The day began with a rosy glow, the kind of gentle morning that seems to lean forward and welcome you in. Chrome‑tinted clouds drifted apart, the wattlebirds stirred their songs, and a brightening sky offered a quiet rainbow as a good‑luck sign. With nature setting such a hopeful tone, it felt only fitting that the Market followed suit — a day of kind faces, steady conversations, and a humble sense of things going right.
A Blue Sky Rainbow
Early Saturday morning and we are out walking before heading off to the Market
Dawn’s chrome clouds are clearing the wakening wattlebirds are warbling and serendipitously there’s a rainbow in the sky blithely waving hello and goodbye
Nature’s welcoming signs are favourable and on this cozy, rosy day, hopefully, Ivor’s Poetry Book display will become humbly profitable
As the sky brightened, the music rose with it, and even the morning’s rainbow seemed to hum along.
A year ago, during a visit with my Canadian cousins, I left Vancouver Island for Edmonton and met my Alberta cousin in the small town of Wainwright. Soon after, we set off on a three‑day road trip back to the island, travelling through Jasper and the towering Rocky Mountains — a journey carved into memory.
A Picnic in the Rocky’s
Leaving Salmon Arm
On the outskirts of Vancouver, heading towards the Ferry
The ferry from Vancouver to Sidney (Vancouver Island)
From the Mountains to the Sea
I am gradually drifting down, From out of the mountains’ smoky shroud, Toward the seaside playground, To rejoin a welcoming crowd.
Where, around the magical island, There will be more stories unfold, As time quickly filters through my hand; But these precious moments will be all molded Into poetic lines, written in charcoal and gold.
My Canadian cousins pointed me toward this Great Big Sea classic — a spirited companion for any journey drifting from mountains to shoreline.
It’s Market Day this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. * Our popular monthly markets are all undercover at Centrepoint Arcade on the third Saturday of every month. * They feature art, unique goods from local makers, second-hand goods, plants, books, and more. * There are also open art studios, Yesterday Vintage, Untether Gallery, and the May’d Shop.
All at, Centrepoint Arcade 132 Little Malop St, Geelong From 10 am to 3 pm
And I’ll be there with ‘Frankie’ and my “New Bookstall Set-up“
Let the quiet magic of Sigur Rós guide you toward a Saturday filled with makers, music, and friendly faces.
This afternoon we attended the very first Booktrovert Meet & Greet + Book Swap at the welcoming Books & Brew Café in North Geelong. Running from 11am to 3pm, the event marked the launch of a new bookish community for Geelong and surrounds — a space for readers, writers, and quiet creatives to gather and feel at home. The café was alive with friendly conversations, book swapping, and curious visitors learning about the new Fiction and Non‑Fiction Book Clubs. Local indie authors and makers had their work on display, adding a lovely creative buzz to the room. It was the kind of gathering where strangers quickly became bookish friends, and where the simple joy of sharing stories felt like the heart of the afternoon. A wonderful first chapter for the Booktrovert community — and a warm, memorable day at Books & Brew.
Over at Weekly Prompts, this weekend’s challenge word is Fruitful. The Booktrovert gathering turned out to be a truly “fruitful” afternoon at Books & Brew — full of new faces, shared stories, and the quiet joy of creative community. To visit their fabulous site, please click >> Here
Books & Brew Café — the perfect welcome for Geelong’s first Booktrovert gathering. A bright, inviting front view where readers, writers, and quiet creatives wandered in with curiosity and smiles.
The counter humming with coffee, conversation, and that gentle Booktrovert buzz. Frankie’s chosen table — our little home base amid the warmth of the afternoon.
Local indie authors and makers showcasing their work — a colourful corner of creativity and community.
A lively crowd filling the café with book swapping, friendly chats, and new connections. A beautiful first chapter for the Booktrovert community.
Captured moments by Catherine — fellow Geelong Writers poet and generous friend. A lovely snapshot of us together, celebrating stories and community. Her images reflect the heart of the day: warmth, camaraderie, and shared creative spirit.
A wonderful first chapter for the Booktrovert community — full of warmth, curiosity, and connection. Books & Brew proved the perfect home for this new creative gathering, and I’m already looking forward to the next event.
In the hush before dawn, the poet’s desk waits — ink, paper, and silence mingling with the faint hum of a song. “Last Rites” plays softly, and the night’s spell lingers just long enough to ask: how deep is my well?
How Deep Is My Well
Inside my pastel grey cell, where the poet’s pencils dwell, I stumbled over the inkwell and felt a dank, dark swell run down my silk lapel.
“Help!” I yell. My cocoon’s inner shell has become as black as hell.
“Please! Ring the hotel bell Perhaps the night-shift personnel will know how to quell this bewitching writer’s spell.”
From here, the ink settles… and this song becomes the last whisper of the night.
Cohen Noir: Celebrating the Music, Words & Legacy of Leonard Cohen
There’s a quiet thrill in the air today — Maree and I have just secured our tickets to Cohen Noir: Celebrating the Music, Words & Legacy of Leonard Cohen, live at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday, 26th September.
It’s only four weeks away, but the mood is already settling in: that velvet‑dark Cohen atmosphere, the poetry, the ache, the humour, the songs that have followed us through decades. To step into a hall shaped for his voice — even through the hands of others — feels like a gift waiting patiently on the horizon.
A wonderful night ahead… and I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with you all.
And as we count down the four short weeks to Cohen Noir, I keep returning to the night we saw Leonard himself in Melbourne back in 2009 — a concert that still hums in the heart. To set the mood, here’s his wonderfully cheeky and soulful Tower of Song, live from London in 2008.
Some mornings test us in small, stubborn ways — cold water, burnt toast, lights that won’t flick on. This old poem from July 2018 reminds me that even on those days, we can reset, breathe, and begin again.
Burnt Toast And A Cold Shower
When it’s so hard to get out of my warm bed, I force myself to throw the sheets off, and I face another day again.
When the light doesn’t go on above my head, I replace the globe and flick the switch, and I see again
When my shower hot water turns cold, I patiently wait for the boiler to reheat, and I shall be ready again.
When the toaster burns my bread, I turn the grey dial down to three, and I restart again
When the kettle runs bone dry, I dutifully refill the jug, and enjoy a cuppa again.
When breakfast is done, and it’s time to run, I feel the advantage of being alive, and I smile at my world again.
And sometimes a song is all it takes to steady the morning again.
This afternoon I found myself at the calm centre of things — winter draped itself lightly over the café, letting the sunshine linger just long enough for a quiet moment to unfold.
Winter Sunshine
I’m on the axis of my universe, here in the middle of our cafe, at the centre of this old town — it’s our time to relax and calm down.
We’re midway beneath winter’s hemline; the wind is cold, but the day is fine. The larks are enjoying the sunshine, and I’m sipping a glass of red wine.
As the winter light faded and the sunshine slipped away, the music left its own warm shadow behind.
This lifestyle, philosophical poem was written in November 2022 and returns to a moment of small, steady bravery. Inspired by a lone snail crossing the wet bitumen — slow, deliberate, and determined — it reflects on purpose, persistence, and the quiet journeys we all make.
Steve the Snail. His Story
I wonder what the story was Why was Steve the Snail? Crossing the wet bitumen road There, by himself Bravely and slowly sliding along Determined to reach the other side
Steve’s path was a dangerous one But the purpose of his journey Remains locked away Within the privacy Of his ‘one-story’ home
Steve’s quiet journey reminds us how much courage lives in small, steady steps. Brandi Carlile’s The Story deepens that moment — a song for the hidden reasons and private paths we all carry within our own “one‑story” homes.
A few dreamy mushrooms from my poetic wanderings that nudged my thoughts
WordPress says I’m a social butterfly. This weekend, I’ll be more of a market‑stall moth.
Dreamy Mushrooms
The poet is not dead, and not even seriously injured. Do not fret — today he’s at the Creative Market With his poetry books, sharing the words that slipped and slid out of his head.
He’ll be back tomorrow, after his dreamy mushrooms have been sent to bed.
Let the music hold the hush that lingers after the last dreamy mushrooms are gently tucked into bed.
