Startling Ruby Walls

Bathroom mask, home of artist Anado McLauchlin, La Cieneguita, Guanajuato, México




Photo and poem © 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher

A Ruby Lipped Mask

My students in Year 9 English have just completed a study of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
They were required to create a character mask for their assessment oral.
This is one of those masks.
Many beautiful masks were created, so I decided to make a display of them in our room.

Shakespeare's art lives on
Still he reaches youthful minds
Still he can inspire

Ruby-Clad Guitar Man

Rainy afternoon in Morelia, Michoacán, México


Ruby-clad guitar man,
Still humming your sweet song,
While running from the rain—
Don't stay away too long!

Missing your sweet music
Is making my heart swoon;
Don’t think I can stand it—
You gotta come back soon!

Soon as that old rain quits,
And skies are clear once more,
Come back, my guitar man,
To sing at my front door!


Photo and poem © 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher

It's Fun To Be Dressed in Red!

Swimming carnivals are a great opportunity to get all dressed up in house colours!
("Houses" are groups - often given names of people significant in a school.
Each one is assigned a colour. The prime colours red, green, blue and yellow are usually assigned.
The houses compete in swimming and athletics carnivals and sometimes in debating competitions.)

The buzz of dress up
Imagination can fly
Like crazy drama

Ruby-Splashed Dianthus

Dianthus, Southern California


Dazzling dianthus,
even toads sing your praises
morning by morning.


Photo and poem © 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Ruby Warning!

An intentionally intimidating sign at the Mobil petroleum property near Hastings on Westernport Bay, Mornington Peninsula.
It was opened in 1970.
Here gas liquids are processed.

The hazards of gas
Contained simmering danger
Risks of new ideas

Ruby-Splashed Rugs and Blankets

The Bullpen, Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, Arizona


Bullpen is the place to go,
Not for bull or lamb or doe,
But for blankets, rugs and such;
All the shelves are lined with much
To delight the soul and eye;
Come on in and don’t be shy!
You may find just what you need—
Basket, painting or a bead,
Something bright for hearth and home,
Even for your hair, a comb!
For those people in the know,
Bullpen is the place to go.


Photo and poem © 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher