If All goes up in Smoke ...

At times we need to pause awhile

Turn off that ever-glowing dial

Of our Smart phone, banish stress,

Consider living with much less …

 

Who wants more gadgets to procure?

Aggressive adverts are no lure;

Do I really need to see

Alerts from Facebook? Leave me be!

 

I take a walk, admire the trees;

Such precious moments - I need these

To restore the peace I lack,

And put my troubled soul on track.

 

Is this an age thing? I confess

In Nature I find happiness;

Plus - joy in sharing with a friend

A good book - will never end!

 

In bushfires you can lose it all

But helped by neighbours, you walk tall;

What matters, when you boil it down

Are friends, not shopping trips in town!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Politics - Across the Board!

Is Politics akin to Chess?

Viz: clever moves that may attest

An agenda hidden in plain view;

From Pawn to King is nothing new!

 

Two steps forward, then a slide

In which direction will they ride?

Is all Black or White? I fear

Shades of grey are ever near.

 

Anticipating who goes where

Though each starts in allotted square;

Yet,  unexpected moves may bring

A seismic shift – not a bad thing!

 

Jostling ‘pawns’ form options new

Opposing players may win through

With actions dubious, smart, effete …

Each Nation’s ‘chessboard’ is unique!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

At the River Sturt Linear Park

A dear friend leads me down a glade;

The sun’s rays burn, we seek some shade

By sleepy creek bestrewn with rocks

Whose background murmur never stops…

 

New South Oz Park by River Sturt

Where birds in muted colours lurk

Splashing in this shallow stream;

By palm fronds framing all in green!

 

On water’s edge, homes reached by steps;

Below, crisp leaf debris collects;

These lofty eucalypts impose

In myriad forms, majestic shows!

 

Bridges, boardwalks – splendid views

Roofed resting spots to sit and muse …

On our way we came upon

Welsh immigrants with dog called Ffion!

 

A moment shared in soulful peace

Happiness on a short lease!

This, the River Sturt's new Park*

Has found a place deep in my heart!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Located in Mitcham, it opened in 1993.

Isabella's Hat-Trick!

All unbeknownst, my hat is stolen!

Once again, the camera’s rollin’

As Isabella plans her pose;

Picture-perfect; she just knows!

 

Mummy’s taste in clothes is sweet

Today, the blue dress looks a treat

So Auntie simply can’t resist

Her niece’s smile – warm and sun-kissed!

 

It reminds me of time long ago

When the pace of life was slow

 And “Miss Pear’s” Soap ads* caught our eye

Skin care luxury to try!

 

We marvel at our feisty Miss

Who puts on fashion a new twist;

My old, worn sunhat looks brand-new

Thanks, of course, to you-know-who!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* These ads were popular from 1958 ...

 

In Adelaide's Botanic Gardens

A simple tram ride takes you there;

North Terrace high rise buildings glare

Their window panes caught in sun’s rays

Admission free – I am amazed!

 

Beyond its entrance, all is calm;

A couple walk by, arm-in-arm;

I spot two ladies* brightly clad

A lawyer and a teacher, glad

 

To pass the time of day with me;

Birds chatter in a nearby tree;

The white pavilion on a rise

A kind of folly in disguise…

 

Vast palm trees wave in lush profusion

A duck-filled lake in quiet seclusion

Shady paths, discrete, edged neat

What an enchanting place to meet!

 

Artworks are sometimes here displayed;

None seen this visit, I’m afraid!

Instead, we met and dined in style

Putting life on hold awhile …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* For Gay and Jo

The Palm House is an exquisite, painstakingly restored Victorian glasshouse imported from Bremen, Germany in 1875.  The gardens were inaugurated in 1855.

Brighton Jetty Sculptures

The Tour Down Under fills sports news;

Clad in Lycra, scenic views

As peddle-pushers pit their skills

Up Adelaide’s amazing hills.

 

Slight breezes cool – it’s hot outdoors

At Mount Lofty, cyclists pause

One biker “Eddy Merckx” displays:

A touch of Belgium in heat haze!

 

Meanwhile, amazing artworks stare

On Brighton’s sandy thoroughfare:

Bold dolphin “Snowflake” made me start;

Two yellow blooms – surrealist art?

 

One feature though, amused me most

Called “feathered cyclists” at this coast:

Gull, Puffin and a Penguin ride

Streamlined, flat out, side by side! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

"Snowflake" the Dolphin - crafted out of scrap metal by Axel Klem

"Sunshine bloom"- crafted by Chris Murphy

Made of steel and cardboard by Tom Buckland,  these wacky and whimsical "feathered cyclists" share humour, ecology, and the joy of cycling at Brighton, South Australia.

Errare Humanum Est!

Go on, admit it, life is tough

Time-poor, we have had enough

Of crazy politics and stuff

Which rocks our boat;

Such drama takes a myriad forms;

On life’s chessboard, we are pawns;

Constant weeds spoil our dream lawns -

Fear - less remote …

 

Abroad, at home or just next door

Raids and riots lie in store

Like sport, we try to guess the score

So much - unknown;

But Power and Greed go hand-in-hand

As Man’s worst enemy is Man,

Conciliation a vain plan

Peace flags un-flown …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

 

Overheated!

Parched grasslands threaten to catch fire

We’re overdressed in pants and bra!

Cute gecko crossing backdoor step

Some shady spot keen to detect…

 

Clay courts at Melbourne’s Open roast

The world’s inferno? No mean boast!

Cold water pipes in fierce sun bake,

To Hell with chores - they all can wait!

 

More torrid outside than within;

To sleep “perchance to dream” is in!

Those wayward flies get frequent flick,

My fingers to the keyboard stick!

 

It’s a witches’ cauldron scene down here

The Aussie weathermen declare.

Where ‘Hot as Hell’ takes on real meaning;

While at the Top End, it is teeming!

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Wilting!

Plants wilt in heat;* we humans too

But this, Down Under, isn’t new!

Peerless blue skies, lack of shade

No wonder people’s nerves are frayed.

 

Forget the gardening or the shops

Stop outside tasks – like watering pots!

Now’s not the time for heavy chores

With aircon on, just stay indoors.

 

While Europe braces for more snow

A daily walk is a no-no

A dawn stroll with one’s dog is fine

But best to go out before nine!

 

Most habitat is tinderbox

Even snakes hide under rocks;

In minutes, laundry is bone dry …

Hatless and your brains may fry!

 

The freezer, choc-à-bloc with food

In every household, fits the mood

As no one cooks from scratch – too hard

A new experience for this Bard! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* on 25-26 Jan 2026 = 45°C

Snippets on 'News Breakfast'!

New Zealand landslide *– heavy rains!

Wrecked campsite – death a couple claims…

Nature’s vengeance unrelenting

Means more campers lose their tenting!

 

“News Breakfast” on the ABC:

Daily climate update spree!

Extreme warnings: floods, bushfire

As summer heatwaves can be dire.

 

Some quirky items make the cut:

The corpse flower** “Titan Arum” stuck

In my mind, as when in bloom

Its stink can quickly clear a room!

 

“Lady Gaga” here is python white

To visitors - a rare zoo sight;

Today’s news: she is to retire***

While Tamworth**** "roper” skills inspire!

 

A cull of pesky cane toads planned*****;

While “Hate Law” politics is damned;

Today’s new capsule of Oz news

All grist to my cheeky Muse!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2026

* At Mount Maunganui, North Island

** In Adelaide Botanic Garden

*** From NT Wildlife Park

**** At annual Country Music Festival held at Tamworth, NSW

***** This invasive species threatens Australia's native Quoll - a carnivorous marsupial

Casper - the Corpse Flower

Shark Bytes on the News!

 This heat evokes strong urge to swim:

What a temptation! We jump in

To cool off in the ocean brine;

Though this could be for the last time!

 

Today - horrific prime time news!

Top item getting massive views

At Manly Beach disaster strikes

In murky waters three shark bites!

 

Devoted lifeguards who are trained

See life-changing wounds sustained

By souls who are still unaware

That they the sea with sharks may share!

 

For Sydneysiders a sad day

Incautious swimmers - juicy prey

To hungry predators who roam

Just out of sight, lost in the foam…

 

Drones on shark watch scan the waves

 In place: red flags and barricades

But human nature is perverse:

So, risk-takers come off worse …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

News flash 20.1.2026 - 4th Shark attack in Sydney!

2nd news flash - the 12 year old boy has died of his wounds in hospital...

Musing on the Dreamtime!

When things do not go their way,

Humans rebel; what can I say?

It all depends which cards are dealt:

Injustice fuels moods deeply felt…

 

Oz climate is top news this week

Both floods and bushfires havoc wreak;

Koalas now breed in profusion*

To cull them, though, a vain illusion…

 

Heatwaves mean fruit fails to last

While butter turns to oil too fast!

Milk curdles on the breakfast table;

Oz freezers work to keep food stable!

 

Some lucky friends have swimming pool

For others, showers keep them cool;

Thus, more in daytime than at night

To doze, perchance to dream, seems right!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* The concern is that they will deplete their natural habitat.

Observations in Mid-January

Turbulence in many places,

Ethics are put through their paces;

Riots, bushfires, floods are clues

To what is making today’s news.

 

We learn of Nuuk* in frozen north …

Talk of invasion and so forth;

All this has a disquieting ring

What changes will this new year bring?

 

Great Ocean Road – torrential rains

Bushfires rage – huge livestock claims

Caravans get washed away!

New “Anti-Hate” laws cause dismay.

 

Mid-summer so all schools are closed

Kids’ antics keep Mums on their toes

Sunhats and suncream still a must…

Native gardens dry as dust!

 

This Southern world needs different norms:

Glaring sun then sudden storms;

It’s tough to know just what to wear

Bright colours though, are everywhere!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* The capital of Greenland which belongs to Denmark

Colourful crowds at the annual Tamworth Music Festival

Welcome to Vietnam!

How is it Vietnam found my blog

With many hits*, not just a nod?

My readers escalate worldwide

This makes me feel all warm inside!

 

My site now reaches teenage years

Where it expresses hopes and fears

Recounting life in mocking tone

But NO A.I. – the words mine own!

 

Each day I lightly scan the news:

Odd happenings evoke my Muse.

Attracted to my comments wry

My blog tracks all those passing by!

 

My poems offer mental food;

No deep thoughts, just a teasing mood;

If curious, you call again;

As being serious is a pain!

 

Ennui is what we hate the most

So, let’s be upbeat, roller-coast;

A moment out-of-time I pen

Enjoy my words and please – stay zen!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* 659 hits in 24 hours!

Auntie is Challenged!

 'Hands-on’ Auntie in this heat

Struggles to keep calm and sweet!

With interruptions on the go

Private time is a no-no!

 

Surveillance switch remains full on

Now that Mum and Dad are gone,

Enjoying each in their own way

Time off - a blessing they both say!

 

We’re on the spree, fun shopping trip;

Uneven pavement; small feet slip!

Responsibilities soon set

As gnarled tree roots present a threat!

 

Isabella holds my hand

While Thomas, proud - almost a man

Shows that he can take control

Of shopping trolley – thoughtful soul!

 

This addition to my repertoire

Is filled with joy and can inspire

A range of Aussie patterns new

Perhaps indeed, an ode or two!

 

My childhood memories are sieved …

Strange recalling lost youth lived;

But modern times mean A.I. tools

Fast forward needing on-line rules!

 

Clear discipline remains a must;

As adults we must earn kids’ trust:

Be firm, stay friendly, climb new ropes

So, they will learn to cope – one hopes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

 

Our Capricorn Lad turns Twelve!

 In my Memory Bank I delve ...

Thomas hits the skids at twelve!

Still boyish in so many ways

Cup-stacking* is his latest craze.

 

A Scouts award with friends around

His maths potential – sharp and sound

Primary school now left behind

With a smart uniform to find!

 

An Aussie sport he too likes best

Is cricket and “The Ashes” test!

He cultivates his own world view;

How many hoops will he jump through?

 

Next term he’ll take the train to school

This independence he finds cool!

So, how should Auntie this date mark?

With a day trip to Adventure Park!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* a fast-paced sport where individuals or teams rapidly stack and unstack specially designed plastic cups into predetermined sequences (like pyramids of 3, 6, or 10 cups) as quickly as possible, requiring high levels of hand-eye coordination, focus, and fine motor skills. 

Thomas - at 12!

 

 

Under Heatwave Conditions

South Australia - harsh and dry

Its arid landscape, too rain-shy

Is now beset by heatwave* fierce

Where people’s safety must come first.

 

Adelaide will bear the brunt

Of this unwelcome scorching front

The word is let the aircon flow

Close all curtains and lie low!

 

Though I love sun, this is extreme!

Relentless heat from solar beam

With no respite in night time hours

Heightens need for daily showers!

 

Social interaction - low

Internet the way to go

Forget unnecessary tasks;

Far niente though is a big ask!

 

Commuters still must brave the heat

And dogs “go walkies” in the street

But those, like me, with no work need

Can relax at home – and read…

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

*42°C forecast

As Matters stand Today ...

Each day brings challenges and joys

No traffic here just birdsong noise;

The heat is such we stay indoors

Do crosswords, read or clean the floors!

 

It’s far too hot to jog outside

We turn the news on:  a tough ride

For Venezuela’s President*

Transportation – with intent!

 

Protesters face Oz wrath of law

They’re not permitted anymore!

Meanwhile, we swelter under skies

Devoid of clouds, though floods surprise!

 

At the ‘Top End’ monster rains

Drown luckless livestock on the plains…

The Lucky Country? Land of Dreams?

Australia – nothing but extremes!

 

Sun protection is a must;

Outside big cities, drought and dust

Harsh climate under blazing sun;

Watch sharks attack and lizards run!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Nicolas Maduro

Stranded livestock after monsoon rains ...

At "The Cedars", Hans Heysen's House

The birds cannot be seen but heard,

On occasion leaves are stirred …

Red-ochre landscape, peerless sky

“The Cedars” through the trees, nearby.

 

Hans Heysen*, Hamburg-born, lived here

In his own artistic sphere;

On a rise - his studio

From 1912 – had perfect view!

 

His love of nature caught in paint

Bucolic scenes in charcoal quaint

His talent recognised when young

Four businessmen his praises sung

 

Sponsoring his time abroad

Where his reputation soared.

His exhibitions well attended

Financed this home, made it splendid!

 

Celebrities were entertained

Prime Ministers** and artists came

Dame Nellie Melba – lifelong friend;

His daughter Nora*** hours would spend

 

On portraits, since Hans’s love was trees

Art galleries - so proud of these;

Eight children and eight art awards

Heysen’s Hahndorf****  house affords!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Hans Heysen (1877-1968)

** Australia's 12th P.M. (1894-1978)

*** Nora Heysen (1911-2003!

**** South Australia

Inside Hans Heysen's custom-built studio

  

Typical Hans Heysen scene