We seemed to have known Tommo forever. From the first time we’d trudged to the town’s major public school with parents at a tender age Tommo had been in our line of vision. He’d been standing alone waiting patiently for admission, a tall gangling figure in shabby hand me down school uniform which indicated there must have been male siblings who’d passed through these classrooms … Continue reading Tommo
It was a high day when the incubator arrived. John had been out in the back yard watching pet wallabies at play and trying to entice them to feed on the breadcrumbs he’d sneaked out of the kitchen. His Dad had caught him scooping the inside of the bread on another occasion and severely reprimanded him. It was unhealthy and not fair to the rest … Continue reading The Incubator
Ah Cy shuffled her way forward as the bus pulled in to discharge and receive passengers. She was running behind schedule as she boarded the bus and glanced at her old watch. Stopped again! She must ask her son to get her a new one at a shop near Lucky Plaza where the wall of garments for sale cleverly concealed an inner room where a … Continue reading Ah Cy
Maria stood looking over the harbour at constant traffic on ocean passage between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland. It all looked vibrant and exciting and she never tired of the sight. She loved the freedom of her release from duties with a Chinese household up at the Peak for these few brief hours away from constant toil each week. It was a … Continue reading The Maid Diaspora
Out on my board on a stormy day On the waves of a towering height, Better use care so the locals say And keep the guards in sight. Rips and tides trapped many men With luck some made escape So, locals warn again and again With a point to a distant cape. Where smashed surf boards, a scary sight Could be found on … Continue reading Foolish Pride.
“On this trip we check out a jungle strip not used for some time to see if we can revive it!” Leon was a bush pilot who’d flown in and out of jungle strips since getting his clearance to fly. I’d just completed an assessment of the air service we’d been funding from Singapore having spent several days orienting to this air service and its … Continue reading Jungle Pilot
On dark and chilly nights it seems I have my most intriguing dreams, I’m sometimes driving places far And suddenly I’ve lost my car Replaced with childhood pedal toy The type I loved so as a boy, And wondering how to home I’ll go, Toy pedals, small feet working slow. Then other nights I’m floating high And none can reach me though they try, … Continue reading Dreams
It was vacation and the boys around town were looking for something to occupy their time. With pocket money already spent there was no use hanging around Main Street so after checking out shop windows for a while and discussing emerging fashions of the 1960’s it was time to retreat to the park on their bicycles and stand around discussing possible things to do. John … Continue reading The Drinking Fountain
She sits alone in window chair And watches children play, The sun shines on her silver hair She leans on cover grey. A weary smile on crinkled face Remembers times gone by, Recalls her tree house hiding place When playmates made her cry. Then softly hears her Mother call While seeking hiding child Her Mother standing straight and tall With manner calm and mild. She … Continue reading Loneliness
Roger glanced furtively toward the fence at the back of their two-storey home. The house had been constructed on a steep allotment which had been levelled at the bottom end creating a cliff strengthened against slippage by a slanting stone retaining wall. The house had been constructed with top storey, being the main living area of the home, neatly tucked into the top of the … Continue reading Naomi
