ROGER SMITH ‐ THE SINGAPORE POEMS
THE WIND BEFORE THE RAINS
The Xmas Shell
Above the bureau radiant your orange pink lips opening to translucent orange and tales of Kenyan times when the rule of the Raj a white flex to the motherland destroyed your smooth corrugations In Papua we buried the likes of you letting the ants devour your innards disinterring your carcass to let it shine once more varnished by the caress of the sea Roger Smith August 2009
On Looking Down
On looking down at hands that belonged to my grandfather The wrinkling skin and folds with street map complexity in a time, at a time six months from the burial of innocence and invincibility Is this body the one that traps the spirit alive, refreshed, contained a mind that notes the falls and thinning friends of time and place On looking up at best for thirty years folding my thoughts within the sandwich of opportunity on the tablecloth of time
Roger Smith February 2004
I've been assaulted by food
I've been assaulted by food from health once decidedly rude all thanks due to pisang and kueh keuh and like my stomach's distended and I'd fall off a bike I've been assaulted by food I've been seduced by good food from morning to night it's the mood with promise of bau that just won't go away and a nagging suspicion that one day I'll pay I've been seduced by good food I have been poisoned by food laid low to a bug tough and crude Was it the curry or chili or spice? or coconut left in the sun just a thrice? to be able to rise from my bed would be nice I have been poisoned by food I will rise from my sick bed again stride forth through the food stalls and then probably settle for pure juice, yoghurt and fruit with lashing of chocolate and thick cream to boot I've been assaulted by food
Roger Smith February 2007
The Wind Before The Rains
The wind before the rains coolly announcing
the passing of sun
anticipation that the still
will be broken
precipitation that thrills the soul with its cleansing
Rain without the winds
that I remember still from lives before
and passing time
for dreaming
Roger Smith January 2007
Epiha Road
Black mussels spitting their juice on corrugated iron over the slow fire of time
Straight from the shell plump pink with tiny crabs entombed
Blackberries picked on the dusty road rutted sand rocking grey of the Morris laden down
Black sand of the wild beach slow cooling and a Taranaki sky bare reefs exposed to a quarter moon Black armbands now for memories of picnic blankets rusty hooks and seaweed popping slow to burn, slow to burn Roger Smith January 2003
Black Sands
And so he said shall I upon a summers night in Waitara town walk upon the black sands
cool to the toe shuffling underneath to feel the tuatua burrowing away from the advancing tide
bleached white ewe skulls emerging above high water mark brought down by rivers flow scattered amongst driftwood their upward arms towards a menacing sky
Roger Smith March 2009
Singapore Haiku
Roger Smith July 2008
I Walk Alone
I often walk alone through the black sands of memory fleet footed past twisted driftwood of thoughts on a fast running tide
Jagging at the blood shoot and the sound of steam whistles mutton on the chain and then again silver finned catches chasing whitebait over the painted pole
Faintly now the sound of wild West Coat surf sublime receding from place and time
Far away and further still from Egmont's cone cold winds upon the breath of Tasman storms
Roger Smith December 2007
Moth Mortis
The moth that died in the library withered and frail from a life full of freedom and flight beyond the pale moon in the tropical night
Spread thin on the carpet of hope rough textured dreams towards the light
Roger Smith January 2007
The Girl With Sad Eyes
The small girl with sad eyes watching the fleet winged clouds pink bag and mangy teddy tucked behind Empty thoughts on a vacant lot and a frayed umbrella propping up her confidence Roger Smith 2008