This my passion,

Steak and kidney pie,

I don’t like to ration 

It, don’t ask me why.

I know that there

Are more than a few

Who think me a mad March hare,

‘Cause it’s a filthy stew.

But I just adore

The smell and the taste

So give me some more,

Too little’s a waste.

My wife doesn’t like offal,

She still makes this somehow,

And just so it’s not awful,

The lid has s pic of a cow!

© Text / Image Caro Ness 2016 

I really do adore this dish,

Eating it often’s  a fervent wish.

Others will think it a filthy stew,

But when I eat it contentment accrues.

It has to be pastry,

It can’t be a pud,
‘Cause pastry is gorgeous,

But suet’s no good!
My wife hates it but made it somehow,

And adorned the top with a pastry cow¡

© Text / Image Caro Ness 2016

Garners Beach,

North Queensland.

A long stretch of faultless sand

Stretched away from me.

Strong winds had torn

A tree,

Roots and all,

From it’s shallow home,

And it lay,

Where it fell,

At the water’s edge. 

It was that twilight 

Witching hour,

Neither day nor night,

When the world inked itself

In violet and crushed blackberry,

But for the seam of light

That was the setting sun…

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Image:  Guy Verkroost Photography: Garner’s Beach, North Queensland  

I would like to thank James Balston for allowing me to use his beautiful photo as inspiration

It was one of those 
Finely wrought park benches.

Elegant

Floral

Swing-boat shaped.

You said you wanted to talk.

I had anticipated all kinds

Of lovely things,

Not that you were saying goodbye.

I guess you chose

To break up with me there,

Because it was so impersonal.

Your words tripped out 

In a concentrated,

Venemous,

Well-rehearsed rush.

You didn’t draw breath,

In case I responded,

You just said your piece,

Kissed me chastely

On the cheek,

Turned on your heel,

And walked away.

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Image: James Balston, Greenwich Park 

A slim smile of a moon

In the sky

As the sun sets

On a balmy evening

Of apricot

 Violet

 Purple

Indigo

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Image: elana-dienhart.tumblr.com

The sun set

In a saffron sky

And I stood

Gazing out to sea

An offshore breeze

Ruffled the water 

And the gulls

Wheeled and turned

Looking for food

And vocalising frustration when 

They could not find any

© Text Caro Ness 2016 

Image us.eva.vn

A Sea Pen is antype of coral. It resembles a quill.

It is also mistaken for feathers, whips or translucent worms. 

Sea Pens are delicate marine animals.

They have hard, internal skeletons.

They are diverse; a few of them can glow in the dark. 

Most sea pens grow to between 5 centimetres and 2 metres high. 

A single sea pen like all coral can be viewed as a colony….

…or as an individual with many mouths.

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Image: Indulgy.com  

I sometimes hate my telephone:

 Those calls from someone quite unknown,

Who says that you’ve been in a crash,

And now wants some or all your cash,

To pay for legal representation,

For some figment of their imagination.

Or  those charities who make me homicidal, 

…They want more money because they’re idle,

And can’t be arsed to find a new  donor or two,

From whom some money they can screw!

Or why not change the power firm,

Who supplies the gas that keeps me warm.

I can save £s off my current bills you know,

…my temperature rises, frustrations grow!

And those pretending to be a bank,

If I lose everything, I’ve them to thank!

© Text Caro Ness 2016

Image: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk

This is our beautiful wedding day

When nothing but joy and love held sway.

Full of friends and family,

There to see you marry me.

I love you more with every minute,

Because my heart and soul are in it.

You’re my touchstone, you’re my rock,

Today, my darling, I’m taking stock,

Of how we two come alive together,

There is no storm we cannot weather.

So darling, today, on our anniversary,

This day will be full of just you and me.

 © Text / Image Caro Ness 2016 

A cup of coffee starts my day,

I can’t begin it another way,

Espresso, latte, capuccino, ice,

Any or all the above is nice.

Bring me one in an insulated pot,

I want to drink it stinking hot.

© Text / Image Caro Ness 2016