Art is a way of telling the world about our creative spirit as humans. Humanity is the singular entity that will save the human race from extinction.

Journey of discovery

"I travel my journey of discovery through the medium of art
I have you my friends, my companions, by my side
It has been a very splendid ride so far, learning my trade
I could not get this far without you my inspiration, my aids".

Dedicated to all my friends and companions who journey into the unknown with me.
I hope you all enjoy may page!


African Storybook



When I think of Africa

When I think of Africa my heart is sore
famine, disease, war and much more
the child hungry dying from HIV
it is sometimes too much for me

When I think of Africa my heart weeps
for the motherless children stricken with grief
no food to eat or shoes on their feet
this is a crime against humanity

When I think of Africa my heart soars
landscapes of beauty unsurpassed
animals in the wild running free
this is the Africa I so long to see

When I think of Africa my heart dreams
a land of plenty shared out equally
a land where war is an unspoken word
where HIV and hunger is a thing of the past

When I think of Africa my heart dances
children educated giving them chances
empty hospitals, every belly full
prosperity for the masses not just the chosen few


I did this next poem last night after my friend Jana Reinecke posted African Cry!
all rights to this painting stay with the artist Jana Rienecke!

I only ask one thing of you!

The child speaks to faith in a dream
I ask nothing for myself only justice for all
no more heartache, hunger or war
please don't turn your back on my people
I only ask that you do one thing, try
lift your head and hear Africa's cry

Heal our lands, feed our people and set them free
children laughing, mothers singing to their child
harvests good enough to feed us, profit none at all
stop the tribal feuds, make our wealth communal
I only ask that you do one thing, try
lift your head and hear Africa's cry".

My friend Jana sent me a painting she did called "Entangled Souls" after she read the poem I did called "I walk with you" all rights to this painting stay with the artist Jana Rienecke!


I walk with you!

"I walk with you in good and bad times, watching you laugh and cry.
I walk with you through fair and stormy weather,
I walk with you knowing in our hearts we will always be together.
I walk with you through fields of gold, wings entwined in everlasting friendship".

These are my ladies. My wife Marion (Murn) my daughters Mandy and Lia.
" I love them all unconditionally, and; more, with the passing of time".

Always in my heart

I think about you every day
you are never far away
in my heart, you, I always keep
until the day I pass away

You will not weep for me
for you will always know this
in my heart, you, I always keep
even in a permanent sleep

I will watch over you from afar
my love for you, never faded
In my heart, you, I always keep
ever, always and throughout eternity."

Whenever I think, I think of you!

Whenever I think of courage I think of you
Whenever I think of hardship I think of you
Whenever I think of suffering I think of you
Whenever I think of humanity I think of you
Whenever I think of truth I think of you
Whenever I think of sadness I think of you
Whenever I think of love I think of you
Whenever I think of my mother I think of you

Dedicated to my Mother Charlotte who died of lung
cancer when I was a young teenager


I know where you are

I went to see mother today
she does not live with me anymore
I blamed myself I don't know why
I only know her going made me cry

I often used to think of where mother was now
why she does not cuddle and read to me at night
father says she is in heaven, a star shining bright
I hope she hears me say sorry and; that, everything is alright.

I talked with mother again today
I hope she heard my plea through salty tears
that I missed her and now I know where she has gone
walking in golden fields with angels where she belongs."

andypenman2009

Those were the days

Those were the days I have to say
walking with a swagger feeling bold
living my life from day to day
some would say I was a tearaway
never doing anything I was told
nice to reflect when you are getting old

I have changed it is fair to say
not so fit, however, still feeling bold
doing everything that I am told
it is done with a glint in my eye
my spirit intact a devilish charm
those were the days I have to say

Alone in the garden of my mind

When I am alone in the garden of my mind
Thinking I am one of a kind
Seeing beauty is not hard to do
Within the flower bed of happiness
I see a single rose that is you
With a scent that is strong and true

Fleeting moments with you in my heart
Hoping we will never ever be apart
Waltzing through the wild meadow
My thoughts begin to overwhelm me
Back into the darkness I am falling
In freefall no safety net in sight
Reaching out to try and find the light

My mind in spring is a manic delight
Full of chaos and mangled emotions
A spring in my step must do this and that
Talking fast no slowing down in sight
Getting tired not wanting it to stop
Moving around in my head at a frantic pace
Knowing this is going to be a marathon race
When I am alone in the garden of my mind


Why, Why, Why
This poem is about Palestine

Why do the children cry
Why did their fathers die
Why can we not live in peace

Why does the mother weep
Why can't her child wake from sleep
Why can we not live in peace

Why do people have to die
Why do others just standby
Why can we not live in peace

Original Art - Abstract Landscape

Love the food of the vine!

I sit here at times and dream of the summers past
I sip my wine made from a vine that has been in the earth
for a thousand years, made to last, spreading good cheer
I think of my father, stories he would tell, about turning
the soil and at harvest time in the vineyard he held so dear
people would come and celebrate with dance and roar the night away
with song to herald another bumper year
mother and him in love are walking in the moonlight
not a whisper could they hear looking at the stars so bright
the waves crashing against the shore, sweet delight .
I often wonder why; what was it all about
I conclude it is love that made the vines stand tall
I think of you my land whom I love most of all
I shall tell stories of you in summers past before I go".


A Christian Spirit

When I think about Christianity. I think about a simple guy, a carpenter, who put his hand
out to help people without judging them and; that, is how I try and live my life.

I have permission from my friend Murphy Elliot to use this drawing and all rights are retained by him as the artist. Thanks Murphy!!!

A simple Guy

"I read about a simple guy
with a big heart
and spiritual soul
who paid a price
for being nice
not allowed to grow old
he rose again the story told
to watch over us from
a higher plane
reunited with his father again".

Another day in paradise

Wonder why the old man cries
he has lived a full life
now he thinks it is his time to die
he hears a voice calling from on high
do not fear my dear old friend
I am your saviour, and; this day,
your life will not end
the old man wipes his tears
and gives out a hefty sigh
another day to live in paradise".


Life is just one big garden

Life is just one big garden
filled with many different plants
all trying their best to survive
some are ground covering gems
others weeds strangulating the masses
and depriving them of the nourishment
that allows them to blossom into a beautiful
bouquet within shared plots
the strong looking after the weak
the young respecting the old
where they are tolerant of each others
environment and; the need to exist
learn about each others growth and culture
what nutrients they all need to survive
in close proximity to one another
where they are given food from the same pot
where the flowers are the colour of the rainbow
learning to bloom in equal measure
in a place where they are all beautiful
not shunned because they are slow to blossom
or were not given the right start as seedlings
nurtured into strong upright plants
I would love living in a garden like this and sharing
the love of the gardener I call God almighty
who started it all in a garden called Eden
with two plants he called Adam and Eve

Let this garden flourish for the sake of mankind!!!


Young Life and More!

Young life starting out
Slow to grow at first
Look beyond the face
If not, you will never know

Nurture this delicate being
For it is tender and raw
Look beyond the face
Help this being grow

Encourage the jest for life
To be the best they can be
Look beyond the face
Find the heart and soul



Art - My heaven!

"I started to paint brush alight
mood changing a sweet delight
the sky blue, mountains bright
wonderful feelings are abound
warming my heart just like the ground
that is why art feels like heaven to me".

Brutal Love
(About domestic abuse)

I was brutalised today
he just up and left me there
I feel no worth and dirty too
bruised and violated what do I do

I get myself to my feet
my heart pounding to the beat
must get washed I feel so lost
I will expose him at any cost

In the court my head held high
I look at him and ask why
he turns away a bastard coward
I left with my pain and my dignity".

copyright andypenman 2009