real-life living on the land...

The real-life of living on the land is beyond a romantic dream...
It can be a very dark place...
A dark reality...
And it need not be...
If only there was a little political empathy...and action... https://t.co/Mnl9ZQITtl

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) October 24, 2021

emerging flames...

The emerging flames of creativity, imagination and enchantment are snuffing out the bonfire of stagnant institutions...
Love these stunning thoughts...Meaningful and encouraging... https://t.co/F4yVESY8f3

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) July 23, 2021

blackened worlds...

what matters most
in blackened worlds is
a loving friend #haiku https://t.co/nlAtIJjF2h

— Gemma Wiseman - on Bunurong land, Kulin Nation (@AuraGem) February 6, 2021

our smoky days...

there will come a time
when we remember
our smoky days and
wonder why we didn't drown
our first fires #tanka https://t.co/kT5XARn60t

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) September 22, 2020

fire and rain...

At times, I wonder if we live in a world of Nature's own war - a clash of fire and rain...Survival of the fittest...The BIG question is...WHY...
Record rain has South Australian outback stations rejoicing as SES warns of flash flooding https://t.co/mdLgR0NZUo

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) September 19, 2020

beside a Sunday fire...

I am beside my Sunday fire.

In here, it is warm and civilised.
But out there, in the gumtree hills, out with Old Amos, the wind is relentless and tough.

Old Amos told me the animals are on edge...

He understands them and August. pic.twitter.com/qClHjNDWv1

— Tim Mallon (@PatMalo85776814) August 23, 2020

Knowing a rather chaotic week looms - more parent-teacher interviews

 +

letting an online friend go today to reduce anxiety,

 the thought of a quiet fire is indeed a welcome touch of civilised connection and peace...

crisis meets crisis...

'A picture is worth a 1,000 words' = a bit of a platitude... But s'times, even platitudes come alive...What else is there to say to a photo of current LNU Lightning Complex fires in Napa Valley whirling round a 2020 sign.

Crisis meets crisis.

- by @noahberger3884 in California pic.twitter.com/5vmypTQ2em

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) August 21, 2020

fire pit...

My neighbour and his fire pit... I thought he seemed to be having quite an intimate dialogue... with the pit or the fire itself?
(NOTE: There are about 6 properties here with no backyard fences...just a continuous stretch of green... space by default) pic.twitter.com/7sdHIleK3Z

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) June 22, 2020

firebrand leaders...

firebrand leaders
wildfires
on the run
but there is always
backburning#tanka #MayTanka #NatankaMo #5lines pic.twitter.com/LmHj5rDw5W

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 17, 2020

Backburning just needs a little planning in the right season...

I have set fire to the morning...

I have set fire
to the morning
with word kindling
now to let
the embers cool#tanka #MayTanka #NaTankaMo #5lines pic.twitter.com/Jcfeqh0AKz

— Gemma Wiseman (@AuraGem) May 16, 2020

Amazing how the intended brief fling of writing becomes a big love affair...

resilience in fire and drought...

It’s the weekend, time to relax and listen to Story Lounge – our storytime for adults!https://t.co/ykSFtlLKly
Our next live session will be on Wednesday 22 April at midday. pic.twitter.com/g7K7OVX2ag

— City of Melbourne Libraries (@melblibrary) April 17, 2020

This morning I ventured to Story Lounge presented by the City of Melbourne Libraries.
(I am trying to explore new worlds in this pandemic to keep my curiosity polished and alive.)
There I found 2 writers I know nothing about...and loved instantly...
They were Alice Bishop and Cate Kennedy - 2 Victorian writers...
The main themes for both writers involved disasters and resilience

Alice Bishop - A Constant Hum

(collection of short stories - based on the aftermath of the 2009 Black Saturday fires)
Maps (micro short story - just a few sentences)
'there's something calming when I see no blackened scar through green'...
My comment recorded on City of Melbourne Libraries YouTube:
The Alice Bishop story has a sense of taking in the breath and holding it...a sense of breathlessness...a sense of waiting at a crossroads to find a sign ...Absolutely beautiful piece of sharp, intense, 'soul shaking' writing...

Cate Kennedy (from the hot and dry north-western Victoria region)
 - The Taste of River Water -

(collection of poetry about drought)
8 by 10 colour enlargement $16.50 (Cate Kennedy reads her poem HERE)
'This was the first moment my children ever saw rain...'
 'the tired love in her husband's hand..'
'another untold story and that's why I'm telling you now...'
My comment recorded on City of Melbourne Libraries YouTube:
The narrator in Cate Kennedy's poem is an enigmatic, interesting voice...almost like a watcher... a journalist seeking that special insight beyond the mainstream news? Reminds me of Frank Bongiornau's challenge to record/journal - April 10, recorded on Twitter. He challenged us all to our personal record daily life in the midst of this current pandemic. How are we surviving? He pointed out that we could be establishing primary sources for the future historian. I have taken up the challenge and I'm recording the highs and lows of surviving...trying to include many kinds of surviving e.g I am churning out haiku and micropoetry to represent the inner tides. In short, I am trying to record beyond the ever-changing mainstream politics and policies...I guess, ultimately I could be like the narrator of the poem... I could even be the very woman who won 2nd prize for her photo. Enjoyed your readings. Beautifully paced. (Sorry...Perhaps I am raving...I'll stop)

P.S.I am good at being awarded 'second prize' because I don't follow 'the rules' exactly.
I may even sink to 'highly commended', because somehow I just don't fit the labels and tags required.