Chatham Ave

  I walked down the track 
                in the afternoon
  ten years of memories 
               cut in too soon.
  I started to sweat, 
                  I had no room,
  and overhead
                  a sonic boom.
  It’s far too early 
               to ask the moon
  just what the fu-ck
              am I doing here.

  We reminisce 
              a thousand times 
  of drinking, swimming, 
                 blowing minds.
  Meeting people,
                friendships bind
  sitting under 
        those massive pines.
  Contemplating, 
                rehearsing lines
  but can’t you see 
             I don’t want this?

  Sure, I remember 
                  the early days,
  the barbecues, 
            the summer haze,
  the rising tides 
             in mangrove bays -
  constant laughter 
         and bloodshot gaze,
  but I tell myself it 
              was just a phase...
  and at thirty-three 
              I’m beyond that.


         Written: 1993

               ———

At the end of Chatham Ave lies a public reserve 
or park on the shores of the upper Waitemata
Harbour in Paremoremo, just north of Auckland
in New Zealand. A time and place of no return.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



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Date: 3/10/2024 4:06:00 AM
Ah yes, Chatham Ave by the sea. An old haunt of mine but the laughter and bloodshot gaze are a distant memory.
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Date: 1/21/2022 7:23:00 AM
Welcome to Soup. Good memories are the best. I enjoyed your "Chatham Ave." Have a blessed day/weekend..............
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Date: 1/18/2022 5:43:00 AM
Hi Craig...I'm pleasantly impressed by your debut poem on Soup. Reminiscing about the lovely stages of years gone by tends to leave its mark on me, as well! Unfortunately those years will never return. ~ Regards // paul
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Date: 1/13/2022 8:27:00 PM
Memories, we take the good with the bad and moving on, we make headway on this earth. I have asked more than once, what am I doing here? well-done, Craig.
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Date: 1/9/2022 5:32:00 PM
beautifully expressed Craig, welcome to soup:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 1/7/2022 2:42:00 PM
Many hazy daze and dazy days for me as well. But hey, I wouldn't trade those times for anything. Keep up the great writng, Craig.
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Date: 1/7/2022 5:18:00 AM
A warm welcome to Poetry Soup. NZ was my second home for a couple of years. I enjoyed your first post very much. New year blessings Aloha, Connie
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Date: 1/5/2022 2:13:00 PM
I enjoyed your poem. You painted a nice picture.... Welcome to soup. Write On! Debra
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Date: 1/3/2022 8:25:00 PM
Welcome to Soup! "the rising tides in mangrove bays - constant laughter and the bloodshot gaze" - terrific end rhymes!
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Date: 1/2/2022 9:25:00 AM
We all have those indelible memories, sweet and sad, you have expressed them with vivid imagery....well done! Paulette
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Date: 1/2/2022 6:39:00 AM
Yes, memories can make us smile or CRINGE. I have some I don't enjoy too. This is VERY well written and expressive, Craig! Welcome to PS. Janice
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Date: 1/1/2022 7:39:00 PM
The place that we loved once may not be as thrilling as before when we go there after years ! Your days of frolic enjoyment is now just a memory ! Great poem . Welcome to poetry soup Craig, I too am rather new to this site!
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Date: 1/1/2022 6:18:00 AM
This is incredible! I just love it. I'm so glad you posted it. Happy New Year and God bless you in 2022. Welcome to Poetry Soup. Love, Gina
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