A Moody Piece

A change of scene, of hemisphere

In Routine ‘s curtain, makes a tear

My mundane actions lose their bite

And attitudes change – overnight.

 

Winter months – in summer sun!

A change of mood, alternate fun

Not “upside down” but way-off-beam

In short, an otherworldly dream …

 

The fear of bushfires is intense

Cyclone damage is immense

But smiles can often make my day

Conferring warmth to my brief stay.

 

Australia seems so surreal;

Encapsulating how I feel

Depends perhaps on weather news

With little rain, how I enthuse!

 

Europe’s footprint here is light

My reference points are out of sight

But this land of settlers, history-scarce

Never fails to prompt my verse!

(c) Poet the woods 2024

Aborigine Dreamtime

Adoption - Australian Style!

In an outback town in far N.T.*

Peacocks and Peahens tend to be

A “Beautiful-But-Big” invasion

Who settle here sans invitation!

 

Town Elliott in consternation,

Hits nature headlines in this Nation

Out of all proportion to its size -

As this bird threat is on the rise!

 

Though a tourist pull, the residents

(All 287) are incensed

But these feral lovelies do not care

Bequeathing droppings everywhere!

 

Their high-pitched squawks now cause unrest

It’s not “No worries!” -  they’re a pest;

They’re bold and feisty, ruffle feathers

And thwart the townsfolks’ best endeavours!

 

So, the Mayor, McLaughlin, has a scheme

Perhaps a brand-new outback dream?

“Adopt a Peacock!” he intones

All can have one in their homes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Northern Territory

A splendiferous peacock!

Beyond the Fringe

The heat is on, in every sense

The urge to snooze midday – intense

But chores and shopping must be done

And fridges filled to kingdom come!

 

A fruit bowl décor is not wise

Opportunistic are Oz flies!

In no time clothes become bone dry

But elastic rots – undies bye! bye!

 

Shopping mall – aircon full blast

Otherwise, we sweat so fast!

And as for plants – they gasp for rain;

Watering - a daily strain!

 

A tiny gecko whizzes past

Ants nibble toes in the long grass;

Fire’s a risk – as many trees

Shed their leaves in slightest breeze.

 

Monsoon rains lash the Top End

Will Perth’s scorching summer end?

While Adelaide greets festive Fringe

And parkland crowds go on a binge!

 

‘Festival State’ on number plates;

Stand-Up comedy, debates

Concerts, music, cabaret

What wealth of talent on display!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

 The Adelaide Fringe: 16th February - 17th March, 2024

Under Pressure ...

The pressure mounts, world tension rises

From Middle East come bad surprises;

Dried up is that pool of calm

Our ‘qui-vive’ blocked in mode ‘alarm’.

 

Does life, dear Readers, still make sense?

I would not wish to cause offence

But everywhere the newsreels turn

Lie harsh lessons we must learn…

 

Injustice, violence and crime

Upset our joie de vivre – big time

Horrors roll out and increase;

Where can poor souls now find peace?

 

Good news rarely makes the cut;

As fear and drama and bad luck

Beset our human kind in waves

Conclusion: no one now behaves…

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

A Matter for Concern

Sweet February does its best

To be positive, unstressed

But with fewer days to shine

It’s Sturm and Drang most of the time!

 

I wonder – must we follow news?

The Media spotlights tragic views;

Climate change we can’t correct

But human folly floods the Net!

 

Those in power stir the pot;

How can voters* stop the rot?

Flotsam and jetsam on life’s wave

Common sense is what we crave…

 

Angst, that clever German word,

Describes our modern world absurd;

The thought we cannot rule events

Is what makes us humans tense …

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* e.g. at the November 2024 US Presidential Election

A Dilemma - in the Making ...

World politics – a checkerboard

With hidden moves oft untoward;

Elections just past or to come

Keep smart pundits on the run.

 

A Greek philosopher* once said

Be careful whom you choose as head

Think awhile, don’t lose your nerve

You get the leaders you deserve!

 

In the highest echelons of power

Corruption eats away truth’s flower;

Two candidates across the Pond

Delude us, each with magic wand…

 

There comes a time when memory loss

Can disqualify a boss

Yet with a trump card in the mix

This will prove no easy fix!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Plato

At the "Friendly Street Poets" Event

A Monday eve in CBD*

A new adventure on the spree

In Adelaide, down shady street

Where like-minded poets meet.

 

Born back in 1975

The ‘Friendly Street Poets’ thrive

And hold a monthly « open mike »

In Regent Street on Monday night.

 

I did not know what to expect

But many keen types here connect

With fellow poets - all instilled

With love of words – and I was thrilled!

 

Up winding staircase, warehouse style

At six p.m. the rank and file

All armed with sheaves of penned delights,

Attempt to put the world to rights.

 

First names only ; cheers for those

Who capture precious moods in prose;

We’ve just three mins to make our mark

At Number 9, I too take part.

 

Quite unknown, I happened by

Life surprises - on the fly;

A chance encounter, brain food fun:

Thanks for my moment in the sun !

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Central Business District

With convenor Susan O'Brien