Where Women Glow!

My Muse goes AWOL in the heat

When every day the sun I greet

I try but fail to find new themes

Is this what retirement means ?

 

With ne’er a cloud in peerless sky

All laundry in no time is dry

While aircon hums like sleepy bee

I just read books or make Mum tea.

 

« News Breakfast » TV : Middle East

Humanitarian needs increase ;

Here in Oz sharp rental hike

Disgruntled Aussies go on strike !

 

Moisturising body cream

Protects and adds a vital sheen

So, why wear make-up in this heat ?

Beware gnarled cracks in sandalled feet !

 

Slow pace of life in torrid times

Where loose clothing now defines

The Southern chic so, I obey;

Forgotten - winter’s northern grey !

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Australia Day - a Meditation

Australia, land of sharp contrasts,

Where settlers, from a myriad pasts

Made new lives in rough terrain

Beset by droughts, deluged by rain!

 

The poor First Nation had no voice

Those who were born here had no choice

But to accept the White Man’s Law

Their lives quite different from before…

 

Where sheep and gold were common sights

Injustice, land grabs, lack of rights

Lay hidden in “Australia Fair”

But they were here before – so there!

 

Now multi-culti through and through

Though Aussie “Citizens” * are new,

On this, Australia Day, we meet

In harmony, not to compete.

 

As Tamworth** festival now ends

I learn of weird, non-music trends:

So, I am happy to report

Thong-tossing***  - brand-new national sport!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

 * Official Australian Citizesnhip ceremonies began in 1949

** 10- day Musical Festival held in Tamworth, New South Wales.

*** This consists of throwing a flip-flop as far as it will go - with a  prize for the winner!

Note: Australia Day is 26th January.

Mid-January Bulletin

Seen from the South, one’s focus shifts

With every day my view sun-kissed

Pacific Rim takes pride of place

As here the news is Asia-based.

 

The TDU or ‘Tour Down Under’

Makes the headlines - cycling wonder!

 Melbourne’s Tennis “hits” the spot

And “Footie” reigns supreme … or not!

Climate change much talked about

Crops destroyed by rain and drought …

Floods cause power line distress,

Bushfire plans put to the test!

 

Now biting fire-ants come on stream!

Food and rental costs – obscene!

On pristine beaches – not a soul

Suntans perhaps a lethal goal!

 

Just another snapshot of my week

Where tubs of ice cream reach their peak …

But a cute koala up a tree

Brought home Australia to me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Over-Heated?

With heatwave promised, we lie low

All daily chores reduced to “slow”;

And with hopes of sport receding

Time to catch up on our reading!

 

Pavements scorch like red-hot coals!

Without aircon, the bell tolls

For many who, advanced in years,

Scarcely budge from deep armchairs.

 

Vast shopping malls and quaint arcade

Provide temptation and cool shade

While hardened Aussies work outdoors

Rugged up against the sun that soars!

 

Great nature parks are everywhere

But such extremes make visits rare;

No need to face the glare each time

With admin services on line!

 

Cold showers help the day to start

But heat, like cold, keeps folks apart.

As storms and floods make daily news

Dilemma - what clothes should we choose?

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Some Wild Happenings!

Boy mauled by crocodile! - makes news

In well-warmed waters at Top End”;

In temperate Tassie, please wear shoes

Brown snakes* are ever- present, Friend!

 

Beware of termite-Fests at home

With timbers brittle to the touch;

Wildlife prowls - you’re not alone

But ants flee aircon pretty much!

 

To foreign eyes, the heat’s intense

One tiny spark may start a fire

With corrugated roof and fence

In no time hellish funeral pyre!

 

Down Under, Man’s touch seems so slight

Buildings are not made to last;

 Here trenchant views - both black and white

Reflect a much-tormented past!

(c) Poet in the woods 1924

* The brown snake can be lethal

Frederik's Mermaid!

Crown Prince of Denmark travelled far;

To visit Sydney on The Rocks;

A chance encounter in a bar

And for a moment, his heart stops!

 

Olympic Games had set the scene

The world had flown in to take part

For Tassie Mary, to be queen

Was unimagined at the start.

 

Yet Fate moves in mysterious ways;

The “Slip Inn” now can celebrate

 Dashing Frederik’s new phase;

Here was was the site of their first date.

 

Her Hobart childhood left behind

She now resides in royal style

The Danes towards her have been kind:

Most famous Aussie – by a mile!

 

The modest pawn takes the Queen’s* place

In terms of chess - a winning stroke

Post abdication, change of pace ...

Regina Mary is bespoke!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Queen Margrethe, mother of Frederik, abdicated on 14.1.2024

In Sunny January Mood

With the heat turned up, the days dream by

Under endless cloudless sky…

One’s busy mantra falls asleep;

The urge to meditate is deep.

 

Faced now with surplus end-year sales

And all the trauma this entails

It seems a good time to take stock

And consider what we’ve got!

 

The urge to buy more “stuff” isn’t there

I am not tempted; should I care?

But Nature’s haunting beauty thrills

Up in Adelaide’s cool hills!

 

Farmers here are over-wrought

Dramatic floods make them distraught;

Across the board they count the cost

As carefully tended crops are lost.

 

So, meeting friends for “Morning Tea”

In the suburbs seems to me

A pleasant interlude for some;

Who cares if nothing else gets done?

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

A typical Australian Morning Tea - with cakes and pastries!

 

Thomas Turns Ten!

Monday* dawns - our lad turns ten

Thomas, who loves maths, stays zen!

This birthday has a special ring

With double digits his new thing!

 

Growing taller, more at ease

Thomas thinks golf is a breeze

At mini-golf down West Beach way

His Hole-in-One blew Dad away!

 

Solving puzzles floats his boat

He likes to think; can be remote

But also has a lively side

Taking Isabella in his stride!

 

As Auntie, who flies South again

I see great change to now from then

This sharp young chap reflects more spark;

Has greater knowledge to impart!

 

First birthday in our family year

When summer holidays are here!

All present to congratulate

Thomas on his double-date!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

  *8th January, 2024

Some Hot Thoughts!

Phew! Floods - then fires - then angry rains

But scarce a droplet on the plains

Resilient plants get some relief

As water bores flow underneath.

 

We all wear hats, this is no fad

As burning-to-a-crisp feels bad.

Australia is one tough school

Hence many here have their own pool!

 

Fruit bowl décor tempts pesky flies

Hence fridges here are all king-size!

Fresh veggies look good but soon spoil

In no time butter turns to oil!

 

Aussies, rich or poor, have wheels;

Try walking and see how it feels

With ultraviolet rays a threat

You must protect your ears and neck!

 

So, stay indoors with curtains closed;

For those of advanced years, a doze

In cosy chair with aircon blast

Helps sultry afternoons to pass…

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Adelaide