Penny's Jottings

Well they’ve packed their bags, walked out the door

I’ve washed the sheets and vacuumed the floor

I know they wont be back any more

and I’ll miss them

Milo was worried and carried his lead

dear little Murphy refused his feed

George was watching with eyes that plead

and we’ll miss them

The’ve gone to Mildura that’s not too far

it only takes two days by car

we’ll visit when Gladys lifts the bar

till then we’ll miss them

Just George and me now feeling sad

telling each other its not that bad

exited that Johnny’s to be a dad

but missing them

Fighting hard not to shed a tear,

I know I’ll see them early next year

to welcome one more baby dear

But Oh I miss them

family groups wont be the same

and family stories will be quite tame

if somebody farts there’ll be noone to blame

we’ll all miss them

but every bird must leave the nest

and make decisions that suit them best

put their ambitions to the test

yet we’ll miss them

they are off to enjoy a brand new start

with smiles on their faces but sad to part

each child that I have has a piece of my heart

and I’m lucky

Footprints on the path, was that you?

Walking swiftly, in a hurry,

Mind creating worry

Thoughts in a flurry

was that you?

Strolling fondly with your baby

Time to pick a daisy

Tired, thinking hazy

was that you?

Running, pounding, footsteps slamming

air bud music jamming

lycra body cramming

was that you?

Old man with old dog ambling

youthful memories rambling

footsteps slow and shambling

was that you?

friends all smiles and chattering

nodding, frowning, nattering

reputation shattering

was that you?

family with kids uniting

ignoring sibling fighting

in lockdown just surviving

was that you?

in dark glasses the sun is glary

wearing masks and feeling wary

cause the covid flue is scary

was that you?

Striding out with small dog leading

chasing fitness, not succeeding

social distancing conceding

that was me

When youre walking round the loop

and your doggie does a poop

dont let others win it!

bag it take it bin it!

if you like to celebrate

drinking beer with your mate

take the evidence dont fling it

bag it take it bin it

if you feel you need an upper

a nice warm frothing cuppa

keep the cup, thats the spirit

bag it take it bin it

if you like to walk around

the sunny softball ground

leave a smile when youre in it

bag it take it bin it

Its my birthday tomorrow in lockdown again

I take it quite calmly, don’t want to complain

I know there are many much worse off than me

Stuck overseas, loved ones they can’t see

I realise the world’s in a terrible way

And people affected by COVID each day

I know that my worries are small and not real

But I cannot help the way that I feel

So here I am Just me and the dog

Working from home, writing my blog

Doing the garden, watching TV

Reading a book and drinking whisky

Walking the dog and zooming with style

Texting and phoning and chatting a while

Thinking that next year’s the one for me

When we will all be COVID free

But this year I’d just like to say that I’m pissed.

One more birthday celebration missed!

Tomorrow if you have one minute free

And are happy to spend it thinking of me

Find a nice cup and fill it with tea

And we’ll share a moment virtually!

I bought George 2 years ago and he’s ruled me ever since!

I think he is a little dog; he knows he is a prince.

He rules with rod of iron and knows what he is due

He loves the lockdown rules because of COVID flue

He likes that I am here all day to attend his beck and call

He likes to keep his slave amused throwing him a ball

He pesters me each morning till I take him for a walk

points to his lead and harness, you’d think that he could talk

he loves to greet all visitors with joy and recognition

dances round them crazily demanding their submission

I used to have a beagle who slept his life away

Dreaming dreams of conquests and rolling in the hay

But George is on patrol barking at passing folk and dogs

Chasing off the birds and sniffing out the frogs

Jumping on the furniture, chewing on his toys

Following me around, making lots of noise

Squeaking on his squeakers and digging up the lawn

Shredding up the tissues, waking up at dawn

He loves to play in water but hates to have a bath

He is a little naughty but he always makes me laugh

George? He makes me laugh!

What can I say about Robyn on this her special day?

Will I mention her ability to cheer us on our way?

Will I talk about her kindness? Her love for kids and dogs?

Her acceptance when her sons bring home lots of snakes and frogs?

Will I mention her stylish dress sense, her lovely confident walk?

The way her hair shines in the sun? Her inclusive, accepting talk?

Will I talk about her nurturing ways with family and friends?

Will I mention her mindful caring when sense of humour ends?

And yes Robyn is all those things and many more as well

But I know she has a wicked side as all her friends can tell

Her joking, smiling, upbeat side that encourages much laughter

Her ability to see the ridiculous in the heat of a disaster

Should I talk about her practicality and her kind and loving care?

Mention her perceptive ability to note when folk are in despair?

What about her lovely voice and her musical expertise?

Will I need to mention every one of her excellent qualities?

Or should I just say that this is her own special day?

Wish her happy birthday and then go on my way?

Happy sixtieth birthday to Robyn, a caring special friend

Lets hope you get spoilt today, and we’ll meet when lockdown ends!

I went on a boat on the Murray to see what I could see

I wanted to see the birds and the bees but they were avoiding me!

I saw pelicans by the hundreds all floating past in style

Galahs hiding out in the breezy trees and a kookaburra made me smile

But there in the passenger area, a vision I could not deny

Were the birds that I was looking for, catching my gleeful eye

The peacock was there preening himself with head thrown back in pride

Showing off his musical talents and seeking a worthy bride

There was the little fairy wren with her nervous jumpy walk

Sharing whispered confidences, afraid of loud noisy talk

The rosella was there looking lovely with clothes all artfully worn

rich gloss of her lips and the kind painted face, jealousy not to be borne

And there was her colourful partner with his charm and constant chatter

Relaxed and delightful, carelessly racist, a handsome, fun loving patter

And the prickly Magpie hiding her smile, aggressively protecting her space.

her partner avoiding all contact, tattoos on his arm, a glare on his face

Here comes the gossiping Kookaburra, sharing stories of other’s transgressions.

Protecting her partner and caring, keeping watch over all her possessions

The tattooed bird of paradise full of promise and promises broken

with the shy little cormorant hiding the truth, it’s not true if it isn’t spoken

The noisy mynah kept me amused with stories that never ended

Watching the nervous backing up moves from each person she befriended

When asked, my eldest son told me, that I was a coastal puffin

Blank faced and aware, a glinty eyed stare, a mind quite reflective of nuffin’

I enjoyed myself on the Murray, watching people and hearing their tales.

Next year I might go out to sea and spend time watching the whales

An illness came in 2020 in the beginning of the year.

Flu, they said, but perhaps it is a little more severe.

It spread so fast and many died all medicine it decried

Soon it became worldwide and we must stay inside

So wash your hands don’t touch your face  wear a mask and remember to keep the space.

People are dying in fast increasing numbers

And the virus has a name as round the world it thunders

So quiet the streets, all shops and cafes unlit and dark

no people no cars no chat no noise no meeting in the park

So wash your hands don’t touch your face and remember to keep a space

Coronavirus is with us now and sadly has come to stay

So many scientists from many Lands work each and every day

To create a cure that will keep this deadly bug at bay

And 2021 has brought relief  and help is on its way

But wash your hands don’t touch your face wear a mask and remember daily to keep you space

The future now so closely controlled is very hard to see

Isolation is hard to bare but when will be free

If we obey the rules the government may end the gloom

When all will be inoculated and once more free to roam

So  stay at home, and stay at home please  stay at home awhile

Mollie Silver

Cornwall 2021

She smiles, her face lights up, my heart dances

she cries, I smile, she is feisty

she sleeps, I look on with wonder

she feeds hungrily, grasps at life

she makes murmuring noises to communicate

she is perfect, she is strong, she is here

nothing more to say