One of the biggest takeaways for me from our Philippines trip was finding some solid rhythms and disciplines. Particularly in the second month which we had put aside to write. Val found us a stunning spot in Honda Bay on Palawan Island and we moved in for a month. For me the main focus was on finishing the race book i had started a few years ago that had just been busied away into [...]
If the variety and chaos and lack of aggression of the Traffic in the Philippines is the first thing that hits you as it did me, because of how in your face it is, the Hospitality and Generosity of the Filipino people will hit you in your heart. i have always found it quite a hard piece to navigate when time after time in my life it has been the poor who have consistently [...]
Eye glued to a box in the most beautiful setting on earth Hands nailed to a stick as you move to ensure the light is just right Finger stuck to record a historic moment you missed And will not likely watch again, for the first time The sun goes down and all you're left with are 1's and 0's And the memory of what might have been If only you'd paid it any sort [...]
An Open letter to the South African Mens' Proteas Cricket team... Hi there, Yes, it's me again. Brett "Fish" aka Scuba Steve [That's right, i'm the guy who attended a cricket test at Newlands wearing full scuba gear during a rain-affected test and was dubbed "Scuba Steve" by Pommie Mbangwa on the tv] and if you can't tell i'm a huge fan. Still not sure? Well it was also [...]
Beneath my Doubt lies the missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle Just about out of reach. Where Certainty used to rest, There now stands a rocking chair That patiently listens to my stuttering questions Before nodding in an almost hypnotic refrain. Hanging behind my fears are the What ifs All tangled up as one with the What if nots A wretched knot of impossibilities and probabilities Each masquerading as the other. I can just [...]
A reflection from our time spent in the Philippines regarding traffic... My wife tbV [the beautiful Val] and i have just returned from a two-month trip to the Philippines which was pretty amazing. If you're interested in how that came about, you can read some of the story over here. i am hoping, however, to share a few thoughts and reflections from our time there and hopefully in not-too-long pieces that are easy to [...]
There's a hole in my soul Where you used to fit so snugly And now it's all I can do to Stop all the little pieces From pouring out on to the ground = = = = = = = = = = [For another poem, titled 'The Cabin', click here]
As i walked along the pebbly beach I came upon a tiny fish Lying on the sand next to a stream It wasn't very large at all Just a tiny little thing As I watched, it jumped And bounced three times across the water Before settling once more upon the river bank Just lying there A fish out of water "Get into the water," I thought in my head To the fish, but not [...]
As I awoke from my sleep in the middle of the night I found myself being led by a stranger Down the longest of passageways With doors on either side of us We walked silently on. After what seemed like an hour She stopped us And gestured towards the nearest door handle Inviting me to step inside. I cautiously opened the door And was instantly transported To a moment I had hoped never to [...]
It felt like I had been standing there for an hour Paused Holding my hand open Standing still, almost statue-like For what seemed like an eternity But, if truth be told, It had more likely only been but a handful of seconds. Eventually the lively bee Buzzed around me one last time Before settling very casually into my palm… FLASH! In an instant, everything changed. And my inner eyes were thrust open To a [...]
