Pure Bliss
After a good period apart, this friendship
is proving to be even stronger than I thought.
Being with you is like a timeless event,
where time is forgotten and we, together,
enjoy the pure bliss of companionship.
Just going for that long walk and chatting
about what goes on in the world, or
preparing a delicious meal with a good
glass of that excellent wine. Sharing
our views about the world we live in
and the challenges that are faced by all,
but especially by young people wanting
to have a go at what we call a successful
life and a prosperous future. Sunset
Love does offer so much more to those,
like us, who understand the limitations
of our individual situation. We have
individually established lives with family
and friends. Therefore pure bliss can only
come to us if we demonstrate and practise
understanding, care and respect for each other.
We know that each day is as precious as
the weather and natural environment gives us.
We enjoy the sunshine, the warmth, the beautiful
surrounds that nature offers. We love to be
joyful, free and happy without the burdens
which we have carried over the years
because of a growing family, commitment
to our work and maintaining our marriage
intact, sincere and in peace. Values that you
and I have shared again, as individuals, over
the years within our separate lives. Now
we have the freedom of choice, an appreciation
of liberty, allowing our bucket list to be fulfilled,
enjoying ourselves as we travel along the path
of time. We love to see each other occasionally
and rejoicing in our mutual company. Again, this
last time has been for both of us Pure Bliss!
Mutual Understanding
Reaching mutual understanding with friends
whom you love, respect and care for their well
being is not an easy task. Especially when
personality and experience are different
from our own! The main element needed to do
this is to be patient... and really listen to the other's
heart beats, thoughts and likes! Being observant
will reveal the daily culture of the other and allow
us to look into all their characteristics. In turn
the other person has to do the same with us.
It's a mutual obligation if we truly want to have
harmony and understanding together! The benefits
for achieving this mutual understanding are very
many indeed! We become free to do and choose
whatever we believe we should have. In particular
times and as we follow our individual path in our
journey forward. We can say whatever we want.
We don't necessarily fault the other with their
opinions and beliefs. A good relationship practises
such a state of being and living with the company
we keep! Being flexible in our desires and expectations
becomes the norm. Our appreciation of what we do
together reaches new heights and allows for further
growth in joy and happiness. It's healthy to be in
this cocoon united in purpose and activities, living
the moment with a positive outlook and conversation.
What more can we want from our mutual understanding?
Well there is the real knowledge of the other's individuality
and precious personal and intellectual make up. Their spirituality,
emotional leanings and philosophy. These are ingredients
that require a dose of understanding and wisdom. We live
better when we achieve 'mutual understanding' and continue
to appreciate this need if we want harmony and a lasting friendship.
We have it now. Let's keep it and share it with love in our sunset years!
At peace with myself
The sky is today a light blue with clouds
gathered in groups with definite borders.
There is no wind, the air is quite warm
for this time of the year. You would expect
birds to be chasing each other and, on the road,
cars coming through noisily. But no, no, it is quiet,
just like my soul today! I am at peace with myself.
The last few years have been a whirlwind of activity,
moving and shifting so much of my wares... yes
they have come to rest in my new warehouse.
All these chattels, books, clothes and furniture,
my notes and media products, including my photos
and footage, the project boxes, family memories
of when my children were young! And, of course,
all this reminds me of Nella. I am surrounded
by all these things that she bought and kept for
an eventual use. She was a true buyer, my Nella.
With her moving into celestial life. I have had to
move on, to continue my journey. One that basically
travels along the same tracks of my choosing, but
this time with me totally at the helm. Moving forward
as I please without having to consider Nella's wishes
and her needs! How strange it is to feel as if my life
is beginning again! A reminder of a time before
I met Nella when I went here and there as I
pleased: meeting new friends, going out to dances
and outings... and always looking for a possible partner
to behold and love. Yes, love was there hidden in those
days of freedom. Then it arrived. The pot of love at the bottom
of the rainbow's end. And life in two as one began
until decades later when cancer struck. We thought
we could win! It wasn't to be! And Nella left a void
in my life... I did not stop and brood. I kept going
with Nella by my side in spirit...But as the days, months
and a couple of years went by and after settling
and resettling the chattels which surround me now,
I have found peace in my heart! I have accepted
the inevitable end of life and the beginning of new life.
I have always cherished memories and history.
I continue to love these but have learnt through Sunset
Love to appreciate the Now and the transient nature of time
in our life's journey. Happy, joyful or sad, in pain, grieving
or overcoming these, I, you, we all must bow our head and pray
to remain positive and try to protect our health, our way of living.
Not to be attached too much to earthly possessions and value
our spiritual and emotional human condition. To love, share,
being generous and kind are ingredients that will lead each
one of us to be 'in peace with ourselves!'
Our Federal Election and Eurovision Final 2019
What a combination for this Saturday Night and early
Sunday morning of the 16th of May 2019! Two events
that will provide a result with which I will be talking
about on my community radio segments, soon after
and in the medium to long term! This Federal Election
campaign has become polarized and given all voters
a clear choice for the laws of the near future. Shall it
be more of the same under the current Government
led by the Liberals, or shall we have a Whitlam style
new broom that will change the status quo and move us
in directions that we may or may not like. I like the saying:
"Soup is never eaten as hot as it is served !" This applies
to all Governments and Oppositions when they are elected
to govern for change. I have written in the past that it is
wise for a people living in a Democracy to show those who
govern who is the real boss! This can only be done sometimes
by a shock treatment: sending home those who have ruled.
I prefer that they stay there for a couple of terms and no
more! So that the Opposition can check what has been
done and then move on to a different tune in favour
of those sections of society that have missed out!
Economic and social changes are hard to implement
at the best of times. It requires real leadership and good
management to achieve what have been elected promises.
After a while in government, this group of Parties or Party
in Government needs to be moved on. The cycle will continue
to ensure transparency and honesty by the people who govern
for the period of their elected mandate. I look forward to this change
on Saturday. It's time for Labor again, it's time for Shorten! And it's time
for Australia to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
Probably not this time to both!
Tesoro Mio
Non sempre fra gli umani trovi
un tesoro quando lo vuoi. Dopo
una perdita e tu senti ancora
che la vita ti chiama, trovare
un'anima gemella, una persona
cara che ti fa sentire ad agio,
e' questo un gran tesoro! Lo hai
trovato cosi' senza cercarlo. E'
arrivato di colpo come un fulmine
in un giorno dove regnava la calma.
Quella calma che ti cullava nel nulla
e tu sei arrivata ed hai mosso l'aria
che respiravo. Mi hai dato nuova energia.
Ho cominciato di nuovo a muovermi
come facevo nella mia prima gioventu'.
Le esperienze insieme dopo i primi
incontri sono poi diventate piu' frequenti.
Ci siamo riconosciuti come se il tempo
e' rimasto nostro amico e compagno di vita.
Non c'e' voluto molto per trovare sotto
quell'arcobaleno un tesoro di gioia
che si tramuta e si rinnova quando
noi due usciamo insieme. Tutto va
come quel venticello marino che ci
accarezza e ci fa sentire felici.
Il tuo sorriso, gli occhi scintillanti
ed il tuo modo di fare trovano in me
un forte legame di amicizia e cura
reciproca per la nostra salute interiore.
Si potrebbe dire vero amore in questo
nostro periodo di vita al tramonto,
dopo quei sogni giovanili ormai realizzati.
Adesso e' per noi un giorno alla volta
ma vogliamo che questo giorno si rinnovi
per molti anni anncora. Accettiamo
quel che l'Universo e Dio ci donano
e sappiamo che la notte piena di stelle
illumina il nostro cammino in quel viaggio
che ognuno di noi un giorno affronteremo!
Nel frattempo, tu sei per me'Tesoro Mio'
oh Silvana del mio 'Sunset Love'!
Habits
We all have our individual habits!!!
Let no-one tell you that your habits are wrong.
They are in fact different from the other person's
habits! Beware though that habits can be bad!
So give yourself time to review your own habits!
Distance
The tyranny of distance in a relationship
can be a trial of our own emotions... for love,
companionship, friendship need a time together.
Otherwise distance drives a cold chisel in the middle
of our very being! We, humans, need to feel
the warmth of a hug, the touch of a hand, the seal
of a kiss and all that presence gives to each other.
So when love wanes because of distance, what can
we do to remedy neglect? Writing a letter or card, a poem
or note the many times together? Memories lived, moments
of happiness, the joy of being together doing something
that we both love. Appreciating the absence for whatever
reason can be an antidote, but distance is like a small poison
portion that drives each party apart. To live without the other,
not to see or talk to each other often: to be one's own best friend
becomes the normal habit. The new habitat in which there is only
room for newcomers or solitude! "Is another love the answer? "
You asked or rather you said this to test my reaction, adding: "maybe
you need someone closer!" Geography, you know! Ah, distance!
Our chats
We often talk about all sorts of things and entertain
ourselves for substantial blocks of time! Sometimes
you complain about me taking too much valuable time
from other things that you have to do. Sometimes you
don't mind it at all. What is good is the fact that we leave
these corridors of communication via phone, text, video
calls or just plain chatting when we are together.
It feels good and comfortable being with you, Silvana.
But I notice that others are just as comfortable in your
presence and with your ability to hold conversations
for long periods. In this respect I mirror your character.
I too can keep chatting and conversing for hours... and
especially when the other person disagrees or has a different
point of view! Then it's like being in Parliament! "Why do we
tick so well? I ask myself at times. Am I happy to do this
with many other people? Yes and no! It depends whether
I am in the mood to hold 'court' in my chat saloon. Yes, with you,
this is different. No matter what the hour, I am always ready
to stop everything, even what I am doing! That is usually
the case. You are close even if far away and sometimes far
away when you are close! This ability to hold your 'persona'
whether close or distant attracts my curiosity and my love
to be with you. Over the last few months, almost six months
now, you have been present and we have enjoyed each other's
company, friendship, activities and good food and drinks,
whether at home, outdoors or out. The times of our absence
from each other, as we live our own individual life, have in fact
been good times too! Distance makes love grow fonder... and so
it is with developing friendships. For we are in our Sunset years
and we want to enjoy the fullness of life with all that's been and
is going to be! Let it be so as we move forward to own what
we have and acquire new experience of each other, together!
La tua assenza
La tua assenza si fa sentire in queste giornate
di freddo e di quiete solitudine nel mio ritrovo,
dove passo il tempo a riflettere, a pensare
a quel che devo fare. E poi mi muovo
per mettere le cose in ordine, per organizzare
gli ordini, per guardare un po' il telegiornale
da dove arrivano tante notizie. E per questo
e fra questa vita quotidiana che sento la tua
assenza. Una mancanza in tutto presente
perche', ormai, mi sono abituato a far le cose
mie, come voglio io! Ed io so che anche tu fai
lo stesso, oh Silvana! Ed e' giusto che sia cosi'!
Mi domando perche' ancora mi affatico a capire
qual'e' la giusta via per questa compagnia, per
la nostra amicizia che richiede piu' presenza?!
Forse arrivera' fra qualche giorno un tuo text
o telefonata per dirmi che sei di nuovo qui,
nella nostra citta'. Pensando alle nostre gia'
vissute attivita', questa tua assenza mi da'
speranza per le settimane che verranno.
Ma e' vero che l'amore e' come il fuoco che
brucia quando c'e' legna e castagne in serate
di schietta conversazione. O quando andiamo
fuori a ballare e passare il tempo a ritmo di cha cha!
Tu sei un'esperta di questo ballo mentr'io mi trovo piu'
ad agio al suono di un tango o di un valzer. E gia' le nostre
piacevoli ore insieme cii fanno apprezzare quest'amicizia
che continua, anche con le assenze! Perche' la distanza fra noi
aguzza in me la voglia di stare piu' insieme a te! La tua distanza
presente e' inevitabile come il mio Sunset Love per te!
For my Friend Silvana
(Amica Poesia e Tramonto Amore)
Leopardi prese l'ispirazione da Silvia
ed io adesso la prendo dalla mia amica Silvana.
Ma chi e' Silvana? E' una donna che mi fa scrivere
tante poesie. Un'amica non come tante altre
nella mia vita. Si', perche' la vera fonte dell'amore
che ho nel mio cuore e' la mia Amica Poesia.
Ed e' lei che mi tiene veramente compagnia,
che mi vuole bene senza alcun gioco di potere,
che mi da' le coccole spirituali quando ne ho
veramente di bisogno. Pero' la mia Amica Poesia
e' anche amica delle donne che ho anche amato
platonicamente prima e poi mentre avevo al mio fianco
la mia Nella. La mia Amica Poesia fa avvicinare
chiunque viene da me e resta con me dopo il primo
iniziale incontro di grande attrazione e meraviglia.
Familiarita' piano piano entra a far parte di questa
nostra, mia realta'. E la mia Amica Poesia rimane poi
la mia costante amica quando rimango solo.
Percio' mi mancano adesso tanto le vere coccole,
gli abbracci ed i baci occasionali della mia amica Silvana.
Scegliere non so, non sta a me. Pero' io so che infine
rimango sempre e solo con la mia Amica Poesia! E cosi' sia!
Eccetto quando il sole mi riscalda in questo Tramonto Amore!
La Mia Amica Poesia/My Friend Poetry
Lately I have realized that my Friend Poetry has been
a constant throughout my adult life since I wrote that
first poem there in the Baillieu Library at the University
of Melbourne back in 1968! And not only poetry! Plenty
of writing for myself and to explain my failures, omissions
and weaknesses. Trying to identify why things turned out
the way they did. And as my writings occurred at night more
often than not, I developed a sixth sense in appreciating
the calm of the night in a busy family household. Then I also
began to publish a few poems in the Italian Club University
magazine and later in a literary page of a couple of the local
Italian Language Newspapers and in schools. My writings
never stopped ! And I did not have it looked at professionally.
This writing was there for me! At times in my early years
I would bother my mamma or sisters to listen to the occasional
poem that I had written. Later on I would do this with my wife
Nella. My writing was always about what happened or a reaction
to what was happening around me! The years rolled by and I
continued to write even when I was very busy! Especially then!
My writing also improved and I continued to take every opportunity
to write cards for birthdays and other Social or Festive occasions.
My Friend Poetry was my 'confidante', but I did not allow myself
the luxury of pouring my feelings onto paper knowing that
the written word is like going to meet your friends in a piazza.
My Friend Poetry was a true companion without getting
so close to it that it could hurt my feelings or those of others.
Keeping a balanced view, saying just enough to share our
human side and personality. My friend poetry was present
at Births, Baptisms, Communions, Weddings, all Festive
occasions, Birthdays, travel. It also leads me to appreciate
photography... a picture is worth a thousand words, then
footage and videos, TV programs and now online and internet...
My Friend poetry was a companion when I travelled with Nella,
when she was sick and went to Eternal Life... Then My Friend
Poetry gave me a hand in developing a new friendship with my
immediate environment. Silvana arrived. So I began the journey
of following close those activities and meetings that we shared over
many months. My Friend Poetry and my friend Silvana have fused
into this Sunset Love episodes and book. Of course literary convention
requires that this book is also a work of fiction for all readers to enjoy.
Sunset Love it!
Watching the pot boil
All things take their time, especially if we are in a hurry!
So don't watch the pot, let the water in it warm up, heat up,
boil at its own pace! And it depends on what we want to do
to stop this process from cold to boil! Sometimes we need
the water in the pot to remain just right for the use we want.
As time is the essential element in all that we want to do
and achieve, it's fair to suggest to ourselves to go easy...
Don't rush the process in place, let it run its course and all
will be fine, just the way we want it to be! So it is between
people who are friends. Remain at ease and let the other
live their own life, without pressure and with detachment
in practice. Eventually the other person will come around
looking for you, instead of vice versa. For we can try too
hard to get what we want when we want it. Be it just
a simple smile or hug or a walk anywhere. Loving the other
person means also to let the other be. To let the other live
at a pace that suits that particular daily routine. Not to
interfere and when this happens, do our own things and be
content! Happiness with ourselves is the key. To love yourself
just as much if not more than you love the other! Remain
patient and joyful each day regardless of what expectations
you have. It's like closing the door of a small door and opening
up an even bigger one. To let whatever happens for the better
enter into your life. Each one then gains in freedom and love!
Then you don't need to watch the pot boil !
Why?
After two months of not seeing each other, you told me
that our special time was going to be no more! I was
surprised to say the least because I hardly called you
on the phone, I kept my texting to a minimum, I did
not put much up on Facebook nor did I communicate
with you on your page. When I saw you, you looked tired
and worried about your own family members. You were
happy to catch up with me, but you were reticent to warm
up to my advances, although I felt at home just touching
and holding your hands! You said that we were so different
that you could not go on travels with me, not even to local
places. I thought afterwards about all this and could not
sleep thinking:"What have I done? Apart from being a bit
of a pain in the months before my trip to Italy." But I did
respect your wishes of giving you time to yourself... Have
I done something wrong? Or have I been too distant?
I have my suspicion that all is not well with you! That you
want to distance yourself from me because of your worry
about 'cancer'! You need not worry about this because
I have experienced its lethal presence with my father
and wife. What we all need is to keep this cancer thing
at bay. It is a mystery to me! Therefore my conclusion
is that time, our time, is limited and that each day is precious.
Our 'love' needs to be there to give us the occasional
time of peace and rest in a cocoon of loving joy and mutual
care. These latter we have experienced and it's such a pity
that it's come to an end. I don't want this especially seeing
you so stressed and tense about your family members whom
you love so dearly. Silvana, our time has been special... Why does
it have to end like this? Tell me. I am your 'sunset love'...
What if ?
What if I do all that you want. That is: not ring you,
not contact you, but only occasionally. Leaving it all
up to you to initiate your own wishes when to see me!
What if I remain passive and only have 'love' for you
in my heart? Would this be what you really want?
In other words you only want platonic love! Instead
I burn inside thinking of you and the times that I can be
together. I love our very own special day when we share
companionship and care... doing whatever comes on
that very day! Be it a walk in the park, an activity with your
local friends, a swim in the sea, some outings to shops
and markets, just a dinner for two prepared by loving you!
Yes, I too want to contribute, but no, you have it all under
control! What if I see you only occasionally and don't put
demands on your freedom? This I have given you most
willingly because I too love my freedom, except for the fact
that I am very loyal and careful to be less adventurous
when I should! This you have understood and told me
to go out there and enjoy myself with other friends
and companions! Is this why you want to stop our time
together so that I can be free and less loyal? Maybe I will
have to follow your advice and roam around and look
for love in other places. Will I find it? Who knows? What
I know is that my nights now are less peaceful thinking
about not having you daily in my heart and mind. Saying
Goodbye is hard to do... especially because
'I love you, amore mio!'
Travelling with you
This year I took a holiday and you were there in my heart
and mind. You were not present, nor did I try to keep in touch.
I wanted you to have your own time to reflect and to do
whatever you chose. I wanted to have the freedom to go since
I suspected that you were not ready to travel with me. Strange as
it may seem, these suspicions became the reality that I then faced.
With consequences when I came back home. Whilst travelling and
staying for some time near the beach, in my own apartment, to enjoy
my sea and reflection holiday, you were often present with your absence!
My love for you was present when I swam in that crowded beach full
of people. Somehow I just wanted to swim and take the sun as a reminder
of our summer months on those few times that we walked by the sea
or had a swim. I even promised myself to lose some weight and become
trimmer. This I had promised I would do, even though you doubted
and others doubted too that this was possible in Italy. On holidays people,
tourists generally put on weight , indulge in the local food and are relaxed
to enjoy what the locals are famous for in their cooking. Somehow, I don't
know why, I did not even write one poem about you or us! My friendship
for you, I thought, was solid and could not be broken. So secure in my belief
that I would look forward to meeting you again on my return and be like
we had been. Renewing the texting, chatting on the phone, having our
activities on those occasional times when we met. A more genuine love
and like you could not have for yourself. I know that we were not always
on the same page with our opinions, ways of doing things and I went
along with the fact that I seemed to be so clumsy and ignorant about
normal, everyday things, technology and decision making!
"What a surprise I did receive!" Totally unexpected in my travels still
with you in mind on my return!
Let me see now
"I want to travel with you" I said.
"This is not possible. We are not compatible for this activity",
you replied. "Not even some places close by?" I continued.
"No, I can't do that either " was your quick answer.
So now I will travel with you in my heart and mind. Go places,
explore what I would have liked to share with you. Maybe even
in the company of another or others. But I know that I will still have
you with me because now you are only a character in my book!
I shall write about the experiences that we would have had
together. My love for you and the memories I hold are still
so strong right now. Time will eventually cover these tracks
and I shall move on and walk at my own pace, in the courses
that I will choose. What a pity! I honestly thought that we had
reached a perfect understanding and our arrangement was
mutually beneficial. You were I thought 'the perfect companion'
for me. I thought that you said: "we are so different in our views
and ways of doing things!" Yes, but for me, that was the attraction.
What gave us more strength and interest in each other.
We complement each other in so many ways and 'love' could
unite the two in our sunset years! I don't know why you have
chosen to say "goodbye", but I must say "not definitively!" You may
need space and time for yourself. This I have given you and am willing
to accept as we move along in time! Our friendship can still remain
strong but now that you have cast your net and rejected this particular
fish in your part of the sea, I am not so sure that we can be the same
as before! The test of 'love' will come into play and if this is positive,
then we may be able to continue to walk together. All I know now: that
my heart is in pain, your rejection hurts and I still think of you!
Goodbye, my love
The Sun has set on this love that began when it was warm
and the light of day was strong. It was a sunset love that was
to be a more permanent friendship. Finding a companion to share
the joy of togetherness in simple activity: a walk on the beach
or the park, in the city or at public events, texting and sharing
intellectual talk about literary, artistic or any other topic
of conversation. Sharing a meal, an outing to the movies, going
dancing, reading books and having opinions that could challenge
and strengthen the relationship. Why not a hug or two, a kiss
and warm embrace, all that could carry the flame for each other's
presence in our lives. But also to have freedom and independence
to do what we must do outside of our together time, with our own
commitments, duties and choices. Then a period of separation, a time
away for a holiday and on returning wanting to resume where
we left off! It wasn't to be! You just said: " This can't be, no permanency
of this friendship as we have had it, your intense passion about your
own writing output is doing my head in!" Or this is what I understood.
"I need my own time to rebalance, find my equilibrium" you continued.
Well you have finally told me to be more in tune with myself, to go
and explore other friendships, not to be so demanding of time
with phone calls and texts! It was no use to say that distance of two
months caused this rift since I only spoke or contacted you a few times
and then didn't see you until, on our first meeting, you told me that:
" It was over! No more sunsets together, not even occasionally."
This was the time for me to say " Goodbye, my love!"
It was pitch dark and not even a goodbye kiss!
