easily. We must remain alert

and willing to keep this togetherness intact. How we

are going to do this, I don't really know. Just thinking

of you is not enough... but as time goes by even this

can help our friendship to grow. For we have established

a strong bond of love and mutual respect. We also

understand that we must do what we individually have

to do. However we do know that when we get the chance

to spend a few hours together... this is special. A very

enjoyable time is assured unless our phones cut off,

we miss the appointed place for a meeting and all other

possible eventualities! But we know that even these

negatives cannot stop our desire to be with each other.

To enjoy our smiles, chats and banter as we sip on

a glass of something or enjoy our meals together

at a picnic or indoors! Love it!



Familiarity


They say that familiarity breeds contempt.

A saying that needs to be appreciated since we

all as individuals become familiar in our family,

with lovers and friends, including companions

and in our places of work and play. At first we meet

someone: everything about that someone is new.

The phase of discovery is interesting and we slowly

appreciate the other person's virtues and faults.

The same occurs with the other person who will

discover our strengths, talents, weaknesses and faults.

Love is possible and liking too, but then as time goes

by the predictable responses by the other can become

irritating and at times unpleasant. Disagreements

naturally arise and resistance can become the norm.

This is the phase when familiarity takes hold. The more

we see or talk to the other... the worse traits emerge.

A process of 'not liking' the other's personality, views,

talents and choices! We then try to keep a bit

of distance from the other, not fully wanting to cut

a developed relantionship. Real love and care have

work to do. These two need to lead each person

in appreciating the other's traits and overcome

emerging dislike or disapproval of what the other does.

Our individuality begins to hold our togetherness hostage.

We do and we don't want to see the other. We do

and we don't want to go out on activities that have

by now become predictable events... like having

a cup of tea or caffellatte. We know what the other wants,

thinks, reacts to and likes. Even those things that seem

hard to accept in the other. Familiarity by now has become

a problem! So what do we do? Do we continue to value

and revalue the relationship? Here real love, patience

and feelings of togetherness will give the fruits of a true

friendship, a true love for the other! Love is the answer

every time!



Feed back


How good is it when someone gives you

feedback on the way you conduct yourself.

Even just being able to appreciate how

an egg can be cooked in your own special

way or the opinions that you hold dearly.

Diversity is the spice of life, yet some humans

still think that their way is the only way.

Therefore feedback is not given. Resistance

and the 'silence' approaches are adopted

in favour of true honest communication.

Just to think that since the dawn of time,

people in our common humanity have

favoured war over peace. In fact they

have only had peace after lengthy battles

in unnecessary and counterproductive wars:

whether amongst nations, groups of people

or individuals. We like the competitive nature

of our being. We should instead do what

we preach when we speak about peace,

care for each other, loving one's neighbour!

These elements that are present in their

duality, with good and bad at the forefront

are the seeds in us. This duality in all

universal things is represented by life

and death, the beginning and the end,

or the end and the beginning! I appreciated

the fact that you gave me feedback

when I mentioned that it would be

a good thing for me to have. To know

how you truly feel and see the present

and the way forward. Our minefield

of emotions in pursuit of an honest

and reliable friendship needs to be

revisited often, after scouring our time

together to see whether there are

any seeds of discord. These we must

hold at bay in favour of those seeds

that allow progress as the relationship

friendship settles and changes over time.

I appreciate in you so many positives

when you challenge me over the way

I conduct myself, over my often unreasonable

expectations without necesserily expecting

a favourable result for my effort in trying

to make my point and have it my way.

You are instead more wise and experienced

in this dual approach to life and your freedom.

So if we truly want to have freedom in our friendship

we need to give each other 'Feedback'!



Waiting for you


It's been a week since I saw you last time

and then only for an evening at the movies.

There was another week without seeing you!

It's probably better not to see each other too

often! Waiting for you now gives me pleasant

thoughts about this interlude. I am literally

on edge counting the minutes or hours

(whichever one comes first) before you arrive!

For I know that your smile and shining bright eyes,

your hug will make my day! Is that all? Well, it's

plenty because we are going for a walk or just

choose to do whatever we want. By now all is good,

whatever the activity! What matters is to be together.

Happiness after all comes sometimes from

the simplicity of our expectations. No need

for much as long as we go out and have fun

together. See the sights, stop under trees

and statues, gaze at the flowing Merri Creek,

drive through our busy Melbourne roads

and enjoy our company, as we catch up

with our big list of daily chores and events.

Our friendship is strong, we can even withstand

an unexpected interruption! Like what has just

happened. I had forgotten that the Telstra

technician was due to come today in our

afternoon meeting. Lucky us that I have so many

books and much to see here in this warehouse

where I spent my days continuing with my various

activities. On the other hand you live near the beach

and have a totally different lifestyle. It's a wonder

that we meet as often as we do! Even with the best

of intentions, sometimes we cannot meet and catch up

for a Sunset evening by the beach or going to one

of our clubs dancing. Well maybe things will improve...

but now let me have this NBN connection. After this

our own connections will be stronger, faster

and more frequently!



Ode to Silvana


Oh Silvana, oh Silvana, do smile as often

as you do when you are with me. Your cheeky

repartees bounce off me like cherries on a tree.

Such joy and happiness you bring each time

we meet for an activity! These have become

numerous and varied over the time I first uttered

your name: Silvana! You were then a real lightning

bolt that struck my chords with pure resonance.

Over the months of Summer and now in Autumn,

your bright eyes still hold my attention and project

towards me a surreal attraction. Always hoping

to see you, to talk to you, to text or video call you,

to be with you.These are our times in togetherness

as good friends. We enjoy each other's company

and love to share our meals and drinks when it's

time after our activities. There is something to do,

or make or write to keep our attention and interests.

We know how to read the other's needs and ensure

that they are met. A sign of great care and love,

appreciating our different personalities. We bounce

off each other as if we know naturally what to do or say.

No discord is ever too long, for harmony is the name

of our game. After all happiness can be a very brief

experience or it can mature as we hold hands

and move to our next meeting time! Oh Silvana,

oh Silvana, come along and let's be merry for

tomorrow is tomorrow, but today is time for fun

and play! Let's have more todays as we dance

to our favourite tunes or just sit quietly in a movie

theatre watching our chosen film. Let's drink

and be joyous as we sit on the sand waiting

for Sunset by the seashore. Oh Silvana, you are

a dream girl. So sogni d'oro until tomorrow

or till we meet again! Oh Silvana...



A chant experience


You said: "Come along this afternoon. We are going

to do yoga together." No surprise to me since you are

well versed in alternate lifestyles and Indian experiences.

Food, dancing, costumes and dress, chanting and spiritual

moves give you a lot of insight into wise philosophies

for living in harmony with everyone and your environment.

Yes, you do live very well and enjoy each day appreciating

whatever it offers, including all your obligations! These latter

you meet head on and win everytime because the people

you love, care or just meet seem to love your personality and

way of doing things. You are also a great conversationalist

and can come into any topic with ease, confidence

and assurance of what you know. You don't mind saying:

'I don't know.' That's another good quality! But let's get back

to our afternoon where the yoga class planned turned into

a meeting of Indian meditation, song and chants accompanied

by a harmonium and various percussion items such as bells,

wooden sticks, a few drums and the clapping of hands.

The competent singers presented a few Indian words

on a board and then proceeded to create chants with

the repetition of those Hindi words in choral fashion.

The food, company and the view from the upstairs room

welcoming a sunset over the horizon, the sea and trees!

It was a few hours of reflection, with silence and good

feelings to show the way forward to a healthy philosophy

of life. A lot like religious belief, but for me totally different

from my own! It's good to see and reflect on the rich diversity

of our world in which the idea of God is universally present

in our spiritual and emotional make up! Even when we say

we don't believe, we actually can benefit by rituals of diverse

ways of acknowledging our human and limited life span.

This was an unexpected activity that allowed me to experience

'chants' accompanied by a musical instrument that was perfect

for a chanting session. Thank you for the invitation and your

company in this realm of spirituality.



Autumn days


It's getting colder as the days approach the final

month of Autumn. Winter will soon arrive and being

at home is more ideal to pursue indoor games playing

cards or chatting whilst preparing a hot meal minestrone!

Outside the wind and icy air from Antarctica arrives to keep

us inside... yet this very time can also be an opportunity

to visit the seashore and walk on the sand. Not many people

there at this time of the year. But the sea attraction is also

very strong. How about getting out to experience the wonder

of the sea? Watching the waves crash against those rocks,

or forcefully make their way onto the sand.Taking our shoes

off and walking on the edge of the salty water. Looking closely

to see the small fish and sea creatures. Picking up shells to take

home, occasionally cuddling up for human warmth, admiring

the clear sky and the variety of bird life living their daily routine

whilst looking for food or, like us, keeping each other company.

This is a first for us too! Experiencing the end of another season

as we move towards these winter months of rest and sleep. Nature

tells us that we must recharge our depleted energies, making plans

perhaps to go to warmer climates, like migratory birds and tourists

alike! Soon I will be with you again. Too long a wait, but soon waiting

no longer! Let's enjoy a few Autumn days to remember!



What we want


We want what we want when we want it! Often this

does not happen. So how do you go round this

problem of not getting what you want? Some people

throw tantrums, some others sit silently and brood,

but I prefer to just wait and see that it comes to me

when it is ready for me to have it! If another person

is involved in what I want, in what you want, in what

each one of us wants, then the problem becomes

complicated. When one uses the tantrum method

or the brooding one, the problem gets solved easily.

It's black or white. You get it or not! But when you use

'patience' to see how things develop, and what the other

person is going to do, the problem gets resolved because

the patient person looks for other solutions, looking outside

of the square, so to speak. For the patient one has had

time to realize that the initial hope to do what you want

when you want it is not going to happen. It's better to look

elsewhere! So do you throw the baby out with the bathwater?

Do you stop friendship or companionship or love just because

you don't get what you want? Again the answer is not all that

complicated for the 'patient' one. Just look outside of the square,

keep everything in place as it is, don't rock the boat and let

the other person have the freedom to pursue their own likes.

As a result, you can do the same and follow your heart

wherever it takes you! Each person follows their own journey

in life, and when there is no formal commitment, then freedom

of choice is possible and doable. Journey along your own path

and when this crosses with those of your friends, enjoy the company,

the love and friendship. But also be happy when this is not the case,

enjoy your own company, do your own activities, choose whatever

pleases you! Identifying what we really want is hard enough, then when

you are clear about this, denying our true wishes is counterproductive.

It's better to admit and accept the truth, no matter how harsh it may seem.

For things are what they are and often we cannot change what is!

Better to keep things 'light and breezy' if we want to be happy!