Penny's Jottings

There is a dead spider on my roof

stiff and silent and aloof

clinging on to what was home

now he is dead and all alone

well you arachnids all were warned

I said ‘skedaddle’ but my words were scorned

I said ‘leave now’ but you didn’t leave

so now your family is bereaved

I told you all to live out doors

dont come in here and poop on my floors

dont scare me rigid and make me scream

dont wiggle your way into my dream

just stay in the garden and lure insects in

weave a web next to my bin

I will not kill you if you do what I say

If I see you ouside I will walk away

but here in my house I will squash and smack

and spray and shoot and be on attack

so dear little insects don’t come in my house

whether cockroach or spider or little wood louse

Just keep away and enjoy a full life

away from all deadly trouble and strife

unless a bird gets you!

I called my Mum today

hearing the phone ring

I picture her hearing it too

her voice

she always knows its me

we shared tales of her children and their children and my children and their children

we talked of failures and successes

heartbreak and happiness

losses and gains

we mentioned COVID

we spoke of kindness and comfort

we talked for more than an hour

we will talk again

I wasn’t always kind and it creeps up on my mind

The things I did or didn’t do, to friends both old and new

When I tattled on a friend, drove my parents round the bend

wagged off school, played the fool, thought I was really cool

I stole a boy from a girl, then dropped him like a churl

I flirted, twirled and won a heart I didnt want from the start!

I was nasty to my Mum, I thought she was really dumb

Hated my dad, was really bad, thinking back makes me sad!

I came to OZ tried to fit in, lots of hearts for me to win

laden down with homesick tears, and arachnaphobic fears

I look back with timorous glance and recall my parenting dance

not always nice, just roll the dice, hoping that love will suffice

I recall when I’ve been mean, it haunts me when I dream

I have gossipped with the best, put many friendships to the test

enjoyed the thrill of the chase, an exciting, robbed , embrace

upset many folk, with a misplaced joke, laughing fit to choke

I have regrets, oh so many, I am the original bad Penny

Now I approach the final bend, I dont think I’ll change the trend

lots of gossip to be spread before they pronounce me dead

bring it on, lots more fun, lots more laughter before I’m done!

sorry!

I’m over it, quite over it, really over it right now

I want to get back to where I was not in the here and now

when folk were folk and hugs were hugs and life was laid before us

when I could lunch with quite a bunch and sing with Riverland chorus

I’m over it, quite over it really bored and cheesed off too

but I’m nervous for the future, it makes me feel quite blue

I dont know where we are going as a combined human race

our attitudes are changing at a very rapid pace

But I’m over it, just over it, want to get back to my ways

to see my grands, to see my friends, have noisy family days

I speak to the dog , I chat to the trees, I talk on multiple Zoom

But is not the same, its not as good, as being together in a room

I am over it!

Before you get out of your bed

And your thoughts are still in your head

Do you look at your life?

No trouble, no strife?

 And think what a great life you’ve led?

Or do you think that your life is so boring?

No travel, no gold medal scoring?

No musical heights

No rope walking in tights

A book would start the world snoring!

do your children give you great joy?

A smart girl a successful boy?

A grandchild or two

Enchanting to you?

Even when your home they destroy?

Are you satisfied with your lot?

Pleased with everything that you’ve got?

You need nothing more

Just a roof and a floor

Don’t need a Porsche or a yacht

Do you secretly wish you were rich?

Or a high-flying sarcastic bitch?

A queen or a king

Having a fling

Lying drunk in a Greek island ditch?

When your life is approaching the end

Is all you need a close loving friend?

or a parachute jump

to make your heart bump

and a last screaming whoop to transcend

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