Unravelling the threads.

I'm knotted up inside
knit one, purl one
As panic starts to rise
slip one, drop one
Tears betray my eyes
knit one, purl one
The child in me cries
slip one, drop one

It comes as no surprise
knit one, purl one
Fear is my disguise
slip one, drop one
My ego tries to hide
knit one, purl one
The truth of me inside
slip one, drop one

But damn it I shall try
knit one, purl one
To darn out every lie
slip one, drop one
And as my needles fly
knit one, purl one
Stitch love into the sky
slip one, drop one

Done.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2015
(Edited version)

Favourite Hymns

Make me a channel of your peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8bybL_DqY

Here I am Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c

Be still for the presence of the lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U

The Servant Song

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Richard Gillard of New Zealand
1976-77

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3vStmoMDw

Autumn Rains

Our lawn is in a state of disrepair; the grass
Lies dormant, trampled brown and dead.
For only hardy weeds can thrive out here,
And even those - our urge is to de-head.
My neighbour's patch is brilliant, emerald green.
Not for him this gasping, drought struck land.
He has the liveliest grass I've ever seen,
From founts of water hosed by liberal hand.
Not us! We wait for autumn rains to fall,
And though my fingers itch to bring back life,
I must desist, we are in Nature's thrall,
To interfere may cause some future strife.
    So in this desert moment we just wait,
    For autumn rains to come and satiate.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2014

Book Review for Mystery at Dead Man's Ridge.

Book Review : “Mystery at Deadman’s Ridge”

                            By Mandy Edwards

Reviewed by Anne Cook, Class teacher, Cromwell Primary School

Nothing much happens in the country, right? Wrong! City girl, Maggie finds that out quickly when she comes to stay with her farming cousins in the backblocks of rural Otago. Sheep rustling, the discovery of a marijuana plot, gun shots in the night , the injuring of a shepherd, a marauding hawk…..are some of the challenges that the young characters have to deal with.

“Mystery at Deadman’s Ridge” is a fast paced read that is action packed; full of twists & turns and is hard to put down. It’s a real mystery story with characters that are real. I’ve met them all in my time on the land.

Mandy Edwards draws on her vast experience of life in Rural New Zealand. Farming in Otago is portrayed accurately with subtle explanations woven in. One can easily relate to the hectic pace at shearing time, the busy woolshed and yards, and the capable, hard working  farming family eeking out a living on the land.

The young farm boys, Tom and Luke, are highly capable as farm kids are: whether it’s working dogs, mustering stock, helping in the woolshed or riding a quad bike. There is a natural ease and confidence. By the same token, Maggie, although out of her comfort zone in the country is savvy with a cell phone. It is the kids, not the adults, who solve the mystery and bring the villains to justice.

All young people, whether from a rural or urban background will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

http://amzn.to/149v0A4

Man and Wife

I lie with you beneath this willow tree;
its viridescent branches hide us here,
and listen to the shrieks of youngsters, free
unfettered by those burdens we must bear.
It’s simple here to let my troubles ease;
I sigh, relax and watch you drift away,
enchanted by the shadows of the leaves,
that dance upon your face in gleeful play.
I slow my heart to beat in time with yours,
and marvel at each gentle breath you take;
I feel the rising swell of inner shores,
And turn my back upon that lonely ache.
  For in this magic place no worldly strife,
  Can dissipate our love as man and wife.

The joy of child care

You rush at me this morn with open arms.
I gladly scoop you up and hold you close,
breathe in the heady scent of talc and soap,
a hint of milk and jam and buttered toast.

Your lips begin to tremble; Mum departs.
Another friend arrives, I crouch down low,
transform into a tiger's snarling jaws,
and watch your face. A smile begins to grow.

You stumble on the mat upon the floor, and
tears spill quickly from your full moon eyes.
Such trifling troubles yet for one so brave;
a magic kiss brings sunny cloudless skies.

You look upon the world with simple joy.
There's no pretence; nothing you must hide.
Another day of freedom to explore,
to seek, to find, to know, to be a child.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2014.

Hide and Seek

I'm coming ready or not, you call
And I scramble one last time
To find a dark, secluded spot
That I can claim as mine.

The time for hiding's over
Yet I'll play this game awhile
This time I'll let you find me
And greet you with a smile.

Come and get me, if you please
I'm ready for you now.
I know I've mucked around a bit
But no one showed me how ...

How to find you with my heart
My eyes have blinded me
It's taken me so many years
But now I truly see.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2014

A successful book launch for my children's book, Mystery at Dead Man's Ridge, by Mandy Edwards (me!) and a little taste of my poetry book, Come and Get Me ... by Amanda Edwards (also me!)  I was delighted to launch my books in Turangi, the town of my teenage childhood, where I enjoyed all kinds of outdoor experiences; kayaking the Tongariro River; tramping the Tongariro Crossing, climbing Mt Ngaruahoe, abseiling and rock climbing at Motuoapa. In this photo is my young illustrator, Amelia Hamilton, and her mother, Maree ... a great school friend of mine from Tongariro High School, in Turangi.

I have had a marvelous response from all those people who have read, Mystery at Dead Man's Ridge, adults and children alike, which gives me encouragement to perhaps extend my characters' adventures in the future. My poetry book, Come and Get Me, has also been received well; touching a chord in people's hearts, especially those who have experienced their own spiritual journeys ... and still travelling, as I am. It is wonderful to make connections with people through my stories and poems.

If you are interested in purchasing either of my books you can visit Amazon.com for my
Mystery at Dead Man's Ridge ebook; or I can send you the printed version, including all of Amelia's beautiful illustrations. ($19.95 NZ plus postage and packaging).  The poetry book can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Come-Get-Me-Amanda-Edwards/dp/131202495X or  lulu.com.

A couple of marvelous reviews for ... Come and Get Me.

Amanda's words are wonderful and clear!
by Peter McManus on April 1, 2014

I have had the great opportunity to enjoy Amanda's words in other venues and I am excited about her collection of poetry which is the type I enjoy ... clear, concise, meaningful, connective and inspiring. This will be the perfect collection to give to my wife who just quit her secure job to begin her own business! I recommend this book to anyone who has challenges in life that they are thinking about changing by taking a risk. I think this should include just about everyone ... so I think everyone should keep a copy close at hand!

The complicity of silence, April 12, 2014
This review is from: Come and Get Me (Paperback)

Amanda Edward's poetry is a game of hide-and-seek with life, with words, with thoughts, a pantheism deeply rooted in her culture, her soul. Her reason for being is to do something, to leave something behind. One can enhance a life trail for a moment, the distance to the point of defeat in dispute with the great Time.

To accomplish the work she was born to do seems to be Amanda's supreme argument in the balance of her prayers. The idea of unfulfillment frightens the poet and makes her bless and defy the divine miracle of life.

Amanda Edward's dares to dream in her poems and only the reality knocks her idols and scatters her illusions Go and get Her! I did and still do.


Magdalena Biela.


http://www.amazon.com/Come-Get-Me-Amanda-Edwards/dp/131202495X

Damn you

Damn you
Damn you for making me believe
Damn you for making me believe in you
Damn you for making me believe in you then leaving me
Damn you for making me believe in you then leaving me to wonder why
Damn you for leaving me to wonder why
Damn you for making me doubt you
Now I have to believe in me
Bless you.

Come and Get Me .... my poetry collection is OUT!

https://tinyurl.com/n9gbec7

The final book cover for my anthology

Photograph and Design
Niki Palmer.

Drought

Our lawn is in a state of disrepair.
Not one green blade of grass to soothe the eyes.
For only hardy plants can thrive out here,
Beneath the glorious blue of sun streaked skies.

The next door neighbour's patch is emerald green!
Not for him this panting, drought struck land
He has the liveliest grass I've ever seen!
From founts of water hosed with liberal hand.

Not us! We wait for autumn rains to fall.
Our grass lies dormant; brown and dry and dead.
Yet in defiance one proud stalk stands tall,
And nods towards the breeze its feathered head.

My fingers itch to spring the grass to life,
But that is not my role; I too must wait.
Perhaps these desert moments are a tithe,
That patience, hope and faith will satiate.

Amanda Edwards (c) 2014
(Writing for Joy)

The Tui

(photo by Phil Linklater)

I wake to hear the Tui's tuneful lilt,
He serenades his lover, trills and shouts.
I strain to see the tuft beneath his throat,
His iridescent feathers gleam like silk.

Our garden comes alive with boisterous song.
He flits from tree to tree and calls his mate.
She answers with her own bell-like refrain,
Secure, that in his eyes, she does no wrong.

I listen to those birds with sinking heart.
The tree on which they sing will soon be felled.
A straggling pine that's simply grown too tall,
It's job is done - and now it must depart.

..............................................................


The garden makes a neat and tidy bower.
With native shrubs and trees to gaze upon.
One day perhaps, the Tui will return,
The kowhai tree shows signs of early flower.


Amanda Edwards (c) 2014

Come and Get Me - a collection of poetry ... soon to be published.

Photograph by Niki Palmer

A seagull dives and wheels along the shore,
Adjusts its wings in calm and measured flight.
Brief skiffs of rain paint shadows on the lake,
A boy holds fast his wild and frenzied kite.

I long to leave this place; soar with the gull,
But something pulls me down and won't let go.
A distant voice that speaks in ancient tongue,
Not yet, not yet, there's more you need to know.

I turn my face toward the coming storm,
Still my heart and count in measured beat.
Comb my trembling fingers through my hair,
Refuse to let my mind admit defeat.

Amanda Edwards (c) 2014

Below the surface

What fire breathes beneath this crater lake?
What currents lick the shore with lazy tongue?
A volcano that has long since spent its force,
Yet steaming vents belie its dormant state.

What mild tremblings stir us from our sleep?
As Ruaumoko wakes and shakes his head.
His legendary strength still tilts the earth,
Ephemeral human structures buried deep.

What raging storms drive us underground?
In fear that all we own will soon be lost.
We wait for calm until we venture forth,
Wade through the utter chaos left behind.

What shadows lurk behind our sunlit masks?
What dreams are pushed aside until too late?
What passion dampened down to kill desire?
How many questions are there left, to ask?

Amanda Edwards (c) 2014

An attempt at a sonnet ...

Man and wife.

We lay together underneath this tree,
the willow branches shade our skin, so fair.
We listen to the shrieks of youngsters, free,
unshackled from the burdens that we bear.
It’s simple here to let our troubles ease,
relaxed, replete I watch you drift away.
Enchanted by the shadows of the leaves,
that dance upon your face in joyful play.
I slow my heart to beat in time with yours,
and shed a tear of happiness for us.
For in this magic place we find no flaws;
acceptance, love and hope, no need to fuss.
Just now we leave behind our family strife,
Our souls connect once more as man and wife.

 

Amanda Edwards © 2014

Sunflower

I stretch and stretch
thirsting for light
your love
quickening, quivering
through my veins.

My seed glows gold
with the passage of time
beating for you my love
half tempo rhythm and blues.

I open wide
search for those last rays
a memory of you
embossed upon my heart.

Oh lord, where are you?
Why do you leave
this pale shadow of yourself
in my night sky?

I bow to you
curl around my emptiness
And cry.

 ©Amanda Edwards 2014