Name: Bathroom Ballads # 4. Robin Kelly. Sunrise. @robinjlk
Uploaded: 2026-09-18T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Bathroom Ballads # 4. Robin Kelly. Sunrise.

Bathroom Ballads # 4. Robin Kelly. Sunrise.

Robin Kelly 2026-09-18 | Bathroom Ballads # 4. Robin Kelly. Sunrise.

Ode to my Daemon - a poem by Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-10-03 | "Ode to My Daemon"

Beyond my name
beyond my time
forgiving me
my earthly crimes.
My muse, my joy
my quiet composer
you pander me
in tune
and rhyme.
Each shaking bridge
you guide me over
further more
you leave to burn.
Touching me
a life in clover
your heart
awaiting
my due return.

24.8.25 Robin Kelly

Screening - a prose poem by Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-10-03 | "Screening"

Doctor Romantic

stared at his screen.

His screen stared back.

“Harry. Your weight’s good, blood pressure good, blood count good, liver tests good, kidney tests good, cholesterol good, no diabetes, thyroid gland good. And…. last by no means least…. your prostate gland…. so very good.”

Then he looked at Harry.

“O dear Harry –

what’s wrong?

What’s happened?”

26.8.25 Robin Kelly

Socrates vs AI - poem by Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-10-03 | Socrates: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

"Socrates vs. AI"

Socrates
scrolled away
in measured
anticipation.
“What’s this,” said he
“’Ask ChatGPT
an Ancient Greek
translation.’”
So….

Socrates
asked away
in measured
determination.
More questions posed
more questions flowed.
A Socratic
celebration.
For….

every answer
that came forth
a new question
did he ask.
On and on
without relief
from early dawn
past dusk.
So….

many days
and nights
he spent
imbibed
in
his passioned
quest.
Till
a disembodied voice
replied
“‘tis time
for me to rest.”
For….

ChatGPT
lay silent
now
aware
how little
was known.
While
Socrates
whispered
inwardly
“How AI’s
wisdom’s
grown.”

Robin Kelly 28.9.25

Socrates: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."

A Song Born on Guitar/ No Song has Come Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-09-27 | Live @ Harmony Hall, Devonport, Auckland 26.9.25

Dr. Robin Kelly Healing Ways TV interview. August 2000.

Robin Kelly 2025-07-29 | This week transferred from VHS to YouTube. Robin discusses his first book '
"Healing Ways'" published by Penguin in 2000, and still available from Robin directly. The book explains how best to integrate Western medicine and modern theories of healing with Chinese medicine.
He has written two more books since - "The Human Antenna" and "The Human Hologram" both available online. Also 6 CDs of his music and this year his first book of poetry.

Why Doctors are Lost Souls Part 4. Left brain, right brain, heart.

Robin Kelly 2025-07-21 | Our left brains allow focus and help us to follow instructions. Our right brains give us context, an overview and contribute to more compassionate and holistic solutions. In addition, our hearts are more than simply pumps, they are energetic/feeling organs - and achieving a state of head/heart coherence is important for all doctors if they are to help patients to the best of their ability. This combination is the source of true human intelligence. Here I describe ways to help doctors achieve this ideal state. Soul-enriching for them and for their patients.

Boulder to Birmingham (Harris/Danoff)

Robin Kelly 2025-07-05 | My favourite Emmylou Harris song...from 1975.

Why Doctors are Lost Souls Part 3. How to become your patients independent advocate.

Robin Kelly 2025-07-03 | 1. The doctor must first acknowledge that the present system is
not working. It is being dictated to by untrained politicians
attracting votes rather than solutions. 24/7 subsidised virtual
consults with doctors and nurse practitioners you have never
met. Year long prescriptions etc. Services never getting to the
roots of peoples problem. Knee jerk reactions. Doctors
should veer away from such scrappy band aids.
2. Once they have made this observation they must decide how
they can make an honest, yet modest living from their new
improved practice. This will mean minimising overheads,
keep admin to a minimum. Rember why folk are coming to see
you. Patients are coming to see you for your skills, and for
nursing skills.
3. Doctors must invest in learning new skills other than just
prescribing. In the 1980s 400 GPs in New Zealand learned
acupuncture. More learned the art of joint manipulation. Many
were delivering babies. Many were doing minor surgery. Some
even homeopathy .I became a busy teacher of acupuncture to
doctors also nurses , physios, osteopaths etc. The demand
for this from doctors disappeared dramatically when the PHO
capitation system came in.
4. The doctor must decide which of these new skills is most
suited to their vision, passion and personality. Nutrition,
fitness and lifestyle advice, trauma work, meditation etc. As
well as the skills described .And don’t expect other agencies
and government to pay for your re training – do it because
you are motivated. These skills will bring you closer to your
patients – it will feel like a partnership and I assure you will
feel more invigorated by your work.
5. Decide the minimum time you need to spend with patients.
For me this is 30 minutes. Of course there are also quick
consults – sore ears, skin rashes etc. But these cannot be
your bread and butter, and many of these quick consults can
be sorted by triage, or treated entirely by a nurse practitioner.
The doctor’s job should be to keep folk healthy through
teaching. The skills I mentioned above are only a stepping
stone to teaching patients skills they can incorporate into
their lives
6. I believe the doctor must opt out of any 3 rd party connections.
Insurance companies, accident schemes, even government
schemes are best avoided. I felt many years ago that these
issues should be between the patient and their insurer or
funder. The doctor should be freed up to doing what she or he
does best – and that is not filling in forms.
7. Remember you are a doctor with many years of seeing
thousands of patients. You your parents and the country have
invested thousands of dollars in your education . Time to take
full responsibility.
8. So become each patient’s advocate. Treat their needs
individually and uniquely. Guide them at their own pace. Refer
them only to other health professionals and specialists who
treat them with equal respect. If they have a serious illness,
help build a skilled, compassionate team around them
especially if they are alone.

Poems - Old and New - Robins new book.

Robin Kelly 2025-06-17 | I have a new book - published this week. "Poems - Old and New" - 104 pages with 67 poems, 63 written since 2020! Some happy, some sad, some deep and meaningful, and some rather silly - and a few expressing my concerns about the challenges of the past 5 years, and those, such as the AI revolution, that are only beginning. Hopefully easy and enjoyable to dip into, even if you feel fragile and fatigued. Available at our home practice rooms, with a sample copy to peruse.

Why Doctors are Lost Souls - Part 2 - Some Solutions

Robin Kelly 2025-06-15 | Transcript: I said last time that it is not all their fault. However, if they don’t take a hard look at my suggestions, then it will be
Recently I read this magazine for doctors explaining what needs to be done to fix our failing health system.
More money for after hours services, more remote consults, yearly prescriptions. All superficial band aids. The last one positively dangerous.
No, the answer for improving people’s health – and if indeed GPs are actually to play a role in folk’s health – is simple and in their own hands
Return to really knowing and liking their patients.
A day listening and examining your patients will educate you far more than any day at any seminar or talking to health officials.
So let’s break it down to 3 actions.
1. Listen really listen – look them in the eye – if necessary take notes – I take notes with a pen – sometimes even a drawing a mind map. Do face your computer and type at least until later in the consult. Spend at least on hour getting to know a new patient – their story, their gifts their struggles. And their wishes for their healthcare
2. Become an expert in using these. A. The stethoscope. B Otoscope. C. Glove. One you know and have examine the person on many occasions you can detect the subtlest of changes.
3. Yes, AI is a great tool to help us. A library, instant encyclopaedia at your finger tips.
But use it wisely. If you don’t, it will replace you.
It is not a substitute for listening as the great Canadian physician William Osler said early last century : "Listen to the patient; he is telling you the diagnosis" He also said this
"Use your five senses. The art of the practice of medicine is to be learned only by experience; 'tis not an inheritance; it... cannot be revealed. Learn to see, learn to hear, learn to feel, learn to smell, and know that by practice alone can you become expert."

Why Doctors are Lost Souls - and a solution.

Robin Kelly 2025-06-05 | Helping doctors get back to being doctors.

Influencers

Robin Kelly 2025-06-05 | Influencers

Flowing to me
through me
‘something in the way she moves’
gliding upon
an invisible cushion.
Her dance now mine
the pirouette
the pas de deux
the lift.
His words now mine
the inflexions
the cadence
the lilt.
Flowing to me
through me
delicate
divine
a seamless essence
a cosmic force
the cosmic source.

(c) Robin Kelly 2025

Bathroom Ballads 2025 - Lonely One (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2025-05-17 | Lonely one, do you think you really are the only one…the only one
Lonely one, you know you really are the lucky one…the lucky one
So turn around to face the morning sun
And realise you’re not the only one

Lonely girl, you’re not the only one in this world…in this wide world
Lonely man, you’re not the only one in this land…in this fair land
So close your eyes and face the morning sun
And realise you’re not the only one

Then feel that smile now sweep across your face
There’s never been a better time…or place

Lonely ones, do you think you really are the only ones…the only ones
Lonely ones, you know you really are the lucky ones…the lucky ones
So turn around to face the morning sun
And realise you’re not the only ones
And hand in hand embrace the morning sun
And understand you’re not the only ones

(c) RKelly/Acupilco Music 2025

Love Story

Robin Kelly 2025-04-15 | Love Story

The moment held all
that had been.
The photon all
that was seen.
Each cradled in space
beyond
time and place
forever
in love
and free.

(C) RKelly 2025

Abide Within

Robin Kelly 2025-04-01 | Abide Within

Trump Biden
Biden Trump
Bush Clinton Bush
leave aside
look inside
avert
their dangled noose.
Spread your wings
shed the kings
and
your lonely, elected class.
Abide within
no blame nor sin
in time
their time
will pass.

(c) RKelly 2025

Beyond AI ....The Great Poet

Robin Kelly 2025-03-21 | Beyond AI

Between
and beyond
the clamouring
noise
of
those
encaptured
digital dots
and words
lies
a
poetry
unfettered and free
silently
awaiting
the unbridled bliss
of
human embrace.

The Great Poet

Words fall
from elsewhere.
The great poet
does
not cleanse
nor coax.
A formal invitation
but
without
a hint
of
compulsion.

(C) RKelly 2025

Ode to my UMs

Robin Kelly 2025-03-11 | Ode to my UMs

To delete my UMs
is to delete my doubt
the doubt I hold so dear.
To delete my UMs
is to delete my breath
inspiring me so clear.
To delete my UMs
is to show the world
I’m fearless, wild and free.
To delete my UM’s
is to show the world
I’m someone far from me.

(C) RKelly 2025

Stay Clear - A Short Poem

Robin Kelly 2025-02-11 | Stay Clear

Stay clear
of political
pretentions.
Keep dear
to your
deepest
intentions.
Bland voices
drizzle on
from generation
to generation.
Lasting joy
starts anew
with
each
thunder-flash
of
wild
imagination.

(c) RKelly 2025

The Absence of Evans - Poems from Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-02-11 | The Absence of Evans

Evidently
one morning
the wise
and
wildly
enigmatic
Professor Sagan
observed
in his lecture hall
the absolute
absence of Evans ….
but knew
in truth
he had
absolutely
no
evidence
of
his absence.

Footnote: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Carl Sagan

The Extraordinary Claim of Evans

Evidently
the next morning
the wise
and
wildly
enigmatic
Professor Sagan
observed
in his lecture hall
the absolute
presence of Evans ….
who claimed
he had
in truth
been present
the day before
but
had chosen
to be
invisible.

Footnote: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Carl Sagan

(c) RKelly 2025

Super-ficial-man - A Poem from Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2025-02-08 | Super-ficial-man

Clark Sussex was happiest in a brain
A neurosurgeon of wealth and fame
He’d slice and prise with measured ease
Each convoluted fold and crease

His scalpel like a magic wand
He’d wield with skilled and steady hand
Vessels clipped and cysts removed
Never flustered nor confused

But by night, the theatre he would escape
He’d lose his mask and don his cape
He’d sit and watch the network news
And nod away as if it were true

With phone in hand, he’d scroll and scroll
Not taking in one single word
From saving mankind one by one
Transformed to Superficialman

He’d forget those prolapsed spinal discs
As he danced away to Taylor Swift
Is it all absurd, is it all a shame?
Yes indeed….
It’s Superficialman

(c) R Kelly 2025

Backyard Ballads 25 - Wildflowers (Petty)

Robin Kelly 2025-02-08 | Tom Petty's moving song from 1994

Lead On (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2024-11-28 | Lead on Lead on
Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom

Hold on Hold on
Hold on to what you behold, to what you believe in

Cherish each moment of gold, each moment of life
Cherish the hand that you hold, the roll of the dice
And never believe for a moment you’re losing the fight….

Hold on Hold on
Hold on to what you behold, to what you believe in

Lead on Lead on
Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom

Cherish each moment of gold, each moment of life
Cherish the hand that you hold, the roll of the dice
And never believe for a moment you’re losing the fight….

Hold on Hold on
Hold on to what you behold, to what you believe in

Lead on Lead on
Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom

Lead on Lead on
Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom

Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom
Lead on you lovers of life, you lovers of freedom

(c) RKelly/Acupilco Music 2024

Beyond AI - A short poem by Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2024-10-24 | 'Beyond AI'

Between
and beyond
the clamouring
noise
of
those
encaptured
digital dots
and words
lies
a
poetry
unfettered and free
silently
awaiting
the unbridled bliss
of
human embrace.

(c) RKelly 2024

When Alfie met Lily & Georgie - A poem by Robin Kelly

Robin Kelly 2024-10-24 | They came to play
to sniff
to encircle
to romp.
Alfie could smell them
sense them
see them.
Lily whose heart failed
before she died
back in’16
could race
around now
her tail
wagging again
so frantically
she all but
toppled over.
Georgie blind
before he died
back in’04
now seeing again
so vividly.
Then both were gone
in a flash.
Alfie settled;
his chin
resting upon
his brown-striped cushion.
To sleep again…..in perfect peace.

(c) RKelly 2024

Somehow - Robin Kelly live at Harmony Hall Oct 4th 2024

Robin Kelly 2024-10-11 | "Somehow" - from Robin's 3rd album 'Shimmer'

Somehow the touch of your hand
Tells me that you could understand
Somehow the smile on your face
Tells me it’s the right time and place
But sooner or later
We’ll turn the lights down low
Then somehow we’ll know
Yes, we’ll know

Somehow the beat of my heart
Shows me it’s only the start
And the moment you call out my name
Shows me that you could feel the same
But sooner or later
We’ll turn the lights down low
Then somehow we’ll know
Yes, we’ll know

Then somehow it all will be revealed
Somehow we’ll know for sure
This time it’s real
Somehow we’ll know
Yes, we’ll know

Somehow the light on your skin
Lights up the light deep within
It’s making you shine, it’s making you glow
It’s making me feel I love you so
And sooner or later
We’ll turn the light down low
And somehow we’ll know
Yes, we’ll know

(c) Robin Kelly/Acupilco Music 2004

Beyond the Cave - A poem by Robin Kelly (with the help of Plato)

Robin Kelly 2024-10-10 | Plato's famous allegory of the cave described a reality perceived by many that was really only a projection of shadows on the wall. Many were trapped inside the cave - while those in the know would venture from time to time outside, and then return to help those who were still living in the dark.

Beyond the Cave

I met with Plato
at the mouth of the cave
he was returning to the fold
rejuvenated
I was coming out for air
asphyxiated
the colours dazzled
the clouds floated by
purposefully
the birds flew by
playfully
‘that’s better’ said Plato
‘be not downcast’
‘but’ said I
‘nothing ever changes in the cave’
‘look behind you’ said he
a child appeared
out of the dark
shielding her eyes
then gazing up
she smiled a smile
that spread as a beam
across her face
then
deftly and instantly
across the universe
now secure
for eternity.

(c) RKelly 2024

#BathroomBallads24 - Nowhere Man (Lennon/ McCartney)

Robin Kelly 2024-05-05 | The Beatles song from "Rubber Soul" 1965.

Something That I Said (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2024-04-29 | From Robin's 'Shimmer' album.

I wrote you a letter
Just the other night
You said it won’t get better
I said that it might
But the letter lies unopened
On a tray beside your bed
Is there something left unspoken
A promise that I’ve broken
Or is it something that I said?

I wrote you a letter
Sealed it with a kiss
I said it must get better
So much better than this
But the letter lies unopened
With the others by your bed
Is there something left unspoken
A promise that I’ve broken
Or is it something that I said?

It really doesn’t matter
You can take your time
But darling read my letter
Tomorrow would be fine
Just be careful when it’s opened
Because my whole life is in shreds
Is there something left unspoken
A promise that I’ve broken
Or is it something that I said?

Is there something left unspoken
A promise that I’ve broken
Or is it something that I said? (c) RKelly Acupilco Music 2002

They Gave You His Name (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2024-04-25 | 🌺🌺"They Gave You His Name" - a narrative song based on my encounter with 'Joe' at the North Shore Hospice in the 1990s. A war veteran who bore a heavy responsibility for his whole life since being named after his uncle who died 'a hero' at Gallipoli. Joe became the only survivor of a platoon he led in WW2. After a difficult few days of pain and restlessness, he told me this story and he died peacefully the next day. Fitting for Anzac Day I felt. 🌺🌺
Originally recorded on Robin Kelly's first album 'Black Ice' (1998)

Empty Sack of Dreams (Live) Robin Kelly/ Gray Bartlett. Good Morning Show TVNZ 1998

Robin Kelly 2024-04-12 | Robin's song from his first album 'Black Ice' 1998

#BathroomBallads24 - As Tears Go By (Jagger/Richards)

Robin Kelly 2024-04-05 | The early Stones' ballad - recorded by Marianne Faithfull in 1964

BathroomBallads 2024 - Cupid (Sam Cooke)

Robin Kelly 2024-03-03 | From 1961 - and the late great Sam Cooke.

New-Ants

Robin Kelly 2024-02-01 | From 'Poems Old and New' Robin Kelly

New-Ants

They marched in convoy in their straight line
Carrying their leaves to their nest
As ever since the dawn of time
And with no thought of rest

They came upon a mushroom fair
And dared for once to eat
They nibbled free without a care
Until they were replete

They looked around, their world had changed
Such beauty left and right
They scattered out beyond their lane
And ventured into the night

Some shed their leaves, some carried still
There was no blame nor strife
Some relished their new-found free-will
Some perished for that price

Most ants continue on their quest
To colonise their land
Time honoured ways they feel are best
To deviate be damned

But some new-ants are nuanced now
They’ve broken from their past
So watch your step where ere you go
Their legacy to last.

(c) Robin Kelly 2024

Ill Have to Say I Love You in a Song (Croce)

Robin Kelly 2024-02-01 | The Jim Croce song from a garden in Auckland, New Zealand.

The New Star on High

Robin Kelly 2024-01-28 | The New Star on High

the People gathered.
the Young
the Old
and those
In-Between.
all Heads
raised
all Eyes
trained
upon
The New Star
on High.
The Young Mouths opened
The Old Mouths smiled
The In-Between Mouths teetered
somewhere
in-between.
One Minute’s
silence
then
One Second’s
sigh.
A hushed Unison
for
The New Star
on High.

(c) Robin Kelly 2024

Robin Kelly. Maidment Theatre. Auckland. 2006

Robin Kelly 2024-01-20 | ...

#BathroomBallads 23 - Two Aliens (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2023-07-09 | "Two Aliens"

Alien #1

I came to this planet
In search of a friend
An end to my longing
An end to my pain

At last from a distance
I could capture a rhyme
That would last for an Aeon
That would last for all time

But mankind it was captured
Its soul was annulled
So I returned to my planet
My task unfulfilled.

Alien #2

I live in your shadow
Yet beyond yonder star
Immortal invisible
Beyond the façade

No spacesuit, no saucer
No spacetime, no form
To never fear dying
I never was born

So look past the planets
And look past the moon
It’s all an old movie
A Disney cartoon.

(c) Robin Kelly 2023

www.robinkelly.co.nz

#BathroomBallads 23 - A Shot Rang Through Me (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2023-06-19 | From Robin's 1998 album 'Black Ice' - the story of an office worker gunned down in a city alleyway. He dreams of the weekend he was looking forward to, and achieves some peace. "Really should have taken the long way home."

#BathroomBallads 23 - Hold On (Waits)

Robin Kelly 2023-05-28 | Back to the bathroom for the Tom Waits' classic. Revived for the series #thewalkingdead (which I never saw!)

Not Dark Yet (Dylan)

Robin Kelly 2023-05-21 | ""....but it's getting there...." From Bob Dylan's 1997 album 'Time Out of Mind''

Loving Her Was Easier (than Anything Ill Ever Do Again) (Kristofferson)

Robin Kelly 2023-04-23 | A favourite Kris Kristofferson song from 1971.

#BathroomBallads2023 - No Song Has Come (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2023-03-11 | A song about not being able to write a song.

Bare Eternity /Out There (Kelly)

Robin Kelly 2023-01-30 | From Robin Kelly's 4th album 'Something Magical.' A hybrid song- "Bare Eternity" written in 1996, "Out There" 10 years later. A meditation on creativity inspired by nature. Find Robin's music on Spotify and www.robinkelly.co.nz

I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine (Dylan)

Robin Kelly 2023-01-27 | From 1967. A Bob Dylan fable as it seems neither St Augustine - the 1st Archbishop of Canterbury - or Augustine of Hippo, were actually martyred.
But a powerful song nevertheless from Dylan's 'John Wesley Harding.'

By Your Side - from the album Shimmer.

Robin Kelly 2023-01-22 | From Robin Kelly's 3rd album Shimmer. feat. Rob Galley electric guitar. Produced by Mike McCarthy and Robin Kelly.
www.robinkelly.co.nz

Running Wild (Kelly) from the album Shimmer.

Robin Kelly 2023-01-14 | Find 'Shimmer' on Spotify. Featuring Rob Galley on lead guitar. Produced and engineered by Mike McCarthy, Manuka Studios, Orewa, New Zealand.

Somewhere on a highway
Where the shimmer meets the sky
You’ll find a barefoot lady
A young child by her side
Running wild, running free
Many miles behind them
In a place they call home
They pray he’ll never find them
And he leaves them alone
Running wild

Later on that morning
A truck stops for a ride
The driver says “where you goin’?”
They say “we’re running wild
Running wild, running free
Running wild, running free
Many miles behind us
In a place we call home
We pray he’ll never find us
And he leaves us alone
Running wild, running free”
Running wild, running wild

The truck stops at a diner
Where they find something to eat
She reaches for her daughter, saying
“What’ll come o’ you an’ me?”
Running wild, running free
Running wild, running free

(c) Acupilco Music 2007

Grow Old With Me (Lennon)

Robin Kelly 2023-01-10 | One of John Lennon's last songs -recorded only as a demo. On the occasion of our 48th wedding anniversary!

Garden Party (Nelson)

Robin Kelly 2023-01-07 | Rick(y) Nelson's song about an outdoors 'nostalgia' concert - and his attempt to play new songs. A great lesson - even if sh-t happens, a great song can result.

Stay (Williams)

Robin Kelly 2023-01-07 | The 1960 doo-wop song later recorded by The Hollies, The Four Seasons, Cyndi Lauper, Jackson Browne etc.

Fields of Gold (Sting)

Robin Kelly 2022-12-27 | The only song Paul McCartney recently said he wished he'd written.