My father-in-law

My father-in-law hated picnics
It wasn't his favourite activity
He liked his meals served up on a plate
At the table in the dining room
Eating out 'en plein air' he did hate

But he liked to swim did my wife's dad
At the sandy beach close to our home
But seeing that snacks were in the pack
He'd walk far away along the beach
Searching for round pebbles, shells and wrack

Not that he was a miserable guy
His sense of humour quite unique
Loved it when grandkids curled in his lap
Best of all swam in the briny sea
Then in the deckchair take a long nap

Image found at http://www.eguidetravel.com/articles/adelaide-beaches/

Picnic on the hill

We walked to the top of the hill
Hand in hand not saying a word
Butterflies fluttered over grass green
We looked over the dazzling scene

Sun now shining on the valley
Farmer on tractor, barking dog
Where brown cows munched their daily fill
Us sprawled out on this flowery hill

The river below flows slowly on
At the copse edge a fox unseen
But by me as I kiss your nose
Fondling each other oh so close

I trace my fingers over your face
As you reach up to touch my palms
We hear the songbirds high above
Singing aloud that we're in love

I press my lips upon your cheek
Sun bows shyly behind a cloud
As we roll around with such delight
Thermos, tomatoes put to flight

We then hear other walkers come
Across our once idyllic field
Neaten our clothes and ravaged site
They pass, our smiles are blushing bright

Image found at http://www.melbournehotelconferences.com

The Picnic

I could never understand

The logic of eating “en plein air”

A habit for which I had no care

My little heart would fall

When each event was planned and

Preparations made and put in hand

All but me were so excited

As hampers filled with food and drink

And even Dad would nod and wink

The trip was hell as discomfort reigned

Brother and sister jumped and played

In the car as I sat dismayed

And when we found the spot to sit

Far from home and comfort’s bliss

I would more and more my teddy miss

Parents sat and children scattered

But soon this changed as did the weather

As ants attacked and wasps did gather

Our food was clearly the attraction

As crawling emmets were pulverized

And wasps were flicked away from eyes

The clouds that up to now had taunted

Now let loose their fury wild

And Mum was no longer mild

With hasty packing we left the field of dreams

And turned my day from a nightmare

To head for home without one care

And when that night with Teddy tucked

Picnics I prayed from me please keep

and slept that night in blissful sleep

This poem is an oldie of mine from 2012 that deserved an airing. PS: Emmets are ants

Image found at www.adeptpest.com

Life's no picnic

Life is no picnic
So wise men have said to me
There's no sense in that

As I remember
Picnic's meal "al fresco"
Best eaten at home

Ants and wasps love them
As storm clouds gather to play
Nature takes up arms

Children are screaming
Our chosen spot is crowded
Not now idyllic

Strange dog adopts us
Our food is better that theirs
But then cocks his leg

My drink's knocked over
People think I wet myself
There's no place to hide

Rain now patters down
We rush to evacuate
In mass migration

Get back to my place
Please do count me out next time
Says me from my chair

Image found at www.robinwoodpark.org

The Picnic

I could never understand

The logic of eating “en plein air”

A habit for which I had no care

My little heart would fall

When each event was planned and

Preparations made and put in hand

All but me were so excited

As hampers filled with food and drink

And even Dad would nod and wink

The trip was hell as discomfort reigned

Brother and sister jumped and played

In the car as I sat dismayed

And when we found the spot to sit

Far from home and comfort’s bliss

I would more and more my teddy miss

Parents sat and children scattered

But soon this changed as did the weather

As ants attacked and wasps did gather

Our food was clearly the attraction

As crawling emetts were pulverized

And wasps were flicked away from eyes

The clouds that up to now had taunted

Now let loose their fury wild

And Mum was no longer mild

With hasty packing we left the field of dreams

And turned my day from a nightmare

To head for home without one care

And when that night with Teddy tucked

Picnics I prayed from me please keep

and slept a night of blissful sleep