Andrew James Whalan

March 27, 2023

He didn’t ask us back

“We’re going to marriage counselling,”my wife said. Which were the first words she had spoken to me in about five months. Which never got mentioned during the counselling.
March 26, 2023

Even the Bins

It was during a marriage counselling session at home of an evening. The good pastor from central casting (tall, blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and a radio announcer voice) and his squeaky clean wife (plain dress, sensible shoes, straight hair and subservient) were sitting opposite us. He had just finished telling us how he much…
March 16, 2023

The Listening Problem (What am I doing Wrong?)

Is it possible to listen too well? I’ve had the experience, more than once, where I’ve listened, someone has shared far too much, stopped themselves and then didn’t know what to do next. And I’ve left it. And them.
March 7, 2023

All Poets are Better than Me (2)

Every word I write is now broken, Vowels and consonants combined dead now spoken, Because every thought first belonged to another’s mind. I’ll stop now. As everything I write could only be plagiarised. Because surely these words were another’s Their letters previously penned before by others Meaning my vowels and consonants are pre-written By the…
February 16, 2023

Beyond the shore

I will walk out to you beyond the swirling shore Shouldering aside the breaching waves Overturning me and washing me back once more.
February 15, 2023

The Sin of Eve

Welcome to trial by ordeal with a modern twist Where any trivial detail once missed Ensures that no one will ever believe Her. For she is on trial for the sin of Eve. Her’s is the devilled apple meant to deceive man into sin all her fault now as he sees himself exacting revenge unbidden…
February 14, 2023

Valentine’s Day (at the Motor Show)

It was Valentine’s Day. The day when all true lovers should be with one another. Which meant of course that I was by myself. Or more truthfully with my younger brother. Who was staying with me for a while. As that day was hot and the distance close, we decided to go to the Brisbane…
February 9, 2023

Eliza, ChatGPT3 and the GIGO Principle

The first time I met Eliza, I totally fell for her: fingers fumbling over keyboard. Our introduction consisted of a flashing cursor. And me poised too eager as it turned out. Until I typed in the sentence, “I’m in love with the other woman”. And yes, a song with that title was everywhere at the…
February 7, 2023

Session Whisperer

“So how have you been since our last time?” “Doing a bit better,” I say, eyes bright with a wan smile. I’d rather not show the glimpse of the chasm that yesterday I thought in fear that I would fall over well almost nearly. In penance therefore I list out my mini troubles all sonorous…
February 3, 2023

Starved beyond silence

Bang. Bang. “Just a second.” I was still between that half-life that is sleep and wakefulness. Through my half-lidded eyes I saw shadows moving up and down. At the end of the bed. To the same rhythm as the noise. Bang-Bang-Bang. Through my half-opened eyes, I sat up. And saw him. Dark framed in a…
January 24, 2023

One Breath for All

One tires of gasping for breath, or Counting out the breaths that fall
January 20, 2023

My Username Change

“Hi, I’m calling you back regarding your new username.” “Why thank you,” she trilled. “I’ve changed it from your old surname to your new one.” It was then I chose to become extra customer focussed. “Congratulations! When was the big day?” Silence. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. I’m out here. “It’s already passed,” she…