It’s show time here in Brisbane… one of my favourite times of year. So to celebrate, here’s a new haiku capturing a little bit of the Ekka experience.
into the lights
of the ferris wheel
the smell of cow shit
It’s show time here in Brisbane… one of my favourite times of year. So to celebrate, here’s a new haiku capturing a little bit of the Ekka experience.
into the lights
of the ferris wheel
the smell of cow shit
Filed under poetry
Filed under poetry
Into the blue of August
a balloon has left
without saying goodbye.
Boys and girls
throw up their arms
as the roller-coaster crests.
Such a lonely dialogue.
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The 10 days of the Ekka produced some moments that will remain etched in memory…
One such moment was when this gentleman approached the stage just as we were about to kick off and asked us if we were going to play some rock’n’roll. Sheish aptly replied, I think what we do is rock’n’roll. The gentleman smiled, shook his hand and said ‘great, my name is Roy Lynes, I was the original keyboard player for Status Quo. You may have heard of them.’ We nearly fell over!
And Michael O’Neill who came along to see us everyday and joined us many times on stage for a poem, never failed to surprise us at the end of each gig with a new drawing. At the end of the 10 days he presented Sheish and I with a poster, collecting many of the drawings and photos he had taken. Here’s one of them.
No wonder I love the Ekka! ‘Til next year…
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After ten red daybreaks
and evenings of swirling lights
I turn my poems into breath
and scatter them
for the birds to continue
their hushed rise and fall.
Taking no notice
I step in a fresh cow turd
so glad you are hear to
share this joy
how its smell sweetens
the city.
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As you take
your first breath
the sky is empty of clouds.
There are only seconds
in your heart
but so much wisdom.
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Fireworks blooming over Machinery Hill
thrill rides looming behind me
and in between
a thousand silly heads.
Maybe tomorrow the sky will come out.
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Today is the last day of The Ekka for 2010. Sheish and I played our last show yesterday afternoon and we went off with a bang… the crowd responding with whoops and hollers and people coming to the front of stage at the end of the set to talk and thank us for our performance. This is what I love most about The Ekka… the generosity and kindness it brings out in the human spirit. It really does widen the smile on everyone’s face!
So with a little sadness in this weary heart (8 gigs in a row + a stint drumming for Sheish Money’s band last night at The Step Inn is seriously tiring), I post these pics captured at the 2010 Ekka by Cindy Keong and a few of the haiku she was responding to. Ah yes… another project emerges, so keep your eyes peeled for more news about this later in the year.
people’s day
the whirling lights
of thrill rides
dappled sky
the appaloosa’s
perfect run
showtime
watching the fireworks
in people’s eyes
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Here in Brisbane, it’s ‘People’s Day’ at The Ekka. I am just about to pack my bags and head off to take in all the tastes, sounds, scents and sights of the show… and remember, if you are at The Ekka today, come along and see us at 5pm on The Community Stage.
Here’s a few haiku to start your morning and bring a little of The Ekka into your day.
dodgem cars
waiting for the sparks
to fly
grand parade
the lowing of cattle
drowns in itself
pink nose of the bull bristled by our scent
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