Flying the Flag!

As February dawns this year,
Its arrival makes the message clear
Our little Island breaks away
From the E.U. - from today!

Democracy demands its rights!
Cameron’s* referendum bites
Three PMs hold the reins then go
But nothing stops the BREXIT flow…

Campaigns for ‘in’ and ‘out’ on trade
Are over, as the choice is made
Eleven months to iron out knots
Opportunity now knocks!

Brits are divided, rifts run deep
The red tape nightmare haunts our sleep
Ireland’s border won’t set hard
But the nitty-gritty is ill-starred.

End of an era or new dawn?
We Euro-Brits now feel forsworn
Our Island nation breaks the link
So, will we float or will we sink?

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

* David Cameron British P.M. 2010 - 2016

The Blue Crab Walk - Henley Beach

The sky was iron-grey, the waves white-tipped
All passers-by were buffeted, wind-nipped
The sun, though absent, etched the burnished rocks
The harshness of the climate gently mocks.

Tall Norfolk pines stood proudly on display
Their striking silhouettes against the grey
The square and local shops lacked tourist buzz
But sunshine brings out crowds – it always does!

Few signs of human life - the rain is wetting ...
To “Secrets of the Sea” - a fine-dine setting
Which offered King George Whiting – firm and good,
Barramundi, flathead, gar – all festive food!

Accompanied by white wine - S.A.’s* best
The sea view - peaceful green waves - did the rest!
There are moments one should treasure, such as these
Enjoying Nature’s splendours from the seas!

At Henley Beach the first Olympic pool
Where Thirties’ hopefuls raced and kept their cool
Alas no more but mentioned on a plaque
Its blue-tone starting blocks still by the track.

Here flowers, tough and hardy, come alive
Despite wild weather patterns they survive!
An enterprising artist (maybe more?)
Had personalised the rocks along the shore

With colourful mosaics in bright tones
Depicting Gull and Squid in polished stones
Though Octopus and Dolphin met our gaze
The Blue Crab is the one my memory craves!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

* South Australia

The Australian Psyche

Cakes and kindness in the haze ...
Welcoming Australian ways
People give of their own time
To share, rebuild and offer wine…

The rain is welcome when it comes
And clouds bring smiles, not fits of glums
There’s a friendly network in the Hills*
A laid-back lifestyle – lacking frills.

A tad old-fashioned, but still true
A quiet assurance, through and through
Vast continent which offers much
And hasn’t lost the human touch.

Scattered hamlets, country towns
The buzz of cities, skirting round
Australia, home to wildlife rare,
Has an “otherness” beyond compare!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

* the Adelaide Hills

It Takes Guts!

Praise to fire-fighting volunteers!
They somehow chase away their fears
And risk their lives in Aussie flame
With COURAGE as their middle name!

FEAR and COURAGE stand together;
An interwoven joint endeavour…
Like two children, they run free
While linking hands – it seems to me …

They’re all scared and it takes guts
To wrench themselves from cosy ruts
But often they must take a stand;
Thank God adrenaline’s on hand!

Wild butterflies in stomach hide
But COURAGE makes FEAR step aside
The battle’s joined, they start to act
Knowing they must not back track …

The human spirit soars anew
They know exactly what to do
And FEAR, which blocked them at the start,
Bows out – so COURAGE plays its part!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Kangaroo Island

Oz news! Shocks in fits and starts
A pall of smoke from scattered sparks…
Kangaroo Island glows deep red
Its animals, en masse, lie dead…

Rescue Centres do their stuff
But flames do not abate – it’s tough
Stark tree stumps a grim landscape make
Clouds gather but they come too late.

Today a gentle rain damps down
Pearl-like drops on ashen gown…
But with their habitat laid waste
Koalas uncertainty now face …

(c) Poet in the Woods 2020

The Rift

News filters to the Antipodes
The Firm has faulted and implodes!
Prince Number Two and Archie’s Dad
Wants to step down – this is sad…

Grandmamma is most displeased
She considers how “Noblesse Oblige”
With its pomp paid from the public purse
Means the royal presence must come first …

Wee princeling and his proud Mamma
Have left these shores; the erstwhile star
Is desirous now to make her way
Half time, in the U.S. way.

The senior royals seem quite appalled
So a family enclave has been called
The Establishment is rudely jolted
As their prize filly, wild, has bolted!

Harry, duty-bound, is torn …
Left to face the media storm
The Palace shows its deep displeasure -
A setback for our royal treasure!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Prince Harry, Meghan and Archie

Burn-Out - Australian Style!

More lazy, hazy Aussie days
Induce this somewhat eerie phase
Life seems to flow at gentler pace
But acrid smoke is commonplace…

Scott Morrison, the P.M., caught
On all sides by his critics, fraught;
What could the Government have done
When the Sun is Enemy Number One?

The firemen’s workload is intense
The Army’s called up and Defence
Beleaguered, trapped in walls of flame
A brief respite, then flare-ups gain

The upper hand, as burning sun
Burns more eucalypt and gum…
Australia has a blackened frieze;
Unprecedented times are these!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Thomas Hits a Six!

At Six, dear Thomas, it’s not hard
To read the poem on this card
Our Capricorn’s important date:
Today is January eight!

You start 2020 on a high
Dad’s ”6-shaped” candle, primed, stands by
And the “Six” balloon now makes it clear
That you have entered your 6th year!

You swim, play sport and love new things
Mum’s “Basic Maths” book such joy brings
Each stepping stone you take is right
Your learning fills us with delight!

Not forgotten in your entourage
Your belovèd Grannies, who loom large
And Auntie – all on hand to say:
Enjoy your very special day!

Such talent spiced with cheeky wit
Each question has a point to it;
That enquiring mind means you’ll go far;
In a word, dear Thomas, you’re a star!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Another Heated Argument!

It’s tough to write when it’s so hot
My inspiration seems to stop,
Snooze, dry up, or disappear
Australia suffers so, this year…

As a visitor, it’s hard to grasp
The burning heat which scorches grass,
Burns homes and livestock, crisps up vines,
Decimating wildlife of all kinds.

Vast tracts of land lie devastated
The horror can’t be overstated
Some regions have gone through the worst;
At last! Funds from the public purse!

While many pray for summer rains,
Insurers brace themselves for claims
As a cyclone sweeps the North West Coast,
Down in the South East, we all roast!

Australia – land of wild extremes
The end of many farmers’ dreams …
Drama on a massive scale
The “Lucky Country” starts to quail!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Smoke Screen!

This New Year starts amid fierce flames
Crackling embers scorch the plains
Blackened tree stumps, burnt-out homes
Precious livestock - just bare bones …

Smoke-filled highways, roadblocks, dust
Tourists travel, if they must
But diesel tankers can’t get through
So queues of thirsty cars accrue…

Non-ending Sodom and Gomorrah
Devastating scenes of horror
Wrath of God or Man-wrought plight
As midday morphs to darkest night …

Test match cricket grounds in smoke
Apprehensive players choke;
Oz life takes on an eerie feel
We pinch ourselves – but no, it’s real …

(c) Poet in the woods 2020