From The Author

Giacomo Leopardi inspired me to write this Book on 'Sunset Love'. He was inspired by a young woman across the street from him when h...

My warehouse home

In this warehouse the poetry will flow like a fast flowing stream down the mountain. For it is here, that I shall create and produce with so much of my life experiences at my finger tips! So much material that I have not lost or given up on, so many personal memories of periods or chapters of my life. Such a source of details of times past, of day activities and years of joy pursuing my heart's desires, dedicated to Italian in particular, history and Languages, not really knowing why but knowing this direction for the benefit of others and my happiness.

My Dream Factory

So much comes back to me as memories grow and living another chapter of my life. This is Christmas 2018, a time of joy and new connections, but somehow with the past present in every single day. Is this the third age? When people around you try to find meaning in their life, in the company that they keep? Why is it that I am contended in this warehouse where my world resides amongst all these books and so much, much more? Is it because every day I have? a place where I come to dream and then turn these into reality? In a very small way, of course!

A Mamma

Sono gia' passati 24 anni da quando tu ci hai lasciato. Pero' le tue domeniche a casa, a Foley Street, con tutti noi a tavola: ricordi indimenticabili. Anche per i miei bambini e quelli delle mie sorelle. Tu, Mamma, forte e decisiva avevi anche il dono di capire che ognuno puo' essere libero, pero' vicino a te, dovevano fare i bravi e comportarsi bene. Se no, facevi sentire la tua voce che filtrava direttamente su tutti noi: i tuoi figli. Per me era come se tu avessi uno speciale riguardo, forse perche' ero l'unico maschio con quattro sorelle... ed un papa' lontano per tanti anni. E poi sono andato a Moliterno a studiare! Una buona decisione... riconoscevi che un giorno, forse, ti avrei scritto qualche poesia. Adesso e' Natale e tu ci guardi da lassu'... Chissa' se anche la' festeggiate quel Bambino nella Stalla. Ora si trova in Paradiso con voi... ed e' Il Signore! E mi domando: si puo' avere la Democrazia in Paradiso? Chi comanda? Forse il Buon Dio chiude un occhio e vi fa fare quel che volete... ma proprio come te Mamma come facevi con noi. Forse infine ognuno era libero di andarsene o restare con te! Forse anche il Paradiso e' cosi': chi sta vicino a Dio e chi si trova un angolo del cielo dove abitare liberamente. Chissa'... ma adesso e' Natale. Auguri a tutti di la' e qua!

Finding friends

So now you are on your own... the love of your life is gone. She won't come back... but she's always there in spirit! What will I do? Keep to myself? Or go out into the world and find a friend or friends... too late to commit yourself to another... time to be free! Yet companionship is necessary. Too old or too young: is this the way you feel? Will you go out finding friends? Maybe this is the answer moving forward... and the memories? The memories are always there: they don't go away... like history! A new chapter unfolds now. Maybe this is my Christmas present and for the New Year ahead!

Is your muse calling you?

Yes, because it's Christmas and this past year is special. So many changes, twists and turns: a welcome holiday after so much on my plate for so long! Above all else, peace of mind and heart, a more relaxed view of the world, believing in myself more and finding time to overcome all obstacles in my way. It's time to begin a new chapter, perhaps many new chapters, to make those long waited books of memories, of new ideas. And love? Where is love? Is it around the corner or whilst I once had will suffice? Maybe I will find a grown up love by the sea. To swim in clear waters and not have to worry about jelly fish and the likes... to just enjoy company as the waves come sheepishly towards us... just you and me, as our toes touch... and it's electricity!

A Silvana

All'Abruzzo Club devo il mio nuovo amore per grazia di un invito inaspettato ed incontro fortunato. Mi sei subito apparsa anima gemella, gioiosa e bella. Ed io son rimasto fulminato come non spesso faccio con chi mi sento ad agio! Vai, non mi fare aspettare con il tuo spirito in guardia! Lascia crescere il germoglio dell'amore che il tempo dona a chi lo veramente vuole. Forse al Mare chiediamo l'aiuto per far nascere quel qualcosa in piu' che la vita offre a chi speranza non ha piu'. ....................................... Quel giorno quando il sole illuminava la spiaggia, il mare e la gente con i suoi raggi, mi sono preso anch'io una bella bruciatura sulla pelle. Non sapevo che avevo preso una tal cotta finquando la sera tardi l'aloa vera mi ha salvato! E poi di nuovo con i miei pensieri riflettevo sulla bella giornata e compagnia, ho pensato alle nuove avventure che io avrei poi creato con la mia nuova poesia del 'Pescecane e Delfino in rotta' per nuove attivita' e tanto buonumore. Ed ecco che comincia l'avventura li' in quel mondo mare dove viveva un Pescecane solitario, indaffarato con tutte le sue cose, osservare con interesse quella bella Delfino che si godeva ogni giorno quell'ambiente incantato vicino a quell'angolo di mare dove le colline lo circondano. Li' i giorni passano gioiosi a nuotare o sulla spiaggia a camminare. E non solo... poi c'e' il villaggio marino dei tanti Pesci locali che hanno anche loro deciso di guizzare di qua e di la'. ............................. Continuera' l'avventura? Chissa' dove ci portera'! Sara' breve o lunga? Chi lo sa?

A full Rainbow

Whilst walking my steps in Denman Street tonight, I saw a full rainbow in the sky, as it was barely dark. The drizzle from the grey sky hit my head as if to say that I had found a pot of love at each of the two ends of that half full circle of rainbow! How can it be that once again I find myself reflecting on Life's journey and how the twists and turns operate... Losing my previous Life's love of forty-three years and then staying behind to fight for my life, my new chapters, my new everything within and out! The rainbow tonight seemed to envelop my being and say: love is there for you, find it. Cover your new tracks with hope and let the days, each day, be like a new dawn. To have and to hold in a tight embrace. Maybe it's you I am looking for!

A friend with benefits

Right now I could do with a hug or two from you! How good is it when a friend? feels the same... it's a gift that is shared and it benefits both in the same way! Being close with a friend can be a wonderful way to have many activities together: travelling, games, shared experiences but also just plainly having dinner together or a walk in the park or on the beach by the sea. Sharing and caring makes companionship grow... and yet you remain you with all that you want to do. A friend with benefits creates a special bond and has the advantage of giving both the freedom to be themselves!

You: my inspiration

Why be so embarrassed when you are the source of so much joy and pleasure? In my solitary world, there is room for such company, as my poetry. But she too, as a friend, has need of companionship and inspiration. Such a situation offers happiness and the opportunity to travel together on so many varied paths of our journeys on road, rail and on that wonderful place in which the fish in the sea live, play and share moments of activity, social interaction and rest. And if this latter is in the shade of a willow tree, on a bed of green grass with petals of violets and daisies, then we can invite the great painters of our time to capture this idyllic period when we can leave the old year 2018 and welcome the new one 2019, with open arms, caresses and the biggest hugs that we can muster. The only thing left to say for a good ending is to mutually say: ‘I love you.' Just like inspiration is to poetry.

The New Year 2019

It was truly a spectacular event from my vantage point there overlooking the Yarra River near Princes Bridge, across Flinders Street station... and the people. the fireworks, after a long wait, allowed me to reflect on 2018. Now that year is part of history. What happened will be a source of much thinking as I revisit the developments of my life's journey. Now I am on my own and needing companionship, yet enjoying my new found freedom. How strange is this twist and turn! So 2019 was welcomed amidst a huge crowd and cheers of pure joy and community spirit. The happy banter of people using their phones, cameras, video recorders and tablets. The sheer diversity of ethnicity and cultural make up in dress sense showed what a truly multicultural city we truly have developed over the years. Such a show of a caring and peaceful population alongside our security and events personnel created in me a sense of pride and a feeling of peace. So I looked forward to cheer the 2019 year with other people, whom I did not know, close to me. Yet the pure excitement of our mutual expectation to be a part of a great night was there in between two years: the old one with a goodbye and the new one with so much hope and good wishes for family, friends and all in our city, state, nation and all of humanity in the world and, why not, the universe! To top it all up, in the end on our way home, we were stuck on Princes Bridge with a crawl pace in a well behaved and patient crowd in the well organized walking path that worked to perfection. After we succeeded in exiting this very packed mass of people, we met up with our three lady friends and enjoyed further good wishes for a Happy new Year 2019! A short time together that will last forever in my musings to come! Felice Anno Nuovo

Our marathon

Misunderstandings will occur between you and me. Distance, you know, makes hearts grow fonder. And the heart is strong but fragile at the same time. So, when it counts and distance is put back in its own place, joy, peace and harmony will come in together just like the Three Wise Kings from the east! Their invitation was refused by La Befana who chased them soon after to no avail. Now she brings those gifts to all children because she missed out in giving these herself personally to little Baby Jesus in His cradle. Our La Befana gifts are plentiful in those socks hanging in the house ready to celebrate the end of another Christmas Season. Dopo La Befana e L'Epifania tutte le Feste vanno via... Soon the days will be more real and love can grow more naturally. Who knows how this new time will be between you and me?! Tell me to keep myself 'moderato' so that I will be able to face our upcoming marathon! Love you.

You take over my life

When two people meet, they don't know how their life may change. The more they chat and get to know each other, the less there is to say. There comes a time in this journey when words alone are not enough. Activities, fun and games, outings must enter into the equation... and if this is successful, a true friendship is created. Friendship, companionship, love need the physical experience of doing things together. Then the online relationship is more real. So it is true that you and me "take over some of our individual life time to give to the other!" Any doubt about this reality must be set aside if we truly want each other in the mix of our individual commitments. The key to all this, as a wise man once said, is :'moderato'!

Riprendiamo... nuovo giorno

Ogni giorno ci porta nuove speranze se lasci indietro il giorno prima, se non appesantisci l'adesso. Un semplice sms o frase sul iPhone ci riporta di nuovo insieme come prima. Essere lontano l'uno dall'altra o viceversa causa problemi di separazione. La mancanza fisica si fa sentire padrona con assoluta crudelta', domina ogni momento del giorno, si accanisce contro l'innamorato! Succede questo anche all'innamorata? Chi lo sa? Forse ci vuole una confessione reciproca per farci capire quanto amore veramente e' presente. Chissa' se un giorno... gia' lo so, me l'hai detto... ci vediamo la'! Il cuore gia' palpita al pensiero di una camminata insieme su quel sentiero dove tutti vanno a fare esercizi ed o essere in compagnia. Si', da li' comincera' la maratona. Sara' la prima, ma non di certo l'ultima. Tu lo sai che io lo so, ed io so che tu lo sai.

La Befana 2019

As the twelve days of Christmas come to an end, the Three Wise Kings from the East, on their way, to visit Baby Jesus, where the Comet led them, stopped whilst an old housewife was sweeping and putting order to her cottage. After her act of kindness by giving the parched travelers drinks and refreshments, the Three Men, dressed in Royal costumes, told her that a New Celestial Baby King was born on Earth and would she come with them to offer the New Born King gifts and their respect. The old kind housewife refused saying that she was too busy to go. The Three Wise Kings from the East left... but soon after the kind old housewife gathered appropriate gifts and ran after the Three Travellers, trying to catch up with them, but to no avail. At that very moment, Baby Jesus from his Cradle in a Manger in a poor shepherd hut, blessed the old housewife and she became La Befana... and Jesus gave her the ability to travel across all the earth, in that Starry Sky, on her broomstick and give gifts to all children to celebrate His Arrival. La Befana's gifts multiply as she travels far and wide on the night between the 5th and 6th of January each year. With the help of Mums, Dads, and All who love children, presents are put in colourful socks in their home as La Befana sweeps through the air and can only stop quickly because she is so busy! Tradition says that La Befana only gives gifts to good children and pieces of coal to naughty bad children. Guess what? La Befana this year visited me. I am an adult. She said: I am giving you the Gift of Love. Tell the World that I recognize that even naughty children should receive my gifts, since they probably need them even more than the children who are naturally blessed with a nicer disposition. Tell the world that from now on coal should remain in the ground since the world now has the Sun, Wind and the Oceans to provide the energy that humans need. Remember La Befana of 2019, when you must rewrite my story in the Land of the First People where the Rainbow Serpent too and all the Ancient Spirits once lived under the Southern Cross. La Befana invites All People to end the Festive season by giving gifts inside small or large colourful socks to honour the Little Baby in the Cradle. Include a Boomerang Gift for children as a sign of Love that comes back. All the Universe in Heaven and Earth are now at Peace because the Epiphany has arrived, La Befana has travelled in all corners of the Globe and, where it is cold, they light up a big bonfire to announce the end of the Christmas Season. The same happens in the waters and Lands under the Southern Cross. People go to the beach and even Antarctica celebrates Christmas by giving its varied fish, birds and animals days of respite from icy cold conditions. As the Epiphany marks the end of this festive period, Baby Jesus, together with His Mum and Dad, return to Bethlehem, La Befana too goes back to mind her own home for another year. She is already worrying about the presents that she will bring to all children on Earth next year when we will celebrate the birthday of a Holy, smiling, radiant Baby in his poor location in a stable, surrounded by Love from the Universe and on Earth by people with goodwill. Love too can grow from very unusual places, whether comfortable or not. What counts is the sentiment of Care between people and among all nations on Earth. Glory be in Excelsis Dei!

Joy

How can it be that Joy in my heart has come to me! So suddenly that I am surprised at its so great intensity! Just like Love can enter our being reflecting on the message of Christmas... and the world is a better place. So it is that Joy can do the same for you and me when the right person, companion, friend, lover becomes such a welcome reality. That feeling of being on your own as you grow older and the sun sets over the sea in melancholy. You are no longer alone and feel that somehow the Universe has conjured in your favour. Our favour because love for each other, care for every day, and such a deeper friendship can exist... They are here now! What Joy!

Joy in my heart

When I see you and your smiling eyes my heart rejoices and I surrender all that feeling of being alone... to continue against the tides and waves of life. These lately seemed to have approached me negatively. Now that you are here, the days somehow seem more friendly. The sun rises at a different beat for me. Such gifts I receive when your smile or very perceptive comments and phrases return to me, when on my own, just like the waves of the sea reach the sandy shores of our favourite portion of coastline. That walk on the beach, sharing ideas about the meaning of our existence, the strength that we must have to continue to live a life without a partner who died suddenly or one who fell sick over time... and our worlds were turned upside down for you and me. Oh Silvana, you are the ray of sunshine that I needed in my life... I cannot understand how this came to be! It remains a mystery

The fruits of Friendship

When you again meet a companion, someone so special who brings new hope for a future of life's limited tenure, then somehow peace in your heart comes to rest as each day unfolds. We are no longer alone to face our daily reality... we know that there will be another walk on the beach or in a park, or an outing to the city or travel or just having a dinner for two. What wonderful company we are for each other! It cannot be explained how such a force of nature came to our shores... but it did arrive! So now is the time to rejoice, to wonder at the mystery of life that closes doors and opens others... New confidence and positive thoughts return like unexpected gifts! Oh how grateful I am for these daily dreams for new adventures! Yes, on the horizon we can see the sun that rises over many new lands where we 'll choose to go. Maybe we should consider that trip to Italy or Greece... elsewhere?

The future is a minefield

The future is the carrot that dangles in the present. But, we know, that it is also a mine field full of surprises, whether we are careful or not. However we can all learn to study this wonderful field of ours by identifying where the mines are located and slowly removed. Our field is then clear and we can enjoy the fruits of a field that is safe and where we can grow together whatever our hearts desire and truly want. But once the mines are removed there are no more challenges. We become more self assured and contended. This is the time to watch even more carefully! In that field now there is only you and me... we cannot remain idle... We must work this field of joy, happiness and satisfaction by creating real harmony of purpose. Are we ready for this? Will we allow this to happen without putting barriers, at least not permanently... for a while, yes...those barriers are good. They do protect certain parts of our field. I am ready for the challenge... and conscious that in life, there is always give and take. Are you also ready? Let us together find out and always try to keep it 'light and breezy'!

The challenges of togetherness

When we are free and operate on our own in our own world, the challenges of togetherness with someone else remain a goal! Why is this so? Because we humans, are generally social beings, but then we also want to choose our journey through life as we wish. So the company we keep keeps us going ahead positively or negatively, depending on the harmony and fun we are having together when we meet. How does this happen? Is it easy to do and maintain? Do we really want to proceed? So many questions we can ask ourselves. Perhaps the answer is always to swim together in the deep but often come up for fresh air, preferably choosing 'light and breezy' moments where the sound of laughter, positive activities, creativity, spirituality gathers together in unison. Easy to say and not so hard to do... if we want to!

Detachment

It's not our fault to love someone too strong and in whatever we do! We need to learn 'detachment' so that we don't get hurt easily. Our bolts of lightning come to us from time to time and take over our spirited soul. After the initial period of getting to know, then the mines in our field begin to show! Removing each one is a delicate operation ... and it all takes time. Who knows what tomorrow brings? It's not easy to be friends and love! It takes a great deal of detachment and swim through the waves of time. Why so much pain in our heart with all our good intentions to often stay apart? Yes, that is the way it has to be, like a bunch of red roses with some thorns. It is, after all, the next stage of lives lived with love and family. Now it's the time to rejoice in the moment and keep everything with lock and key! Time is on our side to open our doors and rejoice in each other's company, regardless of whenever it can be! Lucky for us with our new technology!

Connecting

Connecting instantly is such company. Yet it can be a dragon with wings for it allows flight of thought to be a virtual immediate arrival at our destination and there we stop, chat, explore, enjoy, laugh and sometimes remain silent. We have so much to do and this ability is like an Achille's heel. Keeping it all under control is truly difficult when innocently we press the button and connect immediately! Are you alone to talk? Can you? Do you want to give some of your valuable time? You know it's ok when it's ok... and sometime, for whatever reason, it's not! And this can be a source of irritation... as times slips through our fingers because time is taken away from other tasks, obligations, activities and fun in our separate worlds that cannot come together... because it is what it is... The only remedy is to be happy for the other, you or me, and let it be!

The effects of 'detachment'

Something came inside me as a result of too much passion because distance and separation highlights what I feel for you! Managing an intense feeling of love, wanting to have this company, yet only when it suits and is possible... Too many commitments from previous plans, hard work and the reached goals make it very hard for us to be in unison and as together as we would like... Detachments is necessary on wise heads who have done it all before with love, with family, children and friends for company... Over the years we learn detachment, not allowing other loves to enter our sub-conscious. So we stop these feelings at our door and learn about detachment and rejection of what could have been. But now we are free to choose. We both realize that detachment safeguards our liberty. The best way forward is to remain friends and companions and share days, moments of great intensity and then go on our individual way to do what we must do! Love can grow in this stop, start, stop way. Our journey forward is in the same direction as we learn to come to our wagon, travel together and stop at some station, location and with others as we leave, knowing our return to continue together on our own very individual journey towards the same destination... zigzagging through time in the misty realm of the future. We shall find each other every time, for love conquers all and makes us tall!

Getting to know you

When I met you I knew immediately that I wanted to get to know you. I did... because you too wanted the same even if, at first, you didn't plan to do this. So, how did it happen? How long does it take for two people to really develop a beautiful friendship, based on love, respect, mutual interests, similar background and prior acquaintance in our younger days? It didn't happen then. We both went our own way. Then, after successful and lasting marriages, death knocked at our doors and our mutual partners were no more! We both have done what probably many would not do: re-establish ourselves in our own right, taking individual responsibility for the direction in life that we wanted to proceed with, not fully knowing the result that such decisions and actions would lead us to. What effect have these had on those around us? Did we keep it altogether? Yes, because today we are both independent and in our own domains. And then we met... like a lightening bolt out of the blue! This probably happened to us when our life's rainbow began to form and here we found a pot of Love. Not gold as the saying goes, but love, a strong and lasting love, to form our family with our mutual chosen partners. Now we are looking at the other end of this rainbow that crowns us with its majestic half circle over our heads and protects us. This rainbow is in the Land of the Rainbow Serpent: it envelops us under its mystical halo and brings wisdom, joy and love. All we want now is to live knowing now that Time is both and enemy and a friend. For each time that we spent time together is a bonus. Let it be so as we move forward under our very own rainbow of love, companionship and friendship. I am sure that we are both blessed and grateful to the Universe, life's departed partners and to the Almighty. We say 'thank you' for this joy in our heart, this other pot of love that we found in our life.

Trust

Soon we will be there with our lasting forming friendship. We do need to have unconditionally trust in each other for the journey ahead. This journey is like that of a pilgrimage as we are going towards the Goddess of Love sanctuary and we did not know where we would find it. Then one day we saw clearly that a new journey was in front of us. So we began to walk together towards our destination and sometimes, often enough, our old life path continued as before. But this journey of ours will impact on the other and strengthen our knowledge of true independence. Not neglecting that friendship, companionship and love are the three Wise Kings coming to us under our Southern Cross star!

Exchanging gifts

How good is this? Me having your gnocchi that you'll make for me! Sharing Rochet or Baci chocolates with a drink or two... for two! Have you read this book? Will you listen to my poetry? I love reading... so why not! What about this Italian language book? Ok, I don't mind reading it... Did you finish your work on the house? Are your family and friends coming for the holidays? Plenty to do, I say! And you? How good is my paradise? Well. very good, I see... Mine is of a different kind: a paradise in my warehouse full of books and all else! Two different worlds and life choices made as hope for the future. Choices, choices and life goes on. And thus spake Time!

Two lonely stars

We were both looking at the sky from different places and it was night. We texted: 'how are you doing?'. We realized we were wondering whether those two lonely stars of the Cosmos would ever touch each other! How could they possibly do that? Each star was lonely and reasonably happy in their part of the Universe. But wait! There is movement out there... We noticed that these two lonely stars were throwing rays of acknowledgement to each other! That's how those two stars became friends... and now, at night, before going to bed, each star looks for the other. Distance is no problem at all, especially if you can text or video call!

Cuddly feeling

As each day unfolds, I think of you. I don't know why, but it's true! Perhaps it is that we both eject our inner darts to hit the centre of our very own being. Why so? Too much too soon? Not enough? Who knows? Togetherness has no bounds! It's that warm, cuddly feeling that comes unexpectedly as we live each day and do what we must! But then those daydreams, even at night, take over and give us respite. Love these moments. These are very special for we found each other in the nick of time. And now we are moving forward and enjoying the fulfillment of expectations! It's like making light of our burdens...and happy to do so! Togetherness, you know!

I love today

We have been waiting for today for I don't know how long! It was only a couple of weeks ago that we had another 'today'... and it seems such a long time ago! Can we have more todays as we move along? Just passing the time together, holding hands and walking, looking, enjoying the sights, sharing moments of bliss for our souls... wanting to stop time, but we know we can't! Making memories instead to strengthen friendship, care for each other's walk through life. it's not too late to begin another journey, many tracks in different paths. Shall we go there? Will we meet tomorrow? Why not anywhere... as long as you are there!

We have arrived

It was unexpected, but we made it. We have arrived at the first port of our destination. The one that gave us our first initial experience of sightseeing together. The activities followed naturally as if we had done all this before. I know that perhaps I can be a little too enthusiastic for longer than I should. That's my nature! We must reflect on this first journey that has now come to an end. We are each in our own home and that's the way it should be! We have had our initial taste of how we can travel together, see the sights and then each gives the other space. The freedom that everyone craves. The freedom that the Universe bestows on all humans, if we want it... Yes, we both do!

Amore al Tramonto

Dai amica mia che un giorno capirai che l'amor che ti do io non l'avrai mai, piu' mai! Quel giorno tu saprai che il vero paradiso in questo mondo bello lo hai cercato tu! Ed io ti ho risposto con un cuore sincero ed anche onesto e vero che non si puo' avere. Qui su questa Terra dove gli umani non hanno fiducia trovano sempre scuse per non amar davvero! Dai amica mia dimmi che mi ami e fai quel che fai per non lasciarmi piu'. Un grande amore cosi' arrivato da lontano ormai in quell'orizzonte di un sole che va giu'. Ammira amore mio questo tramonto della vita che fugge e va nella notte con la luna piena che va su! E li' ci sei tu!