Snippets on 'News Breakfast'!

New Zealand landslide *– heavy rains!

Wrecked campsite – deth a couple claims…

Nature’s vengeance unrelenting

Means more campers lose their tenting!

 

“News Breakfast” on the ABC:

Daily climate update spree!

Extreme warnings: floods, bushfire

As summer heatwaves can be dire.

 

Some quirky items make the cut:

The corpse flower “Titan Arum” stuck

In my mind, as when in bloom

Its stink can quickly clear a room!

 

“Lady Gaga” here is python white

To visitors - a rare zoo sight;

Today’s news: she is to retire

While Tamworth “roper” skills inspire!

 

A cull of pesky cane toads planned;

While “Hate Law” politics is damned;

Today’s new capsule of Oz news

All grist to my cheeky Muse!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2026

* At Mount Maunganui, North Island

Casper - the Corpse Flower

Shark Bytes on the News!

 This heat evokes strong urge to swim:

What a temptation! We jump in

To cool off in the ocean brine;

Though this could be for the last time!

 

Today - horrific prime time news!

Top item getting massive views

At Manly Beach disaster strikes

In murky waters three shark bites!

 

Devoted lifeguards who are trained

See life-changing wounds sustained

By souls who are still unaware

That they the sea with sharks may share!

 

For Sydneysiders a sad day

Incautious swimmers - juicy prey

To hungry predators who roam

Just out of sight, lost in the foam…

 

Drones on shark watch scan the waves

 In place: red flags and barricades

But human nature is perverse:

So, risk-takers come off worse …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

News flash 20.1.2026 - 4th Shark attack in Sydney!

Musing on the Dreamtime!

When things do not go their way,

Humans rebel; what can I say?

It all depends which cards are dealt:

Injustice fuels moods deeply felt…

 

Oz climate is top news this week

Both floods and bushfires havoc wreak;

Koalas now breed in profusion*

To cull them, though, a vain illusion…

 

Heatwaves mean fruit fails to last

While butter turns to oil too fast!

Milk curdles on the breakfast table;

Oz freezers work to keep food stable!

 

Some lucky friends have swimming pool

For others, showers keep them cool;

Thus, more in daytime than at night

To doze, perchance to dream, seems right!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* The concern is that they will deplete their natural habitat.

Observations in Mid-January

Turbulence in many places,

Ethics are put through their paces;

Riots, bushfires, floods are clues

To what is making today’s news.

 

We learn of Nuuk* in frozen north …

Talk of invasion and so forth;

All this has a disquieting ring

What changes will this new year bring?

 

Great Ocean Road – torrential rains

Bushfires rage – huge livestock claims

Caravans get washed away!

New “Anti-Hate” laws cause dismay.

 

Mid-summer so all schools are closed

Kids’ antics keep Mums on their toes

Sunhats and suncream still a must…

Native gardens dry as dust!

 

This Southern world needs different norms:

Glaring sun then sudden storms;

It’s tough to know just what to wear

Bright colours though, are everywhere!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* The capital of Greenland which belongs to Denmark

Colourful crowds at the annual Tamworth Music Festival

Welcome to Vietnam!

How is it Vietnam found my blog

With many hits*, not just a nod?

My readers escalate worldwide

This makes me feel all warm inside!

 

My site now reaches teenage years

Where it expresses hopes and fears

Recounting life in mocking tone

But NO A.I. – the words mine own!

 

Each day I lightly scan the news:

Odd happenings evoke my Muse.

Attracted to my comments wry

My blog tracks all those passing by!

 

My poems offer mental food;

No deep thoughts, just a teasing mood;

If curious, you call again;

As being serious is a pain!

 

Ennui is what we hate the most

So, let’s be upbeat, roller-coast;

A moment out-of-time I pen

Enjoy my words and please – stay zen!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* 659 hits in 24 hours!

Auntie is Challenged!

 'Hands-on’ Auntie in this heat

Struggles to keep calm and sweet!

With interruptions on the go

Private time is a no-no!

 

Surveillance switch remains full on

Now that Mum and Dad are gone,

Enjoying each in their own way

Time off - a blessing they both say!

 

We’re on the spree, fun shopping trip;

Uneven pavement; small feet slip!

Responsibilities soon set

As gnarled tree roots present a threat!

 

Isabella holds my hand

While Thomas, proud - almost a man

Shows that he can take control

Of shopping trolley – thoughtful soul!

 

This addition to my repertoire

Is filled with joy and can inspire

A range of Aussie patterns new

Perhaps indeed, an ode or two!

 

My childhood memories are sieved …

Strange recalling lost youth lived;

But modern times mean A.I. tools

Fast forward needing on-line rules!

 

Clear discipline remains a must;

As adults we must earn kids’ trust:

Be firm, stay friendly, climb new ropes

So, they will learn to cope – one hopes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

 

Our Capricorn Lad turns Twelve!

 In my Memory Bank I delve ...

Thomas hits the skids at twelve!

Still boyish in so many ways

Cup-stacking* is his latest craze.

 

A Scouts award with friends around

His maths potential – sharp and sound

Primary school now left behind

With a smart uniform to find!

 

An Aussie sport he too likes best

Is cricket and “The Ashes” test!

He cultivates his own world view;

How many hoops will he jump through?

 

Next term he’ll take the train to school

This independence he finds cool!

So, how should Auntie this date mark?

With a day trip to Adventure Park!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* a fast-paced sport where individuals or teams rapidly stack and unstack specially designed plastic cups into predetermined sequences (like pyramids of 3, 6, or 10 cups) as quickly as possible, requiring high levels of hand-eye coordination, focus, and fine motor skills. 

Thomas - at 12!