Glimpses on Brighton Beach

Good omen – no clouds in the sky!

Australia stays warm and dry

So, what a lucky bird am I

To bathe in sun;

On Brighton Jetty – firework show

For seven minutes:“ Comme c’est beau!”

Spectators all with eyes aglow

Had family fun.

 

A few police strolled through the crowd

No alcohol on beach allowed

Though children “ooh’ed” and “aah’ed” out loud:

Stunning display!

Families sit on rugs, share treats;

Against the Norfolk pines one greets

Neighbours in the nearby streets

Parked far away…

 

Here, in the southern hemisphere

Outstanding sunsets, balmy air

As star-filled skies are never rare,

There’s space to breathe;

No snow, no mulled wine, no brash sales

Perhaps a small ship with full sails

In gentle breeze, not howling gales

As last year leaves …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

A Word on Carpe Diem

This troubled year draws to a close …

With its share of ebbs and flows;

As we look back, let us reflect

How life takes place on Internet!

 

Nostalgia posts flood FB site

Some see the past in rosy light

But every age has good and bad

And not all memories are sad.

 

We cannot un-wish lives we’ve led

Or bite back harsh words we have said

Believe in karma – it is real

And helps to govern how we feel…

 

Do I make sense this New Year’s Eve?

The future has tricks up its sleeve;

Though we can’t know what will unfold

As politics runs hot and cold…

 

Earthlings – Mother Nature rules!

And despite Man’s high-tech tools

We must accept that lives are short

Hence Carpe Diem is my thought!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

 

Keep your Eyes Peeled!

Shark attack off Brisbane Coast*!

Which swimmers often fear the most;

It doesn’t happen every day

But always ruins a holiday!

 

Lost in seas of deepest blue

The oceans tempt but frighten too

Each golden beach a paradise

But offshore, what lurks isn’t nice!

 

Vast open spaces, empty roads

Behold the arid Antipodes

Where Europeans made their home

Its strangeness soon became their own …

 

A pot pourri, a melting pot

Where sports of all kinds hit the spot

Here Life is mostly lived outdoors

Too hot for fur-trimmed Santa Claus!

 

Its other worldliness delights;

Its star-filled heavens seen at night

Away from urban conurbations

Remind us life has limitations ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* A 41 year old man killed by a shark off Keppel Islands, Queensland

The State of Play on December 28th

The pavement where the leaves collect

And bins are lined up, is now wet

While bushfires rage out of control

And for deaths at sea, bells toll…

 

The Sydney-Hobart annual race

Which on Boxing Day takes place

Has been by sadness underscored:

Two yachtsmen lost - swept overboard…

 

Though sport takes lion’s share of news

In South Korea – conflicting views

Impeachment cries have now begun:

Its leaders topple - one by one…

 

Domestic violence crimes are rife

Road crashes lead to loss of life …

High cost of living, sales galore

Australia is this – and more!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Boxing Day Aftermath

 Recycling bins now overflow;

That ripped-up gift wrap has to go

With plastic packaging and glass

Remnants now of Christmas Past …

 

Although the hurly-burly’s done

We swelter under torrid sun;

Few are the cars out on the road

Aircon is bliss in one’s abode!

 

The Church bells rang, the faithful came

But religion plays a modest game …

Crowds blocked at airports on the Eve

A computer hiccup I believe…

 

Christmas TV – winter scenes

Strange indeed when hot sun beams;

Prawns and cherries – de rigueur

And fruit pavlovas everywhere!

 

What passes for champagne is poured;

Sliced ham and turkey and cheese board;

Traditional mince pies make the cut

Of luscious fruit – amazing glut!

 

Though Down Under gets scant rain,

It deserves its ‘Lucky Country’ name!

Its blue skies thrill my northern eyes

Though bushfires threaten countless lives…

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Prans and cherry dish

The Underside of Christmas

It’s Christmas Day; now let me see

If I can play a part

Around the world my rhymes run free

But will they touch your heart?

 

I think of those who are alone

Or miss a loved one dear

Or those displaced who have no home

And live in constant fear…

 

To them bright lights and tinselled joy

May have a hollow sound

While others welcome God’s small boy

With shepherds all around ...

 

A time of excess, bonhomie

In which small kids delight

Around a baubled Christmas Tree

While those who grieve sit tight …

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Drowning - a Hot Topic!

As it hasn’t rained for ages

In the Grampians, the fire blazes

Torching undergrowth that’s dry

Once caught, small flames reach for the sky!

 

At Summer‘s peak, this fact of life

Is a constant source of strife;

With rainclouds not on radar yet

Leaf-littered gutters pose a threat…

 

Bold Northern wind fans tiny sparks

And in a flash a new fire starts!

De rigueur - suncream and hat;

But laundry dries in minutes flat!

 

This “Island Nation”* loves the sea

December:  families on the spree

Spending hours by sandy beaches

But death by drowning often features …

 

We Europeans, sun-deprived,

Love old Sol, but must contrive

To treat his fierce rays with respect

The skincare watchword is “Protect!”

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* Australia, of course!

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 persuades!

(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