Poem (Illustrated) - Raree Show Song



The Raree Show Song

See the show man wandering

Like a minstrel of yore

He’s full of thrilling songs and

Stories galore.

He’s watched the mighty fall

And armies rising up

A priest bending his elbow

To drain the golden cup.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

See the show man smiling

At some cosmic joke

He’s dressed in faded blue jeans

And a patchwork cloak.

He recalls a highborn lady

With a secret past

She shared her ivory body with

Other than her caste.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

See the show man weeping

Tears upon tears

And with his haunting tune he

Rolls back the years.

He’s remembering a time when

Lovers went awry

They let their passion show and

Therefore had to die.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

See the show man waltzing
With a comely lass

To the strains of melodies he’s

Heard in the past.

One two three and one two three

Ladies and gents

Gowns in the arms of top hats

Till they are spent.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

See the show man resting

Chin on his chest

Remembering the stories of

Things he likes best.

Like cows on the hillsides and

Wine in the cask.

Like truffles and sauces and

Costume party masks.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

See the show man dying

Clouded of eye

With thoughts that swirly-whirly

And race right on by.

He peeks at things which terrify

And squints a bit too

He glimpses what can only be

God shining through.

Look into his eyes and

See pictures in his mind,

It’s a raree show indeed, yes

A raree show indeed.

                  - Ava Darling

Poem (Illustrated) - Ode To Craig Kennedy

Ode to Craig Kennedy

I think back to a time in Craig’s bountiful garden

The bees were about and the whole place was glowing

With the colour and texture of everything growing

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time around Craig’s kitchen table

The pots and the pans are filled with the flavour

Of feasting ahead and auld traditions to savour

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time when fey Craig was the leader

In a trek through the forest and across rolling meadows

Which led us, in time, to a pool draped in shadows

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time shared with Craig on the shoreline

With seashells and seagulls midst poetry reciting

The sand was pure white and the stories exciting

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time spent with Craig on a day trip

A sense of adventure the one point of reference

A settler’s graveyard seen out of deference

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time out with Craig at a party

To welcome 2000, and he looked very snazzy

Shaking his gourds as the rhythms got jazzy

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

I think back to a time when Craig’s wake was a’rocking

And just for a moment the thin veil was lifted

And those who had eyes could see it had shifted

In this small patch of heaven four friends they did gather.

Now Craig is a ghost in my Garden of Eden

Where I cultivate music and laughter and freedom

Where everything here promotes you-dom and me-dom

And the breeze from the east wind provides inspiration.

                             - Ava Darling

Ava-Ism # 6



Poem (Illustrated) - Trial By Fire

Trial By Fire

Riding cross the land

On my steed so white

And my banner flying high

There’s no stopping me

With your tearful prayers

I’m attracted by your sighs.

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

Here I come, Here I come for you

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

So bid your fond adieus.

Flying past the clouds

With my eyes ablaze

And my sickle held aloft

There’s no stopping me

There’s no deal to make

My steel is never soft.

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

Here I come, Here I come for you

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

So bid your fond adieus.

Sailing on the sea

Waves beneath me roil

While thunder crashes round

There’s no stopping me

Set your heart aright

You’re headed underground.

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

Here I come, Here I come for you

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

So bid your fond adieus.

Reaching through the flames

See my hand so pale

Feel my breath so cool

There’s no stopping me

There’s no turning back

It is my time to rule.

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

Here I come, Here I come for you

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

So bid your fond adieus.

Heading home with you

Wrapped inside my arms

Know my love is true

There’s no stopping me

From my fiercesome task

Of making you anew.

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

Here I come, Here I come for you

Rumpa pum Rumpa pum

Rumpa pum pum pum

So bid your fond adieus.

                 - Ava Darling

Ava-Ism #5



Poem (Illustrated) - To Whom It May Concern



To Whom It May Concern

Dear Madam or Sir or Whomever

I may need your help in the future

When it’s time for my departure

There’s a way I desire my closure.

If I’m too weak to talk or to mumble

Please know my wish on this matter

I won’t have an easy passing

Surrounded by four walls and clatter.

It’s a matter of utmost importance

And my request to you will uncover

Your strength of back and purpose

“Will you carry me to my lover?”

“Will you secret me far, far away

To the waiting arms of the meadow

To the warm embrace of the breezes

To the kiss of sun and shadow?”

“Will you help me find my answer

In the murmur of bees and flowers

In the whisper of grassland angels

In the sigh of a leafy shower?”

“Will you help me slip my shackles

With the feeling of life on my skin

With the sense of something greater

Speaking without and within?”

“Will you help me to cross over

While breathing in earthy sweetness

While drinking in heavenly birdsong

And feeling a sense of completeness.”

Dear Madam or Sir or Whomever

When my life’s covered o’er  with grey

And death for me comes a’calling

Will you carry me far, far awy?

                         - Ava Darling

Ava-Ism #4



Poem (Illustrated) - It's Better

It’s Better

It’s better to be in

Than standing at the door

It’s better to be in

Than hungerin’ for more

It’s better to be in

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to be in

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to forgive

Than holding on a grudge

It’s better to forgive

Than refusing to budge

It’s better to forgive

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to forgive

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to laugh

Than wearing a frown

It’s better to laugh

Than always looking down

It’s better to laugh

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to laugh

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to love

Than ignoring its call

It’s better to love

Than refusing to fall

It’s better to love

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to love

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to try

Than sitting on your hands

It’s better to try

Than avoiding life’s demands

It’s better to try

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to try

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to sing

Than cursing with your words

It’s better to sing

Than repeating what you heard

It’s better to sing

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to sing

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to give

Than clinging on to things

It’s better to give

Than hoarding diamond rings

It’s better to give

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to give

Of this there is no doubt.

It’s better to fly

Than walking on the ground

It’s better to fly

Than to the earth be bound

It’s better to fly

That way you’re not left out

It’s better to fly

Of this there is no doubt.

                   -  Ava Darling



Haiku (Illustrated) - Aha!



Haiku (Illustrated) - 2012