Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Italian and Then Some

This is my response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt of 21 June 2018  —  Italian.

Some of you may know that I have recently joined a Bush Poetry group.  As this month’s theme for my Group is “Italian” and as I’ve only so much time, I thought “Italian” would make a good Ragtag Daily Prompt as well (it’s my day to be the Prompter).  For those interested in contributing their own post on the Italian theme, please click the hyperlink above for instructions on how to take part.

Bush poetry is a style of poetry that depicts the life, character and scenery of Australia, employing a straightforward rhyme structure. It uses language that is colourful, colloquial and idiomatically Australian.  Well, I’m new to bush poetry or any poetry, so I found it difficult to write a poem in that style, consistent with the theme, but here is my attempt.  My poem (below), “Italian and Then Some”, is about the experience of Italian migrants in Australia under the White Australia Policy.  Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Help Restore Sight

This is my response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt of 15 June 2018 —  Cataract.

Dear Readers, if you would like to participate in the Ragtag Daily Prompt, just click on the hyperlink above and ‘Follow’ the Ragtag Community.  A new prompt comes out daily.  Anyone can participate.  It’s fun.  Be creative with words, photos or both.  

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw today’s prompt – cataract – was the Fred Hollows Foundation.  Before his death, Australian Ophthalmologist, Fred Hollows, set up a Foundation to continue his work to restore the sight of indigenous Australians and less fortunate people in developing countries, who suffer from eye disease (such as cataracts, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy).  These eye diseases are completely avoidable but without treatment, they will lead to blindness.     Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

And Then There Were Two

Trigger Warning – this post contains content that may distress some readers.

This was not the post I was going to write for the Ragtag Daily Prompt – Purple.  As I chose today’s RDP, I had a bit of a heads-up, but plans change.  This post is about love, loss, grieving and wee birds.  It’s not really about purple but there is one small, important connection to the Prompt word.  Coincidentally, this post also fits the Word of the Day – Mellifluous. Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

I Can See Clearly Now

This is my response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt word  — Insight.

When I first learned of today’s prompt word, I stumbled around in the dark for a while, cursed a bit, thought I had an idea but wasn’t sure; thought I had better do a quick internet search just to reassure myself, and then BINGO!  It came to me. Read more

Posted on by Reflections of an Untidy Mind

What a Difference A Date Makes

Australian flag
Australian Flag (source – Australian Parliament House website)

It is Australia Day so I had better say something.  If you don’t already know, there has been much debate in the Australian community about whether Australia Day should continue to be held on January 26.  On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip sailed into Sydney Cove to establish a penal colony for the British Empire. Read more