10 pages fledgeling

FLEDGELING For Sydney Jade Lancaster, welcome in my world, Love you, Papa

GRAHAM VIVIAN LANCASTER

ALEXANDER HOUSE Incorporating TRAYBERRY PRESS 29 Howick Road Pietermaritzburg 3201 0836388813

graham.l@mweb.co.za www.graham-vivian-lancaster.co.za This edition 2008 Copyright 2008 Graham Vivian Lancaster Copyright 2008 in this published edition ALEXANDER HOUSE

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder and publisher.

First published 2008, Poets Printery Alexander House, 2009 ISBN: 0-620-41632-7 Cover design: G.V.Lancaster

Distributed by POETS PRINTERY

Other works by the author: NOVELS: Wind Song Strength Of ten SELF HELP: Everyone Can Do It Its Never Too Late Surviving The Ladder The Cost Of Money Who’s Shrinking Your Money?

The Happy Customer POETRY: Marks On My Soul Gypsey Whale Song Gravel Roads HUMOUR: Bert and Co. Bert Another Story Nothing For Mahala ADVENTURE SERIES: Wild and Dangerous Secrets of the Sea Cyclone Tracy

INDEX 1 FLEDGELING 2 TOO DEEP 3 DESTINED 4 RECALL 5 ROLLERCOASTER 6 A SONG FOR GORDON 7 BIG LEAGUE 8 A TIME …..

9 LAST NIGHT 10 PINK 11 WINGS 12 DRESS REHERSAL 13 MAGICAL 14 TODAY 15 BUTTERFLIES 16 JABU’S 17 PUNISHMENT OF LEAVING 18 DISCARDED 19 THE SHOPPING MALL 20 POPLAR STREET 23 WHERE DOVES DRINK 24 ROVER 25 THE TRAVELLER 26 SHE 27 HE 28 VEGETABLE SELLER

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

MATANISA DURBAN 1983 GYPSY WIND NIGHT TOMATOES WARRIOR HOPE WIND CHILD RESPECT MEANING? GUOVEIA’S CHILDREN CROSSING COLOURS LIE WITH ME DESTINY NATURE? BUSH FLOWERS GOLDEN CUPBOARD THOUGHTS DINNER FOR TWO TRAVELLERS NINETEEN YEARS QUEST WINTER NIGHT JOURNEY

FLEDGELING I have given you all I know To ease your way Through this troubled life, To take from it everything you need.

Now, without my steadying hand, It is time for you to walk alone.

I give you my shoes, But I can not give you my feet.

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TOO DEEP Filled with procreative inky deep knowledge, The pen Poises above the stark white expectant paper Nervously awaiting deflowering by the gold Sharp nib.

But the hand doesn’t move, Can’t, Unable to feel, Trust, The depths of the instrument’s Mutant smouldering secrets.

2

DESTINED Brown Mona Lisa searching eyes Whisper similar sentiments to his With a little hurt of wondering At such beautiful innocence.

Closing with pleasure, A secret smile lingers in each corner, Another where her lips meet in a tiny delta on the left That once made him jealous, Until he realized they only paraded for him.

Awry gypsy hair cascading softly over his face, Eager breath puffs, Lusty little dust devils gambolling on his cheek.

Exciting scented love spiced warm satin skin, Taste of raw emotion in her gentle tongue, Breathless mouth of passion threatening salty kisses, Showing him what they want to hear, As the estranged years fall away; like Winter’s last stubborn clinging leaves.

3

RECALL More skinny, older than herself, Than he remembered, On bent stalking legs She stooped back into his life, Suspension bridge knotted cord spine, The abacus of her own years, Tired eyes staring at the pathway before her, Winter hat of hair Too heavy for her head, Blinkered by painful memories, Seeing only what she needed To survive another day, She passed on through, this time, With a limp hand lift wave, Half mouthed recognition smile; Looking for someone else.

4

ROLLER COASTER Like the meteoric Rise and plummet Of the fork tailed drongo Chasing insects, Rock star Clawing and fighting, Every brave act Of attention seeking stupidity; From nothing To famous, Drug and booze money Lack of panache, And down again.

5

A SONG FOR GORDON When the chill winds of the north drive the anger of the sea And purple growling southern thunderheads stalk the night.

When squalling black heavens split with crackling cobalt fire And hooded sailors cower in silver lit pitching ships.

When the softly rising sun golden swathes the oil dark sea And the great lone albatross glides whitely serene.

When smiling dolphins glide through aquamarine waters And you are with peace, o man of Atlantis.

Rest easy my friend.

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