VoicesNet.com Recent Poems of Lee Emmett - Copyright for all poems displayed belong to author

IS IT ARROGANCE by Lee Emmett

9/9/2009

is it arrogance
to want only the best
to continue search
despite gratification
of some requirements

is it futile
to hope for more
than the ordinary
daily pleasures
which seem to
satisfy most folk

if it all seems
to lead nowhere
is it right to abandon
long-cherished ambition
or sacrifice principle

will it be enough
to settle for comfort
of warm slipppers
and home-cooking

disillusioned teacher
was once heard to say:
'roll on death'

LOVE by Lee Emmett

9/9/2009

love open mind
smile in eyes
sensitive touch
perception wise

love breadth
of consciousness
chooses words
with such finesse

love humorous
analysis
intelligent use
of emphasis

love fine balance
emotion and wit
can never have
enough of it

love chance
to reveal
different aspects
layers peel

love meetings
so fulfilling
brain alert
body willing

love warm heart
love complex soul
love each part
love the whole

WARRACKNABEAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW by Lee Emmett

9/9/2009

Warracknabeal Agricultural Show
circa late sixties
sleeveless dresses
Jean Shrimpton length
long fringes hide eyes
make small talk near carousel
fairy-floss on stick
debate whether to spend
remaining pocket-money
feeding balls into clown-mouths
or on lucky-envelopes
young, muscled Aboriginal men
in bright-colour satin shorts
and tartan dressing-gowns
on platform outside boxing tent
brawny bloke with megaphone
incites passersby to come inside
shooting-gallery with kewpie dolls
temperature's hot
air's dusty
inside corrugated-iron shed
Country Women's Association
blue, red or white ribbons
prizes for crochet, sewing
jams and decorated cakes
in the animal enclosures
sashes for prime bulls
rams and varieties of poultry
birds, cats and dogs
on the arena horse dressage
and jumping events
Irish and Scottish dancing
proud parents clapping
Devonshire tea for ladies
while men gather in beer tent

OFF TO ILMENAU by Lee Emmett

9/9/2008

off to Ilmenau today
meet some German friends
who stayed in Belgrave
time with them to spend
take train from Frankfurt
change at Erfut
never been there before
imagine it will be good
met some Spanish girls
at breakfast this morning
might see them in Berlin
for them, new era is dawning

St Jakobus Lutheran Church, Ilmenau by Lee Emmett

9/9/2008

St Jakobus Lutheran Church in Ilmenau
was built around the twelfth century
it has largest pipe organ in the region
and is often used for concert recitals
when site was excavated an ancient
tombstone was revealed in perfect condition
the choir can be accommodated in two tiers
and Goethe often attended services there
local silver and mine owners had places
reserved for their families, and there is
a fifteenth century model of the Last Supper
on loan from a neighbouring church
the coat of arms of the Hennebergs and
the Grand Duchy of Sachse-Weimar-Eisenach
can be seen at the sides of the altar

SO FULL OF LIFE by Lee Emmett

9/8/2009

so full of life
and blooming health
bubbling with ideas
and nature's wealth

enthusiastic with
laughing eyes
every discovery
fills with surprise

young backpackers
American lasses
mix very happily
with all classes

despite wet weather
off the city
to see everything
they look so pretty

A BIT DUMB by Lee Emmett

9/8/2009

a bit dumb
too fat
not pretty enough
why do it -
this comparative stuff
imagine other's better
build big pile
of mind-rubbish
self-esteem dies
become unattractive
self-fulfilling prophecy
get what deserve
feel insecure
scare away
mad, really
could try new strategy
like, good enough
happy enough
fit enough
just being self

GOETHE HAUS by Lee Emmett

9/8/2008

high point of trip
call by Goethe Haus
where poet once wrote
great thoughts rouse

and family entertained
eminent folk of the day
library full of inspiration
for Werther and other plays

overlooked garden
admired furniture of the time
ornamental clock in hallway
imagine when it chimed

heard life stories from guide
another spoke of art collection
felt humble in the aura
overwhelmed by reflection

descriptions of contemporaries
and intimate biographies
Germany´s preeminent intellectual
encompassed all philosophies

SIX IN THE MORNING IN FRANKFURT by Lee Emmett

9/8/2008

six in the morning in Frankfurt
most in hostel are asleep
looking down on Kaiserstrasse
if from the window leap
would be three storeys high
above deserted street
except for noise of talkers
and early workers on feet
tram car goes past by station
older women come for breakfast
blues music on radio
wonder will clouds last
sun yet to appear
neons still looking bright
blue sky brightening
frightening away the night

JUST MET FIRST AUSSIE by Lee Emmett

9/8/2008

just met first Aussie
from Brisbane town
could tell from acent
he's from 'under-down'
just a brief handshake
he's got plane to catch
working visa in UK
brief conversation snatch
must not succumb at once
to extreme nostalgia
to hear and see folk again
friends from home, Australia

OH, SWEET JASMINE BRIGHT by Lee Emmett

9/7/2009

oh, sweet jasmine bright
in starlight, gracing fence
with intertwining leaves
and potent fragrance

oh, the hooting owl
far off, out of sight
silently flaps wings
hunting late at night

oh, is this the dawn
clambering over cloud
spreading rosy arms
in a welcome proud

oh, a moonstruck lass
gazing upon lover
in the open meadow
near a mournful plover

WHAT TO DO FOR HUMAN SUFFERING by Lee Emmett

9/6/2009

what to do for human suffering
emotional and physical pain
in face of worldly misery
to help get spirits up again

see people paralysed in fear
torturing themselves with guilt
or enduring chronic conditions
their lives on anguish built

hear real stories of disaster
or ongoing experience of grief
nature and range of unhappiness
sometimes beggars belief

in relation to many situations
a reliable source of comfort
can be introspective meditation
which can assist and support

with equanimity in mind, it's
easier to tackle any problems
wise action, with compassion
often reveals unexpected gems

SITS IN FRONT OF FIRE by Lee Emmett

9/6/2009

sits in front of fire
integrity runs through veins
usually high expectations
cause excruciating pains

principles drive actions
disappointment often lets down
limited perspective of mortals
and egoism causes to frown

over time, becoming realistic
separating self and others
intuitive grasp of consequences
means much of life bothers

gives so much of self
often at point of exhaustion
encourage to reflect and rest
to regain sense of completion

VERY INDEPENDENT by Lee Emmett

9/5/2009

very independent
and so carefree
is this meant to be
individually hellbent

don't think 'tomorrow'
take day at a time
spending last dime
avoiding sorrow

commitment, what?
won't go there
please, don't dare
such a load of rot

now just accept
left hand and right
clasping, despite
separately adept

VALLEY BATHES IN FULL MOON LIGHT by Lee Emmett

9/4/2009

valley bathes in full moon light
gentle breeze rustles gum leaves
restless ram baas relentlessly
it's just too bright to sleep
hear possum stirring in eucalypt
and traffic noise along highway
air's clear and clean after downpour
with street-lights well-defined
all that's missing is company

in the study, behind the computer
a huntsman lurks, its hairy legs
hidden, temporarily out of sight
earlier today the spider's body
sat in triangular lotus position
at uppermost corner of ceiling
apparently in perfect equipoise
it also lacks an earthly mate
(unless its companion is hiding)

WE'RE SISTERS by Lee Emmett

9/4/2009

we're sisters
who grew up
in the same home
in the same town
at the same time
how is it possible
to experience
and remember
each of our parents
so differently

A CAPELLA NIGHT by Lee Emmett

9/4/2009

a capella night
Burrinja's Selby Folk Club
perfect pitch voices

PAPIER-MACHE OWLS by Lee Emmett

9/4/2008

papier-mâché owls
of copper-bronze hue
from Myanmar in Burma
with chest ornamental blue
sit on the window ledge
looking wise, these two
mementos of friend's trip
bring daily joy, it's true

HONG KONG CENTRAL by Lee Emmett

9/4/2008

not many place to sit in Hong Kong city central
have to pay through the nose in some buildings
where the opulence is beyond the reach of the
average person, most of the goods in the shops
are geared to the tourist trade, and there's not
really a problem with that, because expectations
are met; but take a stroll towards the water and
you will see another side of life: a young fellow
with truncated limbs begs for coins from passersby
at the central ferry area; seating is sparse
you get the sense of a population in transit ...
when finally come across some public benches
a couple of fellows can be observed fishing from
the harbour, they have hand-held lines, and
call pleasantries to two women removing weeds in
the garden at the base of the covered walkway
... recognise accent of fellow Australians who
are discussing where their boat might be and
they smile in greeting; cool breath of wind
from the harbour gives brief respite from the
cloying, moist heat; Hong Kong is an active
working harbour, with boats moving people and
freight all day and night ... redevelopment is
happening along the waterfront, with heavy-duty
equipments' vibrations forming a constant noise
in the background ... in the open-air spaces people
move at a leisurely pace, saving any speed for the
air-conditioned buildings ... ferries chug their
way from point to point, carrying the multitudes
and it is very obvious who is here on holiday
compared with those who reside and work in this
thriving, steamy city of domino-shaped buildings

HONG KONG HARBOUR by Lee Emmett

9/4/2008

looking over the harbour
taking time out from walk
hear people as they pass
foreign languages talk

far away is mountain
cloud sits on its head
haze drifts like blue veil
eagles flies wings spread

people are all very busy
some stop to chat or eat
just past mid-afternoon
time to rest weary feet

in about an hour meet friend
travel back to her work
has evening sessions tonight
and duties she cannot shirk

grandparents sit at next table
looking after young girl
grandmother ties her in sling
dark hair without any curl

sun dropping low in sky
heat of sun is near
will need to reorient position
soon skin will begin to sear

fellow in crocodile boots
white stripe on navy suit
talks German into mobile
ferry arrives, gives loud hoot

bus terminus behind
short walk over to train
bustling centre of commerce
cloudy, maybe threatens rain