Pre-Christmas Thoughts

Warm sunny days are wreathed in smiles;

Australia’s otherness beguiles

“G’Day!” is a familiar sound

And tinselled buses snake through town!

 

Grampian mountains* - up in smoke;

The rush to buy gifts frazzles folk

But stress-free – with vast parking spaces

And aircon helps to cool our faces.

 

Rock lobsters, China-bound, resume

The embargo cannot end too soon!

Mounds of prawns form festive fare;

Brawls in Melbourne – sad deaths there …

 

Sports of all kinds flood the news:

Cricket, netball, ‘Walleroos’**;

"Muster Dogs" on outback ranges:

A TV hit how I find strange is!

 

As usual, I feel quite remote

As around me I take note

Of new points of reference

Daily life here - less intense ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* In the N.W. State of Victoria

* *The Australian Women's Rugby Team

Isabella - at Seven!

Cool shades, pink parcel, magic wand

The wings suggest she flies beyond

The dull routine of every day

Eccentricity in play!

 

Why toe the line and just conform?

It’s seven years since she was born;

Assurance beams from deep inside

Isabella is our pride!

 

Well-spoken now, she chats with ease

Making friends she finds a breeze;

My niece has chutzpah*gift in spades

At only seven she persades!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* = Extreme confidence!

Adelaide - New First Impressions

Women’s rugby in the news

Australian sport promotes new views

Strong emphasis on PNG

New football Nation soon-to-be!

Vast heatwave** forecasted, we read;

Asbestos removal – costs exceed

What home owners need to pay:

Snippets on Oz news today.

 

Disoriented, jet-lagged too

I cannot sleep the whole night through;

The food tastes different, left-hand drive

My points of reference denied!

 

Snow-scene Christmas cards on sale

But old traditions have turned stale

As picnic fare for Christmas day

Puts cold turkey on display!

 

This island nation is unique

I adjust to Aussie-speak

Against a background of blue skies

A feast for jaded Northern eyes ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* PNG = Papua New Guinea

** 41°C

The "Wallaaros" were founded in 1993.

Mystery Callers

If someone rings me on fixed phone

And finds that I am not at home

Their number comes up on my screen;

So, I check to see who’s been.

 

Without a message, I am lost

Perhaps a scam call – so it’s tossed;

Friends leave a message – I call back

Because it’s nice to have a chat.

 

If urgent, people call again

Or at the least, leave me their name …

But rogue calls do not float my boat

Robotic dialling is no joke.

 

The red light flashes on my phone

Another number - quite unknown;

Though tempted, I shall not call back;

 The smartest ploy:  do not react! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Thomas Skywalker!

His new horizons filled with stars

Thomas sets his sights on Mars

Or maybe jolly Jupiter?

As the Moon is all we see from here!

 

That space is vast and we’re so small

Is what holds him in deep thrall;

He puzzles over Outer Space;

New habitats for human race?

 

The Greeks and Romans scanned the skies;

Astrology was highly prized

They used the stars to guide their way

Ere telescopes came into play…

 

As doubtless Thomas has found out

The Ancients worked each orbit out;

They conjured up the Milky Way

Advancing maths still used today!

 

Held in two hands - our Galaxy?

Here Outer Space is plain to see!

What a rich-veined science to explore

Soon Thomas will know much, much more! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Nobody Knows ...

Another tram ride on dull day

I gaze at travellers as we sway;

Announcement over Tannoy blares

Route curtailed – hence angry glares.

 

A youth with frizzy hair and hood

Grips hanging-strap in sulky mood;

It occurs to me with ring-in-nose

He attracts attention as he goes…

 

With sneeze and snuffles in the air

Due to cold draughts everywhere

I contemplate this latest fad

Is it weird, or wonderful – or mad?

 

 Piercings now are often seen

In polished silver; how they gleam!

Unfathomed fashion to behold;

I hope he doesn’t catch a cold!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Note for the curious - on Tram 8!

A Tme of Giving?

Rain-splashed punters fill rue Neuve

This urge to over-shop – absurd

Cheap finery the modern goal…

So, Primark queues need crowd control!

 

I gazed at tawdry goods on show;

Perhaps I’m jaded, who’s to know?

As bargains screamed out to be bought

While I a simple sandwich sought.

 

Carrier bags in waves went by

Under an indifferent sky;

The “Haves” and “Have Nots” wide apart

Sad pavement homeless have lost heart…

 

Elsewhere drones kiss young men goodbye

More homes destroyed – who questions why?

And shopping does not fit the bill

Providing only a cheap thrill.

 

Christmas looms; injustice reigns;

 “Peace on earth”, the Church proclaims

But who will put their money where

Those without receive more care?

(c) Poet in the woods 2024