TIME
by Lola Fulton, June 1998
The waves of time move slowly
Washing over my soul
Seemingly caught in endless cycles
That linger for eternity.
Yet open your eyes and look,
For time moves faster than speed.
This minute is here
Yet it's gone in a flash
Never to be recaptured.
An urgency for the rest of life
Slowly creeps in.
The days gone before pushing hard
Against the days still remaining.
Yet who knows what days remain
Or what each day shall bring.
Cherish the good, write off the bad,
Or bitterness will taint them all.
Look ahead with anticipation,
Yet look behind to find wisdom.
No need to rush each day
As we once did in our youth.
Yet tarry too long in yesteryear
With it's joys and sorrows combined
Will make us forget this very day
That in a blink will be gone.
So use this moment thats here
Without regret for the past,
And plan a future with wisdom
Knowing that it too will become "past".
SEA SHELLS
by Lola Fulton, 6.1.99
Sea shells
Sing of the sea
Washed up by time and tide
Bringing beauty and wonder
As they lie on the sand
Each unique
In it's own special way
Carrying secrets of the deep,
It's journey and travels.
At one time protecting a creature within
Now lying empty -
But no, hold it to your ear
And you can still hear
As it whispers so gently
Of the mysteries it's seen
In another life
Under the magestic sea.
THE MURRAY RIVER
by Lola Fulton.
As I sit in the sand in the searing sun,
Watching and listening to the children play,
Swimming and splashing in the heat of the day
Oblivious to the times this river has seen.
The old gums, standing like guardians of time,
Parched by the sun and the passing of time,
And the river, winding its way to the sea
As it has for hundreds of years before me.
If it could speak to me, what would it say?
Would it tell of the time whan trade was plied
The lengths of the river in paddlesteamers gay,
With crews of men who knew all its turns,
Its sandbars and hidden snags.
Or would it tell of the tragedies of those that died
As they struggled for life agains floods and tide,
Or were entangled in its hidden snags, unable to survive.
With sweat now dripping from off my brow,
The river calls to me "Come, enjoy my waters,
Join with the children in their fun and laughter"
I enter the water and it refreshes my body.
A paddlesteamer passes full of tourists with cameras,
A speed boat and skier join in the pleasure
This old river brings as it winds to the sea.
But in another hundred years,
will it remember me?
" Love "
The sweet fresh dew on the morning grass,
The rosebud unfolding you smell as you pass.
The warmth of the sun, the breath of the wind,
A treasure once lost, that now you find.
The sight of a friend not seen for a while,
The little things in life that make you smile.
The words of love that are penned in a letter,
The kisses bestowed that make you better.
The embrace of a partner that holds you near,
Tender touches and kisses that dispel all fear.
The night sky lit by the stars above,
The rainbow with colours, a promise of love.
The smell of rain on the parched arid earth,
The cry of a baby upon its birth.
The giggles and joy on a chocolate face,
The ardour and fervour of a child saying grace.
Watching little ones grow, this truly is love,
A touch of heaven sent from above.
The sound of sweet music that touches the soul,
Mates holding hands when they have grown old.
The sound of a shell thats held to your ear,
A love growing deep with each passing year.
Love fed and nurtured surely will grow,
With wonderful memories to make our hearts glow.
Love that forgets, as well as forgiving,
Love truly is giving, more that recieving.
Lola Fulton (12th Feb. 2003)
ADVICE TO PARENTS FROM PRE-SCHOOLERS.
author unknown
1. Please don't walk so fast when we go places together - my legs are short and I can't keep up with your long legs. Beside, there are many things I need to see and investigate along the way.
2. My attention span is short - lots of things last too long - like shopping and visiting and sometimes games you play with me.
3. When I'm frightened of a big dog or something, please pick me up and hold me, that helps more than telling me you won't let anything hurt me.
4. Sometimes it would be nice if you would talk to me and explain why we have to do things, or explain what is going to happen ahead of time when it is something new to me - then I'll know what to do. Sometimes you might just even have a conversation with me about anything: It would make me feel like I belong to the family too.
5. Sometimes big people get in such a hurry they tell me about six things all at the same time - I get confused when people say things like this - "This afternoon we're going to Grandmother's, get your coat, finish your lunch, choose what toy you want to take, wash your hands, and what shoes do you have on?"
6. I have trouble sitting still in the car even when you keep telling me to 'cause it's not very interesting to look at the back seat or that dashboard thing - I'm too little to see whats outside and sit down like you want me to. While we are on the subject, sometimes my neck hurts trying to see whats on the dining room table or looking at big peoples faces. Please put me on a chair or you bend down to me.
7. Would you please fix it so I know whether or not I understand what you want me to do before you get mad at me for not doing something you expected me to do.
8. Please give me time to do things for myself. I'm slow and I haven't learned yet how to put my clothes on properly, much less do it fast. What's all the hurry about anyway.
9. Please remember that I'm in the room as a person and not as a piece of furniture when you tell secrets or private things to other big people. How do I know what should not be repeated.
10. When you or daddy won't eat certain foods, or talk about being afraid of water, or not liking school, or are afraid of dentists and hospitals and doctors, why then do you expect me to like them and not be afraid?