My Blossom

I called you my blossom

You were a flower for me

Just for me alone

You were generous

With an abundance of love

Life so beautiful

We enjoyed the riches

Of life’s rich fecundity

Always together

Cold and now alone

Penalized without your love

But our fruit spread wide

Many years ago when I first started blogging most of my writing was short stories or regular serial stories that lasted months until I was at last smitten (or bitten) by my poetic muse. I quickly became an enthusiast for haiku style poetry and this is one of them written in four verses although many other poems were often longer. Few were illustrated but eventually I tried to incude suitable pictures as well. As the general story telling blogs became fewer I found the poetry blogs instead.

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-flowers-nature-people-beauty-4358718/

Lightning flashes

My wife has a phobia with lightning flashes
So runs to the bedroom off she dashes
Grunts with fear pulls covers over her head
I meanwhile come indoors to toast some bread
Put my car keys on hook by the front door
Just as stroke of lightning makes a roar
The wind now wails and seems to stamp its feet
Followed by power blackout game complete
Seems that the bad weather has won this shot
As rain rails down I'm amused not one jot
Groping for doors got idea in my head
To join my wife cuddled up in warm bed
Weather levelled out after a a while
When lights came back on wife's a mass of smiles

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos.storm-lightning-weather-4456689/

Our Begonias

Begonias are really pretty
We've got them growing on our porch
They smile at us each morning
Even when summer sun does scorch

I don't know what they do all day
Tell each other dirty stories
Nod their heads or bask in the sun
Or wave at all passing lorries

They glare at rows of plants next door
Smirking in plastic tub bought cheap
Careful not to make too much noise
Pretending they are fast asleep

Automobiles don't worry them
My wife waters them every day
Careful that they each have fair share
Talks softly as they splash and play

Neighbors in stitches watching us
Sitting on porch suits us fine
We can't have kids that's the reason
Assists us cope without crying

Image found at https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/begoniaimexed-doubles/classid.2000015185/

My maladroit life

Don't talk to me about maladroit
That's because I was affected alright
As I didn't know my left from right
T'was when I was just a lttle sprite

Wasn't helped by having bully brother
Wanted to change me for another
But he couldn't convince our mother
His eyes! Me, he wanted to smother

Made things worse I was a clumsy brat
Toddled around fell over the cat
Both sent outside to play...that was that
Pushed me in a puddle, I went splat!

All my days 'til I was nine or ten
Learn't life was cruel with right wrist broken
When he jumped on me that was the end
Found a mate at school that was my friend

So my clumsiness soon disappears
Just right in time for first teenage years
Girls were great but oft would cause tears
But one turned up to allay all fears

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/94223817188785966/

Busy Bees

Honey means busy bees
While I will shake my knees
Scared that I'll get a sting
Mindful of their striped bling

We value buzzing bees
Fertilize our crops please
Best insect in the world
But soon in death throws curled

Big companies don't hide
They spray insecticide
Kills insects one, two three
Even our friend Honey Bee

Yes, profit is okay
But not if bees we slay
Vegetation needs them
Every bee is a gem

Remember as a boy
That bee's buzz was a joy
I lay in field of flowers
Mindful of their powers

Sweet bees please stay with us
If you die all will cuss
Then we will realize
Our job now to fertilize

The latest Buzz.....Many countries were affected throughout the world by the spread of the  Varroa mite, a parasite that attacked bee colonies from 1993 on. Luckily Australia was not seriously affected and the mite when found in the north of the country was eradicated. However other problems do exist for hives in Australia as in other countries of the world.

Image found at https://pixabay/com/photos/search/beehive/?pagei=3

Man of straw

I am a man of straw with feet of clay
Which sums up my life every damned day
Unlike a potter I have spun away
Creating havoc in my sad life today

A wanderer drifting no end in sight
Guilty as charged an ugly urban blight
A painter that's blind and can see no light
A prize boxer that can no longer fight

Just what does this mean I hear you all ask
I beg for mercy I failed at my task
Finally now I must remove my mask
A drunkard for I downed wine from a cask

I lost my job but that was quite easy
Going to work and feeling quite breezy
Kissing a girl that was really sleazy
Got the sack as was found quite queasy

Though what follows was worse when I got home
Dribbling mouth, hair a mess, had lost my comb
"Useless particle" said wife, she did foam
Slammed door in face so continue to roam

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/homeless-stockholm-drifter-1527966/

Understanding Oz

I migrated to Australia with family both as an adventure and work. We spoke the same language but soon found out there were many nuances that soon made us doubt what we heard. I worked in an office and was not that much affected apart from the odd words like "Smoko, Brekky, Tucker and Uie" meaning Smoke, Breakfast, Food and Make a U-turn in the road.

These unique words invented by earlier migrants established themselves in peoples minds. Words like Swag for roll up bed used when travelling; Tucker has been accepted as meaning food although in the outback Bush Tucker would refer to eating insects berries or leaves because there's nought to eat before you reach town.

If you meet someone you haven't seen for some time you would say "I haven't seen you for Yonks" and he might reply "Let's have a Stubby" meaning have a beer at the pub together to chat.

Your wife in settling in may be invited to meet with the neighbors friends and told "Bring a plate". the last thing to do is is take half a dozen plates thinking your neighbor doesn't have enough. She means, bring a plate of food to share all around...friendly like!

Australians are patriotic, however giving an Aussie salute is merely to wave away the flies that buzz around you in the heat and your forehead is sweating. Regardless of the heat if you work in the country you will find all work stops when someone calls out "Smoko" and the Billy is put on when a kettle or or pot of water is boiled so everyone stops work and has a cup of tea. Most workers have their own mug but there's usually one spare if you're new.

At the end of the day you may well feel "Rooted" meaning tired so you go to the pub with your mates before you go home, to have a "Coldie" of beer or two but you don't sit down but hold up the bar in case you or it falls over.

Image found at https://www.google.com/search

Grandma's kitchen

My grandma's kitchen was so humongous
I couldn't see much over the table top
Where most of the meals we had were eaten
Where she prepared food and eggs were beaten

Her sink was red clay with cupbpard under
Each side were benches to place bits and pieces
With curtains hiding pots and pans below
Glass cabinet had best china on show

The floor there had some awful well worn tiles
That were so cold to my baby bare feet
So Mum held my hands with my feet on hers
And sat in high chair whilst Grandma's cat purrs

The kitchen had fours doors, one to the larder
Two to lounge, three to bathroom, four to yard
She'd lots of beaut flowers growing out back
Granddad grew veggies and fruit they'd not lack

In remembering many years ago
I feel like crying for all that I've lost
Grandma holding me singing a lullaby
Eating Christmas turkey in years gone by 

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/544654148661961481/

Lack of vigilance

Her name Maryanne
A cousin of my wife
First met her when she was but a teen
Eyes wide open absorbing all she'd seen

Saw her twice a year
Her smile was such a draw
She loved going shopping with my wife
Never thought she would cause such strife

Or to put it straight
To have a crush on me
Whilst I doted on such attention
And stole a kiss which we do not mention

Alone she was near
Sat in my lap one day
And laid her sweet head on my shoulder
Think now of the things I should have told her

I whispered to her
"You're much too old for this"
She said cutely "Don't you like me then?"
"Of course I do, but just where will it end?"

With her snuggled up 
Wife opened up the door
Saw us and said "Go and pack your things"
Maryanne fled with me explaining

"Okay, she can stay"
Was her surprise remark
"I meant that you'd be be the one to go"
I sighed seeing Maryanne's face all aglow


Goodness knows what my brain does when I think about a prompt before drafting something but this is what emerged as I started scribbling. Apologies to those that may consider it in bad taste, but clearly the husband was careless from the start.

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/778419116824687015/

If food runs out

Driving back that night the radios had gone mad
Prattling on about an attack, the news was bad
I called my wife but the line was dead, all shut down
So slowly made my way home amid traffic's drone

Not up with the news but clearly all had gone wrong
To find our own governments had sang the wrong song
With a shelter in the ground and supplies all round
Water to last three months and food stacks did abound

It was a long slow drive back with all roads clogged now
Finally home well past eight and no lights did show
I parked the car, checked wife's short note, "I'm you know where"
That was the clue that she was in the shelter, that's fair

It was just a shed on higher ground with cellar
under, providing hiding place for half a year
I checked around so that I was not seen by snoopers
We'd planned the event to avoid such bloopers

So in the darkness, quietly made my way down
the garden out of sight and sound by all around
I opened door casually and walked in the shed
And found my wife safely making up the bed

She stopped and rushed over hugged and kissed me
You cant believe how relieved we were in safely
I hoped our food and batteries would not run out
Water lasted and cesspit did not spill about

We lived in that cellar for about seven weeks
The radio came back but news was dismal and bleak
Was safe to return home as there was some sort of truce
Finally news came back but it sounded obtuse

Other people now driving, to city I'm bound
But didn't wave as guessed they were snooping around
Radio still vague I wonder how long we can last
Our water and food supplies are running out fast

We are boiling the water from the nearest creek
Have been doing this now for over a week
Having to eat young vegtables from garden bed
If food runs out we'll have to go or end up dead

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/garden-shed-country-gardening-rural-2341127/

Moving house

Had lots of reservations moving to city
Living in an apartment with neighbors so close
With lift instead of stairs just used for escape
I so missed my garden and the twittering birds
But not sorry there were no rats about
Flowerboxes on balcony are not much fun
I'm growing basil there and flowering annuals

Had a few doubts about moving to the city
My wife Mary thought the kitchen was far too small
Until she found all the extra storage space here
There were fire alarms inside to sense smoke and burns
And on seventh floor the noisy traffic quietened
At first we had city maps pinned up on wall
But it didn't take us long to find our way around

We are all so happy we moved to the city
Kids love the city parks and zoo a walk away
Young Andy likes the flamingos there with long necks
Of course he imitated them when he got home
Flapping his arms on his flank strutting around
There is a new river cruise we all want to try
But what's the hurry we've only been here a month

Image found at https://www.experienceperth.com/business/tour/captain-cook-cruises

Groovy music 1956

Trad Jazz was my favorite when was a youth
Groovy music with cute girls that sang
Stomped my feet with a beer glass in hand
Ottilie Paterson in Chris Barber's band

At first the venue was on top floor of pub
Crowded right out to enhance the feel
So popular was the Friday gig
They had to move to hall that was really big

I didn't drive at that time, that came later
Me and mate got lift in old Ford van
Dropped us both off after a nine mile trip
Getting home to have a long drunken kip

I survived the booze and the drunken ride
I bought Barber's records now long gone
Grown up and have normal life style
But still dream of my wild youth once in a while

Image found at https://www.chrisbarber.net/band-1957-1957.htm

I listen for his footsteps

In my eyes he matches the gods, that man who 
sits there facing you-any man whatever-
listen from close by to the sweetness of
       your voice as you talk, the

sweetness of your laughter. Yes that-I swear it
sets the heart to shaking inside my breast
since once I look upon you for a moment
       I can't speak any longer

but my tongue breaks down, and then all at once
subtle fire races within my skin my
eyes can't see a thing and a whirring whistle
      Thrums in my heart

cold sweat covers me and a trembling takes
a hold on me all over. I'm greener than the 
grass is and appear to myself to be little
       short of dying

but all must be endured, since even a poor
girl such as I whose heart beats
only and forever for you and my eyes
weeping fearing that you will never be mine
       crushes my soul

I listen for his footsteps, his voice, his laugh
and for his warm loving eyes only for me
his touch giving me a tremblng feeling
as though he already arouses me
      and we are just one      

but I wait in vain, the hourglasss empties
and the candle burns low, weeping
just like me - burnt out by my love
my tears running down my face
      for I am in despair

then barely an hour later I hear a snort
of a horse, is it him at this late hour?
It is for he enters without knocking
and sees me naked waiting for him
       joyously laughing


My thanks to Sappho for writing the first four verses

Image found at https://www.flickr.com.photos/lespetitescases/36832131852

High in the sky

While sat outside staring in the sky
At the shining stars and bashful moon

Maybe fun for some but not for me

The night was cold so got back inside

To warm myself by the open fire

With cup of cocoa Mum made for me

She told me of stars and planets names

Saturn, Venus, Mars and Mercury

I drank the cocoa it warmed me up

And crawled up in my mothers lap

She told me of Mars the god of war

And Venus was the goddess of love

That Mercury was the messenger

As I grew sleepy I asked my Mum

"What about the Moon then, what is that?"

"That's Earths naughty little baby"

"He's a lot like you and wants to play

Sometimes sleeps at night and sometimes day

And just like you he's my shining light

"cos I love to see him day and night"

By now I was dreamy, happy warm

I felt safe just where I loved to be

Cuddled close in Mummy's loving arms

I dreamt we both flew high in the sky

Image 1. found at https://pixabay.com/photos/night-sky-month-dark-nature-stars-2938792/

Image 2. found at https://pixabay.com/photos/son-mother-child-parent-young-kid-388523/

She kissed me

It's to my shame I tell you this
I was twelve before my first kiss
I'd kissed my Ma and Pa but not
The audacious leap to kissing girls
Was not possible despite the lure
Of their flicking hair and eyes allure

At age of ten I took a leap
At girls in class I took a peep
One shy blonde girl smiled back at once
Knew her name from the class rollcall
So I walked her home at half passed three
At her door, what surprise...she kissed me!

But young love sadly tends to flee
Next Monday she glanced not at me
Learned love affairs were risqué games
Especially when laughed at by friends
But teenage years made me much more bold
Found girl of my own and boy she was gold!

Words used: Audacious, Risque, Shame

Image found at https://wwwfreepik.es/foto-gratis/nina-mirando-su-companero-clase_866040.htm

I've fruit in my pack

"Do you need some help?" I asked
"With that poor left leg of yours?"
She glanced up and shook her head
"You're kind, I'll manage without
Seven limbs are quite enough
For me and snakes to get about"

"Aren't you hungry?" I then said
"I'm vegetarian
Except for the snakes of course"
"You can relax my sweet man
They've got the message stay away"
"Now come close, touch me if you can"

I must say she turned me on
Cuddling her was quite a treat
Then she said "I need to eat"
I felt the snakes get all alert
So said "I've fruit in my pack"
She smiled "Wisdom you do not lack"

Image found at https://www.instagram.com/catschappach/ 

I listened to the river

I listened to the river
Now bubbling with such glee
Calm over its sandy bed
I love that it spoke to me

I often come here dreaming
Of those days just you and me
Water weaving past the trees
Like it did for you and me

I feel like an empty room
Heart rattling with so much space
Just to hear your voice again
Hope you are missing me

How I'd love you in my arms
We burned once with such desire
I'm empty like a cardboard box
Wish you'd light my fire for me

Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/search/river%20bank/

I made up stories

I knew nothing of literacy before I went to school
I didn't need to as I could cry, gurgle and drool
My parents got fed up with that, they thought I played the fool

First day Ma took me I didn't like it one bit
Next morning refused to go, stayed with Gran, I seemed to fit
Thereafter to school I went, was no way out of it

So then I learned to read and write to Mum and Dad's delight
Despite the war, quickly learned the ABC and was alright
When it was over we moved house, now was easy to write

I made up stories from the start, got good marks that pleased all
And made eyes with girl from my class, she liked me I was tall
Lucky was accepted to local Grammar school that fall

Not only that my mother worked in Library part time
So gorged myself on grown up books that was no crime
Pullitzer prize authors, classics and more as a pastime

Was glad too I did write a few essays that did not suck
My marks were average but exceeded at sport what luck
Then got offer as a draftsman so able to earn a buck

A few years passed and found that my wife was fun
Had won award for essay when at school and quite young
Both joined a writing club, read our stories with own tongue

Later married daughter told me of blogging site
Where I could write stories which was such fun alright
So tapped the keyboard several days at night

But found story telling blogs became fewer and fewer
So had to find the sites where poetry was the bidder
So pleased now that PU is my literary rescuer


Image found at www.freepik.com/free-photo/teen-boy-reading-quiet-library_2667043.htm

The Bridge Lane girl

                                 

When I was young I lived in a small town with small town people with petty ideas about who was OK and who wasn't.

So those who lived over in Bridge Lane were somehow not like us for there was a class divide. Mind you, young Maisie Young was in the same year as me at school and when I looked at her and she looked right back at me, we both smiled even though she came from over there.

I used to walk her home after school. Once over the bridge with the river running below, I dared to hold her hand for it was soft and warm and that put a smile on both our faces.

It was my brother that told on us to my dad. I looked across at Ma who for some reason was looking down not saying a word as he raved on about me finding a better class of girl to walk home with.

Later on as I was helping her with the dishes; putting them away and sorting out the cutlery, Ma whispered to me saying "I came from Bridge Lane son, your Dad has forgotten that". I looked up at her and smiled and said "So I can still walk her home?"

"Of course you can lad, and you can kiss her too if she wants; but ask her first" She said smiling. "Don't forget to say hello to her Ma from me, as I haven't seen her for ages".

Childhood romances don't often last and that was such a long time ago. Even today I think of Maisie and wonder what lucky man married her for sadly it wasn't me.

Image found at www.picturesof england.com

The Folly

They've pulled the Folly down. I remember that place from many years ago. Because it was such a fine day I'd skipped school. Who want's school when brain says play?

I knew of a creek just out of town; boys favourite places. I shed shoes and socks and rolled up trousers. Before long I was wading in deep water. No matter, I'd soon dry out with the warm breeze. I spashed around and then heard a laugh so looked across the other bank. A girl sat there about my age. I waved and she waved back . 

She then called out "Can I come over too?"

I answered "Yeah! If you can find a way."

With that she disappears and must have run as it seemed to be seconds before she turns up grinning and takes off her shoes, tucks skirt in knickers and comes right in, balancing with arms outstretched.

We stayed and played for quite some time, then she said :Do you want to come home with me?"

I looked into her green eyes as we put our shoes and socks back on and said "Won't your Mum be cross if our clothes are all wet?"

She shook her head and grabbed my hand. "No way" she said and pulled me along.

She took us to the Folly which I thought was empty and up for sale as all curtains were drawn. We entered by the kitchen door and sat there. She touched my hands and then my face; so I did the same and as she closed her eyes I kissed her.

"Remember me" she said "and do come back". I nodded as it was time to go.

I got told off for skipping school but never saw her again. Later the Folly had a fire but no bodies were found and has stayed empty all these years

Image found at https://www.pulse.ng.bi.lifestyle/10-abandoned-mansions-around-world