Stephen House has won awards and nominations as a poet, playwright, and actor. He’s been commissioned often, with 20 plays produced, many published by Australian Plays Transform. He’s received international literature residencies from The Australia Council for the Arts to Canada and Ireland, and an Asialink residency to India. He’s had two chapbooks published by ICOE Press Australia: ‘real and unreal’ poetry and ‘The Ajoona Guest House’ monologue. His poetry is published often. He’s performed his acclaimed monologues, ‘Appalling Behaviour’, ‘Almost Face to Face’ and ‘The Ajoona Guest House’ widely. His play, ‘Johnny Chico’ ran in Spain for 4 years. 

with the sea

it’s a part of my life being with the sea 
wherever i am residing
and it features in my everyday plan
calming joy 
adventure and peace 

i don’t think about much with the sea
i realised that decades ago
walks and swims ongoing daily 
in time alone 
thoughts drift away

feeling the physical comes with the sea 
wind direction touching each day 
water temperature my body sense 
sun on skin 
soft warming glow

i always see beauty with the sea
shades of colours on changing water
how the sky is cloudy or clear wide blue
if seals or dolphins  
are swimming nearby

my time is not complicated with the sea
moments of living in the present
simplicity connecting me to nature
and that connection gives 
sense of self

when i swim as i often do with the sea
i feel at one with our planet earth
within the arms of the universe
gently healing  
bringing harmony   

i can’t imagine a life not being with the sea
i’m unsure what i would do
for the sea is more than a place to go
it provides a reason 
and often an answer