Wednesday 13 March 2024

In the Dog House

News item:  did I hear it right

On population growth - a blight?

It seems we ladies change our tune

And eschew having kids: High Noon!

 

We modern women now have choice

Motherhood – a quieter voice …

With the lure of earning, a career!

Why spend money on child care?

 

Companionship, a human need

Does not go away; indeed

On Tik Tok, Facebook and the like

Ladies still seek “Mr. Right”.

 

But their profile comes with canine friend

A faithful hound with whom they spend

Their precious free time after hours

 Constancy in sun and showers!

 

Of course they want a loving mate

Yet feel no need to procreate!

But sans the patter of small feet,

Our pension pot will soon deplete!


(c) Poet in the woods 2024



Wednesday 6 March 2024

Gate 16 - Adelaide Airport

Proud silver bird with wings outstretched

Being delayed, our flight affects …

On sultry tarmac, trucks deploy

The DNATA catering van I spy.

 

Then a cavalcade – long baggage train;

Beyond it, Adelaide’s vast plain

In purple haze in heat intense;

Leaving my family is a wrench …

 

While modest “Virgin” planes cruise by

Singapore Airline’s on standby:

Fast turnaround with great precision

It so deserves its top position!

 

‘SQ’ - synonymous with style

How its hostesses beguile!

Demure and graceful, always sweet

As honoured guests each one they greet!


(c) Poet in the woods 2024


5.3.2024





Tuesday 27 February 2024

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

Friday 23 February 2024

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!

Sunday 18 February 2024

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

Friday 16 February 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




Sunday 11 February 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