By Julia Vaughan
Heartache
Victorian rivers flooding as far as you can see Lodden, Ovens, Broken, Maribyrnong, and Campapse Sandbags fail at the substation Centres open for evacuation Sodden kangaroos, SES rescues at Seven Creeks Victorian rivers flooding as far as you can see Third la Nina in a row, the ground's saturated completely Seething rivers Kiewa, Yarra, King, and Avoca Too late to evacuate Mooroopna Catchments at over 100 percent capacity 11 to 16 metres above the arbitrary zero Flood markers disappear under a floating Mondeo Don't, just don't drive through Don't, just don’t paddle down in your canoe There’s only danger, exhaustion, heartache, and heroes
As If Stones
Sticks and stones? Words that do hurt More than stones could bruise How do you measure bruises on your heart? I’ve now grown Ever more alert To words that accuse It’s never, ever too hard, too late to start Be careful of tone Mindful of impact Words can uplift, inspire and amuse Find the perfect stone to polish and illuminate Sparkle like Rhinestones! Spread love and swiftly repudiate Anybody’s verbal outburst, any vile abuse Words can soothe, encourage, and liberate!
Laundry Day
Washing Winter woollen clothes Bright Summer sun scorches Intense UV fades, ages Bird poop. Wash again.
African Violets
A gift from a friend Furry rosette Dainty pot On the windowsill Glittering purple blossoms Five round petals Symmetrical Yellow stamens One leaf Can grow roots Joy Growing a clone A gift for a friend
Julia Vaughan moved to Australia with her husband in 1989. After discovering inspiring U3A Surf Coast (Victoria, Australia) “I just don’t get poetry” classes, she tentatively began writing poetry in 2021. Having her class-mates encouragement, she has had some poems published, dotted sparsely across the internet. Julia now dreams of becoming an accomplished poet. When not dreaming, she loves walking on the beach with her husband and two Vizslas.
Academy of the Heart And Mind 