We all have them. Old landscape photographs that fail to register years later. I am often pondering the locations of such images. U.K. singer/songwriter, Billy Bragg has even written a song about 'Ten Mysterious Photographs That Can't Be Explained.' I certainly have a pile of such photographs among my collection that fit that category. I am sufficiently intrigued by all this photographic mystery to write an ekphrastic poem about.  This is poetry of place, even if the place is currently unknown... Landscape, Somewhere A photographic image Of a somewhat non-descript landscape Nothing in this old black and white snap To readily identify where it might have been taken No distinct memory markers No printed signs To satisfy my geographical curiosity A mysterious photo that can’t be explained As Billy Bragg once lamented. It’s just a bland landscape -a stretch of water ringed by a dark and distant forest Some tonal difference But little else The sky? -a grey unbroken mass. Would w...

  A wander through the weekly Wednesday street market of my town reveals much to stimulate the observant poet. It's the stimulus of place and the colour and movement within.  Here are a couple of poems that owe their origin to this market space with its wide array of stalls and curious shoppers. Girl at the Market   I walked by her On Market day Wednesday in Mornington.   She was browsing raspberries And blueberries Her hair, Remarkable. -The colour of ripe oranges. Alan j Wright Street Performer   A small girl Stands on the street Amid the passing shoppers Scratching out hesitant notes On a brave violin Her open case attracts A smattering of pitiful coins Tossed in by tolerant supporters And the tone deaf.   Her mother sits close by -but not too close Offering a stoic smile.   A mother’s love Shines through And the sun peeks out From behind the morning clouds And birds return to the nearby trees ...

 I take much of my inspiration for writing poetry from what is around me. I frequently write about that. When we are on the lookout for material needed for writing poetry, it is in fact, all around us. It seems to be hiding in plain sight... I live approximately 300 metres from the sea. It's a pleasant walk out my back gate, along the reserve that runs between the houses in my immediate neighbourhood. The bay and its environs have provided a rich seam of writing ideas across the years. What is calling out to you? What is begging for a little of your poetic attention? Grab a pen and go for it! Here is the latest poem inspired by the things around me. Upon Fisherman’s Beach -For Robert Louis Stevenson   Soft blue is the ocean Sun kissed wheat, the sand The tide is low at morning Waves ripple, gently fanned   Seaweed strands are drifting The shoreline dressed in foam Boats at the anchor bobbing Fish in the shallows roam   Onward flows the ocean Its waters dark and stil...

I have just returned from a week in a remote locality in Eastern Gippsland, in the state of Victoria called, Combienbar (Com-bi-en-bar). It is a place that used to be. The only physical signs of community, apart from a few widely spread dwellings, is a community hall and a phone booth. The school, the post- office andd the logging mill have all faded into history. The locals cling to a fragile sense of community. No internet, no mobile phone reception, totally off the grid. The outside world ceased to distract us during our stay in this wild, largely untamed setting. Our lives were thrown back to a simpler, less complex existence. It was wonderful to be a guest of the natural world.  We were able to experience stillpoints where we became totally immersed in what we were doing and matters beyond ceased to concern us. We were provided with a slowly growing sense of calm. There was a wonderful sense of appreciation of being in a natural setting. We began to give close attention to all...

 I am currently staying in Bali, more precisely in Sanur. Sanur is quite tranquil and serene, representing older, more traditional culture. The pace of life in this area is certainly less hectic than other parts of this incredible island. I have visited Bali many times and have stayed in various locations across those visits. The people and the place continue to provide much inspiration for writing.  I have been trying to capture a spirit of place while in Sanur. I found myself writing a series of tankas. I'm not sure why I chose the tanka form, but I am pleased with what I have been able to capture. I so enjoy surrendering my writing thoughts to my immediate surrounds. Poetry of place is such a pleasurable indulgence. Hope you enjoy my gatherings... Sanur Tankas Reef & Sea Reef resists the sea Becalming the shorebound waves Ocean's roar muffled Transformed to a constant hum Heard at  water's edge. Swallow Flight Above my beach lounge Swallows flit erratically Tiny fe...

 I am sharing another piece of verse emerging from my recent travel adventure in Vietnam. We were fortunate enough to spend a week in Hoi An, a UNESCO heritage city. It was our third visit to Hoi An. It is a city with an intoxicating charm.  This special place also has much to motivate the writer within me. The daily produce market adjacent to the historic quarter of the city is a bustling space, rich with poetic potential. The market visitor needs to perfect the essential art of looking without betraying their potential retail intentions. Not an easy thing to do among such practiced observers. On several mornings, I strolled through the market, prior to breakfast. My early morning walks provided valuable research for the words that emerged... Hoi An Market 7.00 AM In the steaminess Surrounding Hoi An’s market The palpable energy of local traders Competing for buyers attention Courses daily through this busy corner Of the ancient city Pungent aromas swirl about Amid a ram...

 Travel Poems - Vietnam Verse Read, write, coffee - and carrot cake  @MiaCoffee, Hoi An   It is said, when we travel we  bring back memories and   stories...  We can also bring back poetry.  I have just enjoyed three weeks   travelling through Vietnam,   and among the things I brought   back was some Vietnam verse.   More particularly, verse   inspired by my travel   experiences in this culturally   and geographically diverse country.  This was my third visit to Vietnam. I visited some new places as well as some favourite and familiar places. Spent time exploring Hanoi, Hoi An, DaNang and Ho Chi Minh City. I took a handmade notebook purchased on a previous visit to Ho Chi Ming City -when I strolled along the city's renowned bookshop street. It felt appropriate to record my observations and collected words on local paper.   Here is a small sample of the travelling ...

  Topogram Poems , also referred to as Topography poems, are characterized by their description of a particular landscape. Elsewhere, they have been described loco-descriptive poems. The form, established way back in 1642 by John Denham saw the publication of his poem, 'Cooper's Hill.'   These poems describe and frequently praise a landscape or location. I would encourage poets of all ages (and experience) to spend time in natural locations in order to feel that essential spirit of place. Bring all your senses, a camera and a notebook with you and sit still for a while. Breathe in all the magic residing in that location. I am aware of this theme of place exerting a strong influence on my poetry. I am frequently drawn to such writing; this poetry of place. Furthermore, I hear the words rising up to greet me whenever I sit still and look more closely at the wonder before my eyes. As writers, we strive to evoke the sense of joy derived from these natural settings. I now shar...