Penny's Jottings

dear little grandaughter so small and unwell

with a heart that is failing and low O2 as well

what I would give to change places with you

so your face will be pink and no longer blue

as helpless and useless I stand to observe

the dreadful ordeal you did not deserve

with the tubes, the wires and the terrible scar

how I wish that I could be where you are

tears flow from my eyes in an impotent stream

as deep in my soul there’s an imploding scream

this world is not perfect, its a chaotic mess

There are many shortcomings we need to address

but while you are in it there’s a glimmer of hope

for a love filled future that has no scope

as I wait with heart pounding and a weight on my chest

to hear of your progress, I hope for the best

sending love

There is a cycle to life that encompasses birth, growth and death, and I am stressed

So much rests on this babies little head, so much joy and love waiting to be expressed

A focus for tenderness and hope that will embrace and comfort grief, sooth hurt and calm ire,

As I wait for the birth of this precious child I am anxious, hopeful, excited and afire

I cannot wait to hold her and feel the warmth of her, the smell, the damp, warm feeling

To bond with her and encircle her with her family so she can start the healing

So much rests on this babies head as she joins a family split by a ravaging wolf

She is the new life, new world, new beginning, She is the future, its hers to engulf 

But she is not here yet and the days and hours are endless as I wait for news of her birth

All the strong women in my family, those who have passed and those here on earth

Will be with my daughter as she labours

so much rests on her head

This year twas our intention to attend the great convention

To sing of love with tuneful meaning and intent

Though we felt much apprehension, we paid serious attention

And learnt our notes, the words, and even what they meant

We attended a retreat and worked hard to defeat

Any notes we thought would make the judges shudder

We had the two tunes beat, our sound was strong and sweet

When COVID hit and we were a chorus with no rudder

We felt the call of doom but then we heard of Zoom

and worked hard to maintain a strong connection

We made our houses boom as we sang loudly in our room

And greeted each arriving member with affection

We learnt how to get online and had the patter worked out fine

‘We can’t hear you turn your mike on’ was the call

We watched each other dine, and sip a whisky or a wine

We learnt some tags, gave support and had a ball.

We followed government restriction, avoided flue affliction

We stayed apart, washed our hands and wore a mask

But our musical addiction added thought to our conviction

Our precious Nerryl rose like phoenix to the task

We met down by the river, with our voices all a quiver

To sing of lullabies, true colours, a million dreams

Nerryl asked what we could give her, our harmony made us shiver

The joy of singing in our chorus made us beam

In these unprecedented times, when our stress level climbs

and we are jumpy when anybody sneezes

We long for friendlier climes, and past happy times

When the world seemed full of hope and less diseases

We’ve all been through the ringers, as individuals and as singers

But throughout we’ve had a wonderful connection

As COVID 19 lingers we can avoid being whingers

And spend some time in quiet introspection

We are lucky overall, our covid numbers have been small

And our connection with our chorus is maintained

We have support when we fall, friends to hug us when we bawl

and a song to uplift us when we are drained

we can feel a deep elation as we near a vaccination

and we hope that all our friends are safe and well

to sing together our aspiration with chorus folk our inspiration

let us hope 2021 will turn out swell!

My house has only me in it, the last chick has flown the coop

no more towels on the bathroom floor, or boots left on the stoop

no KFC boxes under the bed, no more secrets shared with me

no tears to mop up, no ire to cool down, time for me to be

no homework panic no soccer to watch, no muddy boots to clean

no netball matches, no failed exams, no ear when friends are mean

no clothes on the floor, no loud screams to ignore, no enthusiastic hugs

no plates left around, no dreams to hear, no strange marks on my rugs

My life has changed, I’m all alone, I can run round naked all day!

I can sing out loud, I can dance in the lounge, no one here to say me nay!

I can shower with the door open, laze around and read a book

I can eat when I want, whenever I want, no-one needs me now to cook

I can stand on my head, laze around in my bed and watch Poirot on TV

I can wear my pajamas all day long cause there’s no-one here to see

Oh the things I can do now my last chick has left,

even though deep inside I am feeling bereft

I now must decide what to do with years left

woohoo here I come world

Today is my birthday and I am feeling very old

tho the years that passed were full of fun and  laughter

I am now at the stage when my body is always cold

and I forget where I’m going and what I’m after

My brain is full of fuzz and I don’t remember names

words elude me when I’m deep in conversation

I don’t know what I’m doing, my memories’ playing games

which can cause a confusing situation!

I’m not yet ready to go so I take it on the chin

I’ve got a grandy on the way and new songs to sing

books to read and enjoy and new flings to fling

friends to meet, food to eat, flights to wing

as I gaze into the future I see a brand new year

full of promise and delightful occupation

so while I am still lucid I am glad that I am here

ready and willing to accept the next temptation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have Scott Morrison in Australia to lead us towards the light
His nickname here is Scomo and he believes he’s always right
In the US they have Trump with bible and raised fist
Aggressive and outspoken his good moments may be missed
His tweets are monumental, his language strong and rude
A misogynistic racist whose approach is loud and crude
In UK scruffy Boris leads the Pommes through covid hell
He was stricken by corona and he wasn’t very well
But Jacinda, oh Jacinda what a leader, what a dame
My heart lights up with joy when I hear your lovely name
You are kind and clever and strong and aggressive when need be
New Zealand has a treasure, I wonder if they’ll take me!
We have our issues over here which need some concentration
Black deaths in custody must be addressed by our nation
Maybe it would help our Scomo to look across the ditch
To find out what Jacinda would do, to inform his pitch
Oh Jacinda I know you have your flaws, as humans we all do
But if you want to be an Aussie, I would welcome you!

We are coming out of lockdown and my heart is full of fear,
does that person have the virus and is he coming way to near?
Will I need to wear a mask or be like Trump and swallow drugs?
Will I maintain social distancing and avoid, warm loving hugs?

Should I go to work and sanitize everything that I may touch?
Wash my hands till they are sore and don’t breathe in too much?
Should I scream when someone sneezes and sock them on the jaw
Send them packing with a mask when they get up off the floor?

Or maybe I’ll be happier and greet each day with glee
and believe that covid 19 is not coming after me
skip merrily to my workplace and sing through my working day
Cause stress and worrying will kill you, or that is what folks say

I don’t know when I’ll die, and I really want to live
My family is growing and I’ve a lot of love to give
But if covid 19 gets me then I do have this to say
‘Thanks for all the fish’, I’ve enjoyed each passing day!

We have some problems here  when people want to stay

They come in boats and planes and we  send them on their way

But Covid19 crept inside, and never showed its’ face

as it’s insidiously affected the whole human race

So we are now in lockdown, our economy has ceased

we cough into our elbows and wash off the disease

we stay home and lock our doors, communicate on Zoom

work from home, and keep busy to avoid impending doom

we sing on our balconies and clap in streets at night

we share our lives on facebook to keep our hope alight

we invent new ways of being and we share our lives online

and sometimes we relax and have some whisky or some wine

We now have the opportunity to spend time in reflection

to think about our lives in happy circumspection

to re-evaluate life’s goals and prioritise them too

so that when this is all over we will know just what to do

for me I want a BBQ with my family and friends

with whisky and laughter long after day ends

Covid19 crept in and affected everybody here

so far 2020 has not been a scintillating year!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hooray you two you’re married, together from now on

You have tied the knot and promised to live in love as one

The past few weeks have been leading to this amazing day

With lists and tears and laughter and a wine list gone astray

The many chops and changes and the amazing bridal dress

But you both are generous to a fault and happily shared the stress!

The guest list waxed and waned a bit and seating was done last

With who sits next to who a quiz the combinations vast

Do the bow ties match the dresses and has Adrian written his vows

All things to lose sleep over but its ancient history now

The bucks and hens went off so well, what happens there must stay

But all these things have led us all to this amazing day

When Adrian gains himself a bride and Heather a lovely groom

And good wishes laughter and love come from everyone in the room

The road ahead looks full of joy with mortgage, kids and bills

Cooking, cleaning and gardening with an occasional clash of wills

I have known Heather all her life and Adrian I’d like to say

You are the right man for her in every single way

She is wild and quirky, snappy and kind

With an amazing, artistic, innovative mind

You two fit together and I am so glad you met

Enjoy the ride so much more to come yet