between the pavers,
born of careless spore
a mushroom triumphs

rising above weeds
it stands tall, in a
world of small things

~ Merlene Fawdry

suspended in time, his pen

poised over words - unwritten

creativity interred with his muse

I'm a third year student, he boasted

stating his position

in the two year course

The power of her smile

illuminated the room,

where the old man lay dying

 and she, only one year old

The passing

my mother’s slippers

watch over her passing

in the way of old friends

her glasses, lonely

for the smile in her eyes

gaze from empty windows

behind the door

her pinny, missing her warmth

hugs her empty shape

until, after the wake

the final separation of

what is, from what was

the ritual burning

consumes shared lives

as a chapter closes

~ Merlene Fawdry

a few doors down, youths
sprinkle glass confetti
in drunken expression

the following day
children, navigate their way
through shards of defiance

俳画