On Summer

Apollo is a trendy dude

His radiant splendour cheers our mood

Solar energy is life food!

Warm June is here!

Those brilliant sunsets are a treat

Long soirées: time to meet and greet;

Where artists painted fields of wheat*

In midnight clear.

 

This bright light makes our worries fade

Chase out those dark thoughts that invade;

Why stand forever in the shade?

Embrace bright gold!

Think picnics, BBQ delights;

The magic of long, starry nights*

When we put the world to rights;

Hope's stance is bold!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*  Inspiration: "Starry, Starry Night"" a tribute song to Vincent Van Gogh by Neil Diamond (1974)

Phoebus's chariot!

Sworn to Secrecy!

Kissed by lapping waves, the creek

Boasts trees that grip the cliff edge steep;

Two islands, fringed in powder blue,

Complete, from rocky beach, the view.

 

The Nanaimo ferry ploughs its way

While sailing ships and speedboats play

Forming white crests in their wake;

Nearby, some keen-eyed crows debate

 

Perched on a weathered log or two,

Whether fish are passing through

As where the river meets the sea

Tasty titbits swim, carefree!

 

Four crows at water’s edge now fight;

A seaplane passes within sight.

Above, the sky’s pure herringbone …

Then a human voice – we’re not alone!

 

Brief greeting; we stare out to sea

Enjoying this tranquillity…

Sweet ducklings on waves bob and sway

With proud Mamma, this warm June day.

 

Where am I? I’ve sworn not to tell

Although the locals know it well…

As this is one of Nature’s finds

Where waves caress our troubled minds!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

Somewhere in British Columbia, Canada ...

Eating Out - Canadian Style

It’s fun to sample yummy things

Like curly fries and chicken wings

Or a local burger at “Five Guys”;

Blue ice cream flavours* – a surprise!

 

“Same, same, but different” is the theme

As the Chinese presence on the scene

Means English spoken in new guise:

See “Shiny Tea” and cheese fruit pies!

 

Good wine is costly by the glass

But Canada’s bacon is first class!

Vast portion size means much is wasted;

Tap water though, the best I’ve tasted!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* bubble gum and blue raspberry!

 Curly fries

Chinese-run Tea stall, Richmond, British Colombia

Vancouver - a Bird's Eye View

June promised sunshine and much more

But clouds hang dark on North Van shore;

While ski slopes show through wooded green

And impressive mountains loom and screen

 

The delta valley from blue skies;

Dramatic vistas of high-rise

From fish and logging long ago

Vancouver, hard-nosed, on the go.

 

With oriental influence strong

One is reminded of Hong Kong,

Vast parking lots at each big mall:

Cars are a must in city sprawl…

 

Here, wealth and prestige dominate

So, no surprise - shops open late!

But parks and gardens calm lost souls

Whose hearts are set on higher goals.

 

To avoid the rush hour, work on line;

From upper floors – sunsets divine!

This city is the place to be

When you’re on holiday – like me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Down town Vancouver

Dark Thoughts

I look for light these troubled times

As inspiration for my rhymes

But bad news tends to dominate;

What is this world we now create?

 

New leaders come upon the stage

Recalling times that still enrage;

With the D.T.* lobby in the wings

We ponder roundabouts and swings!

 

Thin ice, as climate change pervades

South-East Asia – under waves?

Mask-wearing now so déjà vu

But is life safe – for me and you?

 

Millennials seem smug, content

With their computer lives now spent

Through screens, on-line, and all alone

Contact reduced to mobile phone …

 

Meanwhile, the glaciers drop away…

Bush fires - the order of the day?

Floods, tsunamis, rental hikes …

Is Armageddon in our sights?

 (c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Donald Trump

Kite Flying in Garry Point Park

On a sunny day with friend in tow

It’s fun to share and take life slow

Our world is ruled by ticking clock

So, when we take time out, it’s not.

 

From grassy knoll we launch our kite

The wind picks up, we’ve timed it right

Its bold design unfolds, floats high

Its streamers, bright red ribbons, fly!

 

The teasing, playful wind pulls taut

In offshore thermal it is caught

It bobs and dips then swoops again

With the slightest touch upon the rein!

 

Thrills and excitement are the norm

Pure joy distilled in simple form

It dances, twists and turns with ease

Intoxicated by the breeze!

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Garry Point Park is in Steveston, Vancouver

Australia's Poshest Dunny

Australia’s poshest dunny*

Has a loo with golden lid;

Fresh flowers pink and blossomy

 ‘gainst a mural nicely did!

 

A 299 train steams ahead

Past a top-hatted guy

They must be flush with money

A try and you’ll see why!

 

Who says we don’t move with the times,

Our old thrones to update?

The local council’s gone full out

To make our visit great!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* located at Westpoint Shopping Centre in Blacktown, NSW

This is a typical  "Arty Dunny"

Round West and North Vancouver

An excursion, tailor-made, was mine

To North Vancouver shore

Far from the city’s busy hum

More delights to explore.

 

Grouse Mountain: awe-inspiring, cold

With endless pine-tree slopes

Whose cable car rides quickly sold

To stupendous views, one hopes!

 

For mist swirls often round the peak

As summer days are short

With just a few days clear each week

Such views are dearly bought!

 

Capilano reservoir - serene

Vast dam since Fifty-Four

Its valley worn by river flood

Skirts rocks and ferns galore.

 

Lone fisherman seen on a rock

In quiet meditation;

Two kayakers who fail to stop

Cause tourists consternation!

 

Boardwalks, bridges, stunning sights

Round every twist and bend;

Ambleside with logs on beach

And “Whole Foods” organic trend.

 

West Van view of Lions’ Gate

Down town seems far away;

For “The Tomahawk” we came too late …

In all, a busy day!

The Tomahawk Restaurant - West Vancouver

The Capilano River with lookout Point

Not an Open and Shut Case

Flying round the world is fine

Assuming you have cash and time

Broadening each traveller’s mind …

Why was my suitcase left behind?

 

I’m sure I checked my luggage through

All carefully labelled as you do

But sad to say, Pacific side

My suitcase failed to hitch a ride …

 

Vancouver - at Lost Luggage Claim

I diligently gave my name

It took a while; I’m not best pleased;

Airline travel ain’t a breeze!

 

Bereft with just one set of clothes

For six days I would wear just those!

But miracles do come to pass

Relief when it was brought at last.

 

I’m not impressed; should I complain?

Should I fly QANTAS once again?

But with my treasures back with me

Perhaps I should just let things be …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

At Vancouver International Airport

Impressions of Vancouver

Long avenues and numbered roads

Vancouver’s grid, two-tiered abodes

Imposing bridges jammed with cars

Impressive skyline under stars …

 

High-rise condos, dark, tall trees

Parking difficult – high fees

Gastown with its brick-laid streets

Classy venues; spicy eats…

 

The landmark steam clock gives us pause

Near chic Pacific Centre’s doors

While squatters invade Hastings Street

Where sad and homeless people meet...

 

City of contrasts, rich and poor

Botanic gardens to explore

Granville Island in the sun

Boardwalk pleasures, seagull fun…

 

Construction sites, huge building cranes,

High-Occupancy-Vehicle lanes

Sea Island where the planes descend

Richmond for those with cash to spend …

 

Wide roads, bold maples, red and green

The place to be when sun is seen

But do not come here in November

Where rain is what you’ll most remember!

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

The Steam Clock in downtown Vancouver

  

Steveston - British Columbia

Low clouds float right across the bay

The Fraser River, strong and grey

Where sands and rocks show at low tide

From Garry Point Park, Nature’s pride.

 

Memorial to those lost at sea

Heritage site – a cannery

Where sockeye salmon breathed their last …

But such exciting days are past.

 

Steveston - a mere four blocks wide

Where Vancouver people like to drive

For fresh air, postcards, fish and chips

Boardwalk pleasures, one-day trips …

 

Bird life stunning, seagull cries

Sun-dried logs on every side

Ski-slope signs on mountain slopes

In the harbour, bobbing boats …

 

A tug, bright yellow, breaks the spell

Offshore winds mean kites fly well

A laid-back life style far from stress

And, at the moment, my new nest!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

Stirling in Autumn

A wreath of mist cloaks road and stream

Round Stirling in its autumn sheen

A mass of colour in main street

As burnished leaves lie at our feet.

 

The “Essential Café” had a buzz;

We ordered coffee – as one does

With a “babycino” for the lad

So, a milky froth by all was had!

 

Round the Worrabunda Lake nearby

We heard a kookaburra’s cry

Moorhens and coots caught by surprise

As sunlight pierced the leaden skies.

 

Our meander through this leafy glad

In photos cannot be portrayed

As Nature’s hand is plain to see

In the timeless wonder of each tree!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

At the Essential Café in the Adelaide Hills

The "babycino"