Fireworks on Brighton Beach

These bustling crowds inspire my rhyme

 And ‘Down Under’ fireworks lure big time!

On New Year’s Eve on Brighton’s shore

Kids queue for ice cream, ask for more!

 

Local police all out in force

(After “Bondi Beach” of course);

First challenge: find a place to park

Bright silver moon helps light streets dark.

 

Anticipation is the key;

Excited “oohs” and “aahs” ring free

As shooting stars and rocket trails

Burst forth above the jetty rails.

 

Silver, gold, red, emerald green

Explode in constant floodlit stream

Each magic moment soon eclipsed

By amazing pyrotechnic twist!

 

This balmy New Year’s Eve had charm

As crowds were well-behaved and calm

It was the kids’ 9.30 show…

How Oz welcomes midnight – I don’t know!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Captivating Cricket!

Much news Down Under is sports-based

The Ashes Series tops the race

As cricket fills our TV screens

And eager crowds cement their dreams!

 

When play gets tough in this star game

The MCG pitch gets the blame!

Wickets fall and bails fly high

Under a peerless sapphire sky.

 

I don’t pretend to know the rules

Taught worldwide in the best schools,

But marvel at the grandstands full

As this sport retains its pull!

 

Innings, runs and ball-by-ball,

These terms are known by one and all.

We often talk of “sticky wicket”

And some things are just “Not cricket”!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Melbourne Cricket Ground at sunset

 

On Christmas Past - Aussie-Style!

Time passes in a summer haze

In Perth some bushfires are ablaze;

Long-necked turtles* at 'Top End'

Are endangered – so, befriend!

 

The Sydney-Hobart Yacht race glides

Across our screens – more sport besides

As the Aussies hold on tight

To the Ashes – UK plight!

 

There’s much promotion for the sales

Despite the heat, this trend prevails!

Not much is mentioned from abroad

Unless it’s sport where Aussie scored!

 

Wide streets, tree-lined see wheelie bins

Along the roadside: gift-wrap, tins,

Drunk-dry bottles, last week’s news

Christmas trappings - now refuse …

 

The supermarket carpark fills

In no time, queues and ringing tills

The quiet lull of Christmas Day

Is broken as the Sales make hay!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Australia is home to six of the world's seven marine turtle species, all listed as vulnerable or endangered, including the Endangered Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley, and the Vulnerable Green, Hawksbill, and Flatback (unique to Australia) turtles, facing threats from plastic pollution, climate change affecting sex ratios, entanglement, and habitat loss. 

Learning the Ropes!

In warm weather, we all slow;

Avoiding heat means lying low

Even simple tasks take time

So daytime dreaming is divine!

 

Yet,  chores still cry out to be done;

Clothes dry quickly in the sun

All foodstuffs in the fridge stay cool

Cleared kitchen surfaces - the rule!

 

Insects buzz and can cause grief

Beware each wrinkled lettuce leaf!

 Mould on shelf jam quickly forms …

For daily health – shoal of new norms!

 

Not that I complain or grouse

But as I live in Aussie house

Over Christmas, I now heed

New perspectives – at full speed.

 

You shut doors to keep out the heat

Some walk barefoot in the street!

A wide-brimmed sunhat de rigueur

And have your water bottle near!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Isabella turns Eight!

Today, whom do we celebrate?

Isabella - who turns eight!

Her interest in science grows;

She loves to show off what she knows!

 

Sharp intellect and caring soul

Will medicine become her role?

She checks on Granny’s hearing aid;

Are daily pills on table laid?

 

Her altruistic attitude

In one so young, reflects smart mood,

A lively lass whose heart is fond;

Age does not matter – just warm bond!

 

She senses when care is required

And shows concern when Granny’s tired…

This maturity is new

Huge age gap - Gran is 1-0-2!

 

A nurse? A doctor? Who can tell?

This noble trend is shaping well.

For now, though, she’s content to be

Our curious little love, still twee!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On Gratitude

With the festive season in full swing

For those who live alone, it’s grim;

For many injured the bell tolls,

We pray for Sydney’s gunned-down souls* …

 

Blog comments pop up – but are rare

Thanks for showing that you care;

This is making links big time

I am touched you like my rhyme.

 

With privacy in pride of place

I understand you leave no trace

Of who you are, from whence you came

But I’m flattered all the same.

 

Which brings me to today’s main theme

On gratitude shown through a screen

It means I’ve touched you in some way

So, thank you – you have made my day.

 

The future is not ours to know

But kindness helps us all to grow

So, my thanks for words of praise

Which in this selfish world – amaze!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On December 14th, 15  were shot and many injured oat a Hanakkah event on Bondi Beach by 2 gunmen, one of whom died at the scene.

Christmas Fare Down Under

I think of friends, who far away

Awake to dull, grey skies today

While I am privileged indeed;

Sun brings my morale up to speed!

 

The razzmatazz of Christmas here

In sultry southern hemisphere

A welcome change from snow and rain

Though “made in China” gifts remain!

 

For Christmas fare, those in the know

For cherries and seafood will go.

But chocolate melts and cheeses sweat

So, for treats, what should I get?

 

It’s wine-in-a-box that sells

Though water in great flagons swells

The glasses of invited guests

We dehydrate, so it is best!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025