Antonio turns eighty

can’t take sixty out
go back to being twenty
count again on toes

Just a bit more ‘Wisdom of the Elders’ Shaun.

A tired old May day

pagan festival
conscripted for workers’ rights
still not retired

https://www.britannica.com/topic/May-Day-international-observance

Equinox

procrastination –
feels like evermore’s ahead;
quoth autumn, ‘Really?’

It’s the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere

Assignment of rights

giving gist of brain
to A I who knows me best
ensuring future

AI operating principle #222432454

do us a favour
exaggerate for readers
no votes in conscience

An untitled draft that I parked a while back that seems worth releasing, what with ChatGPT so much in the news.

Tastes like a dry sense of humour

Asahi (dry) beer is marketed in Australia as possessing karakuchi flavours, etc.  Presumably this is done with the intention of implying a taste too complex and/ or mysterious to describe in English.  

karakuchi! san
slick marketing speak for beer
a droll argument

I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the translation, but check out the other suggested meanings for karakuchi at wordhippo.

Coffeenz

better burn acorns
than five bitter N Z bucks
best bring beans and press

New Zealand coffee 'review'
 'over-extracted'
It seems a bitter brew is preferred by Kiwis

NB. Published after leaving the country.

Hotel review

faded star on ridge 
still pretending to be great 
but serving pringles

Winter drama

desperate fingers
crave warmth from a listless sky
seasonal neglect

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A rewording for the northern hemisphere winter solstice

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The cafe ex vita regulars

peter talks too much
in our quiet sanctuary
we think private thoughts

The prospect is peaceful

An aspirational self portrait

an aussie poet
what! you are joking me mate
you mean no subtlety

It’s my truth

its my truth init
truncated depunct’ated
goin’ nowhere soon

Covering the stench of corporeal corruption since 1794

The nervous young boy with glasses

poor little bugga
raspberry dyed hair, like mum’s
a painted target

Cemeterycal

dark autumn sky looms
birds caw, sound bouncing off stone
morbid atmosphere