RETURN TO THE ZOO

 

It is a happy day, a very happy day. Yet, do you remember it was not always that way? 

A bug called Covid crawled in and everyone stopped calling, for days and days and days. 

But did you ever see it? I never did, the bug I mean, yet it disturbed our lives in so many ways. I hoped I could find it and trample it beneath my feet and life could return again for us once more. 

The staff kept on washing and washing every one of us and every house in the Zoo. I used to love a bath and a good scrub, but you can have too much of a good thing. Old Crocodile became quite crotchety every time they asked him to open his mouth for a spray. I for one had to warn everyone to keep out of his way. 

The monkeys drove us to distraction with their noisy frustrations, as the public stayed away and it was yet another extra banana-free day. 

My friend, the giraffe, kept parading around, searching and searching, head held high, trying to see further than anyone else, reporting back, “Even with my most excellent vision, apart from the staff, there is no one to see.” 

Mr Lion stopped his constant roaring as there was no one to impress; he was so depressed. We asked Mrs Turtle if she could explain, as she was the oldest and wisest of us all. “Mrs Turtle, do you know what is going on?” 

Her reply calmed us a bit, “I remember a long time ago something similar happened. It seemed to last forever; then one day, Mr Snake announced it had gone as the public were starting to queue to come in. Even the ice cream vans had started to deliver, ringing out their appearance once again.” 

As an elephant, I too will never forget the arrival and departure of that terrible Covid bug. And the day the Zoo returned to normal, it was great and, oh boy, did we celebrate. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

WELCOME! YOU ARE BACK!

 

We arrived back to our New Zealand home for a 5-month stay.

Here we are known as ‘swallows’ because we come in summer and leave before winter.

During this time we live very different lives, with different friends and interests.

After a couple of days of non-stop sleep, I became aware of the wonderful bird song coming from all directions around the house and garden, very different from our English bird chorus.

My heart thrilled to the very distinctive calling of the Tui.

They are unusual birds, who are almost able to produce the sounds of a whole orchestra by themselves, lots of clicks, whistles and bangs.

They are wonderful to listen to and very handsome to look at in their dark blue, green and bronze plumage, with white ruffs around their necks and a blob of pure white feathers under their chins.

I went onto the deck as was my custom to call a greeting to them.

‘Hello Mr. Tui, hello Mr. Tui, Tui.’

Sometimes if I’m lucky they call back.

However this time, we were interrupted by a frantic repetitious crying, getting nearer and nearer.

I looked down and saw my neighbour’s silver-grey cat running up their path calling loudly as she ran.

She made a leap and clawed her way up the wooden fence, paused for a moment and jumped down.

The crying became louder and louder as she rushed up the stairs and threw herself at my feet, rubbing my legs still crying.

I was very touched and said ‘Oh Dumpling you have remembered our friendship after 18 months.

What an amazing cat, you are just so clever!’

I chatted to her patting and smoothing her coat gently.

We had been unable to come last year due to family reasons back in the UK.

Dumpling and I shared this very special greeting. Before she climbed up onto my lap and settled herself down.

After a while purring contentedly she fell asleep as she is now an old lady.

Looking down at her, I hoped we would be able to share many more companionable times during this visit.

Hopefully, as she is an old cat, help her to fight off younger contenders for her territory especially at night.

© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

HAPPY ENDING

 

When out shopping, we saw a poor dog in a fix. He was running scared to and fro dashing, across the roads, as fast as he could go.

You feel helpless as a looker-on waiting, with cars sharply braking, dog terrified and shaking.

People gasping, pleading, dog arms quickly evading, lead trailing in the desperate act of escaping.

Soon trapped in between cycles penned, exhausted, lying down wondering how it will all end.

Eyes watching, long-distance anxiously gazing, lips trembling, curling showing fear and mistrusting.

A man arrives running, calling, arms waving, glad cries and the dog’s tail starts, it's frantic wagging.

They come together in a charge of mutual delight, the man looks him all over and asks ‘Is He all right?’

‘Thanks a million to you all, as this dog means more to us, then we can possibly say.’

Then with lead in hand and a backward wave, they set off together happily on their way.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SAND PLAY

 

As a child, I played on the sand in Scotland.

With giggles and laughs and spade in hand.

Pressing pebbles down to disappear out of sight.

In later years I’d see, the sand pressed into bricks

Laid end to end and sealed with cement to make it stick.

Walls we would call them then.

Into homes, they would start to blend.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

VISUALLY AMAZING

 

We turned a corner, a gasp I had to give!

There were large helium balloons with their dangling baskets at different stages of take-off.

All shapes and sizes floating by on mass, with blasts of hot air forcing them upwards assisting the lift.

A few more, blasts before silently you arose like giant dandelion seeds, dwindling in size.

Floating off in one’s, and two’s filling the brilliant sky.

The artistry of colour decorated the balloons as you floated by. Giving us a glimpse of entering an artist's attic.

It would be hard to choose the best, as they rose dipped and swayed.Till the competition had run its course.

Landings were not always neat, but laughter and help were there at hand.

To flatten and roll your balloon canopy into its basket, after a brilliant out this World experience.

We tucked the whole vision, into our memory chest to be pulled on a miserable day, as we drove our way home.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

TO THE DESERT

 

Desert of deadly heat and freezing cold, entices to trap you there.

Where if unlucky, your where about’s may never be told.

Yet within these extremes, life still goes on from the tiniest creature to the big and strong.

Your beauty has captivated poets, writers, singers of songs.

As spectacular coloured visions, appear at dawn and dusk to dazzle the eye.

With the wind playing music, carried in the sighing of shifting sand.

Painters, Photographers, Explorers have to risk life and limb to capture and write a truly lasting descriptive vision and love of you.

Though I have been to deserts before, seeking wonders I can no longer through age truly explore.

Tourism allows me to be transported to swelter in a tent in the heat of the day.

Night temperature drops freezing me wrapped in a blanket, as I stare upwards in wonder at the expanse of your star-studded amazing and thought-provoking black sky.

It is our duty as writers, to share our experiences with those adventurous hearts less able to travel.

Please keep your pens, stories, and information flowing in new books, to help less able thrill seekers' imaginations to keep going.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE FIRST PANORAMIC VIEW

 

The first panoramic view took my breath away.

I can hardly believe I am going to spend time here.

As I move towards the door, 

Scanning left and right breathing deeply.

Emptying my lungs of city air 

And brain from tackling difficult conversations 

Requiring answers I still do not have.

Just being there allows me to start to feel alive.

I am almost scared of opening the door 

And having feelings dashed.

Taking another look around at the view,

I turn the key and walk in.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

BROODING MENACE

 

The setting sun, full of gentle remembrances and fun, being chased by a brooding menace as thunder and lightning had begun. 

The gentle sunset being devoured with such terror, as the earth beneath shook and writhed, chasing humans to seek shelter. 

In their choice of high or low their lives hung, as homes and all they knew were shredded. The battle raged as the ocean rose and swept all before everything being upended. 

Terror stalked those who still lived, as lightning struck and thunder roared and the sea covered all before. Fearfully, those who still survived prayed that this brooding menace would soon go. 

So, in time and worldly cycle, the battle waned and unsettled day began to show. Life stirred, as people searched for family, beloved pets and neighbours well known. 

Silence and cries of sorrow were heard by many that first day, before sirens and calls of, “Anyone there?” As rescuers arrived, cries of joy permeated the air. 

As survivors returned to what might be left of their homes, where strangers waited to welcome them with water, food, clothes, bed and board. For others, more permanent arrangements had to be made and another place found to call home. 

As life in any traumatic situation has to go on. 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THINKING WITH MY BRAIN

 

Thinking with my brain, not moving from the spot, taking you with me for a short educational hop.

Lie down, relax, close your eyes; let’s go.

How about a Caribbean island? 

A sun baked place, with soft breezes rustling music from the coconut tree leaves, and hot, silvery sand needing swift ambling to cool feet in the warm, lapping sea.

To lower yourself into the water is as comforting and slightly cooler than an energy-raising bath.

There you can look down and see small, coloured fish nibbling your toes, or swimming between braced knees, a truly colourful show.

The odd shelled crab hurrying out of your way, to bury itself in the sand out of sight.

Shells of all sizes left by previous owners lie decorating the sandy floor.

Breathing in the frangipani fragrance wafting over us from the shore, do you feel yourself relaxing, letting your troubles float gently away?

Floating, floating, floating; what bliss this is.

Wow…! 

That was a flash of lightning from an approaching grey thunder cloud, letting us know it is time for us to leave and embrace reality where we both really live.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WRITER

 

THE RIGHT TO WRITE

 

How our pens long to right the wrongs. to restore sanity back where it belongs,

Bringing smiles back into view, allowing once again tasks we used to do naturally.

Returning songs so divine to birds, who have flown away and been silent all this time.

Calming dogs and children who cower in fear, at any unexpected noise heard quite near.

Write we must to encourage the soothing balm of peace, to return strongly and walk, once again, protectively amongst us.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

PEERING IN THE DARK

 

Time for bed, I have been advised. Obediently, I do as I am told. 

Once in the dark, I light up my room and book with my phone’s torch. 

As I continue ferociously reading through the most exciting part of the adventurous tale, peering in the gloom. 

Ears alert for sounds of someone coming to see if I was as sound asleep as I should be. 

Off with the phone, light and breathing controlled or as a punishment, my book could be whisked out of sight. 

Leaving me staring in the dark, impatient to imagine what twist the story would finally reveal. 

Before the writer completed the final words with a flourish: 

THE END! 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

BUS STOP CONVERSATION

 

A lady was waiting at the bus stop as we approached. Which meant the bus was on its way and had not been missed.

Laughing Anna and I discussed the weather, we included the bus stop lady in our discussion.

Our conversation took on another story when I asked, "Have you always lived here?"

She had lived in London most of her life and had worked in Selfridges for 40 years, starting as a very junior trainee sales girl.

She amused us with a glimpse of the morning inspection. 

"You had to show your hands and nails, have your makeup and hair checked. Before being turned round to have stocking seams inspected to make sure they were in a straight line and no ladders. They were very strict, mind you, it has given me a lifetime’s pride in my appearance."

"Telling you all this has reminded me of a very silly thing. I worked in the store for 40 years and never found the staff canteen in the basement. We were only allowed a ten-minute break and by the time you got down there, it was time to go back. I could have asked the senior staff if I was brave enough, but I wasn’t. There were a lot of doors in the basement, I was scared to open them and waste time looking."

I laughed and said "I would have to have found it, after working there all that time, curiosity would have killed me."

She was such a kind lady and permitted me to write up this bus stop conversation. 

I do hope we meet again, to fill in the gaps in her intriguing story.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

A WEIGHT I CANNOT MOVE

 

Did I awake unable to move and puzzled?

An unbearable weight,

Stopped me from leaving my bed.

No matter how I tried, 

I just wanted to stay safe.

I was fine on going to bed,

Last night, or was I?

The doubt niggled, 

When did I last feel fine, 

Comfortable in my own skin, 

My mouth’s so dry.

The effort of thinking, 

Probing was almost too much.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

What is needed is sleep.

Yet the oblivion was denied, 

The weight pressed harder.

My heart picked up it’s pace, 

Race, race, race, 

Panic death awaits.

Speech is denied, 

Who is there to trust? 

Who can see beneath the mask of normality,

Secured in place by me?

The key to control is mine, 

To find the good in me!

To forgive and deal with the things,

That need to be spoken, 

Freely in the open, 

With no need for blame or perfection. 

Close the door firmly on rejection, 

Allow praise, forgiveness 

And understanding to slowly move in.

There are new life pages 

Ready for my changes, 

The weight is lifting. 

I am back in control, 

Tomorrow is another challenge for me, 

I can wriggle free I have the key.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

VAST JOURNEY’S HERE AND THERE

 

VAST JOURNEY’S HERE AND THERE

Sailing across the oceans solo, bobbing about in a boat, feeling so very remote.

Yet above my head are trillions of miles of space unexplored as yet.

The planets we have named, those close by can be seen with the telescope's eye.

Those way beyond, twinkle and sparkle, like a diamond-encrusted curtain floating high.

The time it takes on crossing this ocean, seems so very long to me.

Yet journeys above my head, will take years and sometimes longer to reach into eternity.

I content myself with here and now, leaving journeys that will take much longer, for others to follow.

I will be gone, just dust for the wind to blow on to the wide beyond.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LAP DOG

 

While having a cup of coffee in a small fishing village in Spain, a young girl of about seven or eight, came over and chatted away in rapid Spanish. 

She bent down, picked up a young dog of about three months old and placed her in my lap.

‘Mimi, Mimi,’ she repeated.

I accepted her puppy and gently stroked her talking in bits of Spanish I had accumulated. 

The dog settled comfortably and the girl chatted on to me with lots of arm movements. 

I said I did not speak Spanish. 

Her mother called her, to tell her what I had said.

She just moved nearer and carried on chatting. 

The dog lay unconcerned she did not need any translation. 

She just enjoyed the universal language of love and touch and willingly gave her trust. 

It was a special moment for me to treasure.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SAYING GOODBYE WITH HOPE

 

Let your tears join the many in the lake.

Let your words fly with the wind,

High up into the hills till they reach the sky.

Now the time has come 

For letting go of the person you call mum.

Yet the hope of reuniting is there,

As, one day, this journey we must all must take.

And the ones you love will be there, 

Waiting with a heavenly welcome for you.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WORDS SPOKEN IN ANGER

 

WORDS SPOKEN IN ANGER

Words spoken in anger often carry immediate regret.

No amount of apologies clears their memory from their head.

Time is the only healer and we sometimes run out of that.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

FRUSTRATING STUPIDITY

 

FRUSTRATING STUPIDITY

The screen went blank on my I-Pad, locked solid.

Defied all attempts to revive it.

'Oh, what did I do? Come on tell me. What did I do?'

Silence!

'Come on you are part of the problem. You must know.'

Silence!

'Or are you having a moment to yourself. All right, I'll wait, don't be too long.'

I filled in time with other tasks. A ping rang out.

'You're back! Oh, thank goodness, I thought you had a terminal affliction. We are so comfortable together most of the time. I did not want to buy a replacement. To struggle through and learn, new more complicated tricks, for a smooth companionable partnership which we already share. Nice to have you back.'

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

THE BABY GIRAFFE

 

THE BABY GIRAFFE

I landed with a thump and woke into a strange world. My mum was pulling something off me and giving me a good wash with her tongue.

Making small quiet air grunting noises which I found very comforting. Other giraffes came to greet me with a touch and a puff of warm air.

They were so tall and I felt so small, yet I somehow knew we were a family. I had to have a few tries at attempting to stand up, Mum nudged from the rear.

Finally, my legs lined up splayed and locked into place, suddenly I was taller but still not tall enough.

This was a struggle I had to win to reach up and suckle my mum’s vital milk. It was something I was born knowing, don’t ask me how.

Staggering about I finally made it, and found the teat I had to nuzzle. Oh the joy, hard to explain, as I guzzled as fast as I could, to fill my stomach with this glorious food.

Day after day I gained in strength, and my legs strengthened, as I followed the herd with my mum.

I learnt I had to reach up as high as I could to find the tenderest and the tastiest food. As other animals shorter than us, stripped all the leaves off the lowest branches of trees and bushes we passed.

Life was good for Mum and me, with Dad and my family always nearby.

Then one dawn with no warning men and lorries started chasing us, Mum fell with no warning and struggled to move. I stopped and stood beside her I did not know what to do.

The lorries stopped and men came towards us talking gently, Mum was all floppy.

They took her first gently, shepherding her into the back of a lorry up a ramp. I meekly followed as close as I could. It was very scary and I shivered a lot.

After a while, we were safely underway, bumping along on the rough ground. I did not have a clue where we were going too, till I heard someone say.

These are the lucky ones who are going to an animal sanctuary and breeding programme in the U.K.

Not that I knew what that meant, though I do now. It is home and safety, but somehow Dad got left behind. Mum was upset and so was I for quite a long time.

I grew and grew and met some young friends, Mum met a handsome kind stranger and that is where this story ends.

We are here, to ensure giraffes will always be seen roaming freely restored, to the free African Weald.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

HOLDING ON AND LETTING GO

 

Lying there waiting for sleep to claim and close most of my brain.

A part of my brain starts to move into my past it starts travelling.

At first, I fight then let go, allowing pictures of places past to unravel, I wallow in nostalgia and memories of a life well lived.

Trying to cling to thoughts of loved ones as they once were.

Slowly sleep creeps in again and my memories start to fade, I let go, knowing rest is needed for a day of decisions waiting to be made.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

MAKING A VIDEO

 

Yesterday was an experiment, organized by Anna as mistress of ceremonies.

I just obeyed, doing retakes, with gales of laughter, when aircraft appeared off cue, as a distraction. 

My husband wandered past oblivious to us, talking loudly to himself puzzling out a plumbing problem. 

Portuguese steam began to rise, 'What is this? Just a few minutes. Ok! Just a few minutes.'

Not to mention me suddenly spotting a word which needed a tweak or removal, to make the audio flow more smoothly, to my ear at least. 

Plus the occasional stumbling over my tongue. 

Once complete, we settled to look and listen to our handy work.

In a serious voice, I asked Anna, 'What is that stick doing on the table?'

'What stick?'

'Take a look.'

Her face fell when she said 'We do again, you want that word change, I refused earlier. Now we can do it!'

'No, we can't, the cat who wishes to be mine would never be able to walk in on cue again. The stick and the word stays. It is a wrap.'

Laughter plays a big part in anything to do with us.

It looks as though you will have to suffer some more of these.

©  Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

NATURES WARNING

 

So far nature has been sounding warning bells for us to pay attention to, in multiple parts of the world.

Are we listening I am not quite sure. 

Yet each evening a new disaster, fire, flood, hurricane, in multiple places at once, with a death rate rising, homes destroyed, businesses too, crops burnt to the ground, or sodden by mucky flood water. 

If that were not enough, humanities fight against humanity, bombs maiming, destroying livelihoods, homes, hospitals, and schools. 

Leaving more and more people starving and homeless below the poverty line.

Now it is hitting people in all parts of society, will they take note and join the rest of the world to call for urgent change? 

In how we look after the earth we all live in.

It is not too late for sensitivity, unity, and others to work together to make changes to restore it over time.

Is there anything you and your family can do with others in your community? 

To help Is there? Each one of us has to try.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

HEARING COINCIDENCE

 

While I was amusing myself, browsing, through the returned book trolley at the volunteer-run library at Kerikeri in New Zealand. 

A gentleman said rather loudly, ‘I hope you’re not messing up my system!’

I replied ‘Hopefully not, as that would be a shame.’

Cupping his hand to his ear he said ‘Sorry I can’t hear you I’m deaf.’

At that moment a bookmark fluttered to the floor from the book I was holding. 

The gentleman said ‘You’ve dropped your bookmark!’

I replied ‘No it's not mine.’

‘You can keep it.’ He answered.

On picking it up and saying thank you, I had to giggle to myself, as the bookmark was advertising an Audiology service in the North Island.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LONGING FOR TIME TO CHANGE

 

LONGING FOR TIME TO CHANGE

You are the only person; who can change things, to do whatever you want to do.

Just remember, the life you have now, is much shorter than a blink of an eyelid. 

Do you really want to miss it?

Your changes may release someone else, to do what they really want to do.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WORDS REPEATED

 

WORDS REPEATED

Words repeated and repeated and thought over

Are not so often fought over.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

GIVE ME A GIGGLE

 

Give me a giggle, 

Give me a laugh!

Make my sides heave,

With a breathless gasp.

Let’s chase all the gloom away.

Give me a funny face.

Or a clean comical joke.

To make me laugh 

And splutter when drinking my coke.

Do dance with lots of quick wriggly stuff.

Making everyone laugh as they try to copy us.

Changing partners and dancing,

With the jokes and laughs gently flowing.

Till the last dance with you, 

When filing our way out,

Calling cheery greetings,

As we make our home.

Let’s keep the laughter,

Going till our front door, 

Where we will tap tap the knocker.

Laugh and laugh and giggle 

Our way through the open door.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

OH NO!

 

OH NO!

Oh no!

Too late don't send!

When late at night,

I compose a post.

In daylight up pops an error,

It shows and offends.

Why on earth did I press send?

I do not write with perfection.

So from time to time, 

I need correction.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WORDS DROP

 

WORDS DROP

Words drop, 

From my heart.

Onto a page,

Where they stop!

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

PEN TO PAPER

 

PEN TO PAPER

Thoughts about putting pen to paper and it’s long-term effects.

Thinking about it, I was reminded of my terror of writing for half my life. Yet I did write, not knowing how important what I wrote would be.

Each year I have a diary, some filled with lots of excitement, and others have big empty patches. I look at wondering what happened there, trying hard to remember.

If you are anything like me you put little notes in as well, they make very interesting reading, producing quite several laughs.

If this has stirred your interest in looking at the past and writing new stories, from your old books it will have been worth my putting my pen to paper.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

BEST FEELING

 

To hear your voice is a delight, 

To have you beside me,

Is the best feeling in the World!

 

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

BOOKING PROBLEM

 

We started our few days, by being snarled up in an inch-by-inch traffic jam trying to cross the Thames at the Dartford tunnel. The result was I had to cancel our meeting with my adopted daughter in Norfolk. We were both very sad.

On arrival at the hotel, we had a booking problem, caused by having our two-night stay booked by two different well-meaning people. It meant we would have one night in one room and then be moved to another less expensive one for the next night, as it was a party booking. 

There was no way around it, not even by paying more as there were no upgraded rooms left. I was quite resigned to the outcome of a two-night downgrade into the cheaper tiny room. 

My husband was not amused until I said, 'You have to laugh. We rarely, go away these days and lashed out on the best in-house sea view room.

Now, look at us! Two nights tucked into a snug little room with gorgeous views of old colourful cottages, rooftops and a huge expanse of active sky. I think we have the perfect deal even if the price is different for each night in this room.

The giggles started, the laughter was unstoppable for a while. Eventually, We settled before setting off to explore. We are closing down for the night. 

I will try and tell you what happened next tomorrow.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LOVE HOVERING

 

LOVE HOVERING

Love is here

With you

Around you

Ready to share

With those you

Really want to be there.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT

 

WORDS

Make every word count!

Every word that you say,

Once said, 

You can’t take it away!

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WORDS HAVE POWER

 

WORDS HAVE POWER

The size and number of words do not carry the impact.

It is in the powerful feelings and information they convey.

© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License