Thursday 30 April 2020
A Poem from researchers and seafarers too.
And now for something a little older, research of South Africa has drawn me to this poem by Luis de Camoes from 1572 called Lusaids
If you want to know how the masters write, read this:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32528/32528-h/32528-h.htm
#writers #poets #sailors #SouthAfrica
Smudge a view of himself
The only thing my father gave me was his name and my
mother called me Silas. Most people call me Smudge. Ever since I was a kid my
dream was to race on the European Grand Prix circuits, but where does one get
the knowledge you need, trapped in a backwater like Crystal Springs.
I was working on my race car,
Psycho, a few Fridays ago when I heard a commotion coming from the pub across
the road. I had to bend to get a good look through the open door to the bar so
I could see what was happening. A shearing team were celebrating their cut out
from Yap-Yap Station. One of them had Charlie by the collar and she was kicking
and screaming at him to put her down.
Charlie, bloody kid, only eleven
years old and seen more of life than someone three times her age. Anyway, she’s
up to her old tricks raising money for the car club. I see some of myself in
her sometimes, she’s trapped here too. Unloved by her mother and has never
known her father, but Charlie loves cars and I let her dream in the same way I
did. Sometimes I catch her sitting behind the wheel and I know she’s driving
the tracks of the world in her mind. I
hear her making gear change noises and it makes me smile. Given half a chance
this kid could be someone special. She is special. I have heard the gossip and it
might have hurt before, but I am her friend, someone she can talk to.
Had a girl of my own once, Lilly.
Prettiest little bundle of precious I ever held, but it wasn’t to be. Wilms
Tumour the doctors said, we tried everything, today most kids survive this
cancer, not Lil.
Ripped Ruby’s heart out from then
our life together was never the same. She found excitement in the arms of a man
who used her as a punching bag. I visit every Wednesday, I don’t think she
knows me, but I go anyway, hoping she’ll come out of her coma and smile. She
doesn’t deserve to live this way, but after the divorce she has no one to make
those sort of decisions for her. I guess had we stayed together, I would be
agonising over turning off the machines. Oh I tell her everything and I’m sure
somewhere in there she hears me, if not it helps me I guess.
Anyway back to the Friday night, its late and I get
a call from the Peterborough police, the little bugger has got down there
somehow and they want me to pick her up and take her home. I act up a bit, but
decide to go anyway. When I take her to her mother’s place, that useless prick
Kevin is there. Long story short, the kid comes home with me and stays in
Lilly’s room. Terri storms in and accuses me of all sorts of shit. That day
there’s an accident and the authorities let Charlie stay with me. It’s nice
having a kid to look after, I thought when Lil died and Ruby left, I’d missed
my chance.
Now with a bit of giggling about
the place, I might just get a chance to reach at least one of my dreams. Oh!
and doesn’t that feel so good.
Thursday 16 April 2020
Why reviews give a writer a lift
Today I received an e-mail reviewing my two books Kundela and Gillespie's Gold, and here is what Derek Saunders a former school teacher from Orroroo, South Australia said about them:
I have just finished reading your 2 novels, Kundela and
Gillespie’s Gold which Paddo lent to me. Looking forward to reading “Voss”.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read and found the story line
captivating, imaginative and certainly held my attention. Detail of the
characters’ everyday activities and inter-relationships added to the realism.
I felt I could connect with the settings around Orroroo and
district, bringing back many fond memories. I actually got out my Flinders
Ranges map to follow your story line.
I thought the scene in the Port Augusta Police Station when DI
Cassidy and team were investigating events in Gillespie’s Gold, reminded me of
the procedures that were used by DS Vera Stanhope in the “Vera” series- you
certainly did your homework, as you obviously did in many areas such as the
local geology-which also interested me, reminding me of trips out to Prince
Alfred mine and other places.
So hope you keep writing Terry, and take care.
Best wishes,
Derek.
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