TERROR ROAMS

Leaving home now is not a natural thing.

Fear sometimes cloaks and surrounds you as you go innocently on your way,

Hoping you will not meet a knife-carrier on the street today.

It is amazing that they have not learnt that it does not give them strength.

It is the means to take their own life away, too.

After the attack, many perpetrators are caught within hours and, after a trial, are packed into jail.

Under threat from attack by other criminals, never knowing who has your back.

Afraid to be alone or join one of a pack, or to be singled out for too much praise,

Which gives rise to other inmates’ jealousy and rage.

Leaving two families in different ways forever changed; no way back.

So, before you pick up the knife, just remember it has the power to destroy many lives,

Not just now but for generations to come, destroying yours, too.

If not caught, the guilt will weigh you down and fear will reside in your chest.

You will never be the man you wanted to be, a man of worth, respected.

Cloaked, not in fear, but in the arms of generations of a loving family.

The choice is yours, mine too, never to carry a knife anywhere with you.

© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by Getty Images

​I AM HAVING A GRUMBLE

I am having a grumble, I am having a moan.

When a questionnaire falls through the letter box into my home.

With print so tiny, I just cannot see.

The message they are attempting to deliver to me.

If only you would make the print a little bolder.

I would happily and honestly comply with any questions required in your folder.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by Dreamstime

MISERY IS NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE ON THE FACE

Misery is not easy to see, as many comedians will attest, when seeking help.

Others hide the pain till it is too late to complain, and lock themselves away to end it all, leaving shock and horror at the ending of a talent so rare and much loved, one bringing fun and laughter to many and increasing their listeners’ well-being.

Questions hang in the air: why did we not notice?

Was there anyone close enough to listen? They must have been very lonely and desperate.

If you have miserable feelings and self-loathing, talk to someone you trust or ring MIND. TALKING COSTS NOTHING, yet could be pricelessly waiting to help you.

The charity,  Mind Support Line is 0300 102 1234 (England and Wales only)

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by istock

​HOT POTATO

We are facing difficult times at the moment, when a new virus has appeared creating anxiety for travellers round the World. Sadly it has started in China this time, at a very difficult time for the Chinese. It is their New Year and the time of the year they move on mass to see their families. Some have been separated from one New Year to another. So the decision to restrict travel in some areas has been important to prevent the viral spread.

It will be causing great sorrow, anxiety and loss of wasted food gifts for their families. My heart goes out to them and to those fighting this virus and the hospital and medically staff working to save them.

Round the World Scientists will be working very hard to find a vaccine to combat this strain. What can we do?

Public Health notices will be released to inform you.

Each Country will be working out their own advice on how to help yourself and others. You can use Google to see what the World Health Organisation advises and what other countries are doing. Keep informed with reliable information. Increase personal and family hygiene activity to a higher level seems to be helpful.

Good news we have had i rain, our water tanks have been refilled, everyone is delighted. For families on tight budgets it is a very welcome gift.

It is amazing how fast the grass and vegetation recovers after a period of drought. Perhaps it is my imagination but a fresh green is tinging the dried brown grass already, the grazing animals will be pleased with the boost.

Take care of one another, be mindful of others in need of help.

2026 ©️Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by pbs.org

​SERIOUS THOUGHTS

Hello everyone, I am sitting here thinking, as I often do, looking up at the sky that floats over you too.

The needs of people in different parts of the world and how they are valued.

I have just consumed a small biscuit and cheese meal,

which might have fed you for a week.

I have turned my water tap on for clean water, and it runs freely.

You have to travel long distances to find water clean enough to drink.

For you, the return is dangerous there and back in war zones and when you try to dodge man and animal attack.

I have no worries about my safety when at home or outdoors.

You worry constantly when carrying the heavy,

precious water, praying for a safe return to the thirsty people and animals awaiting a life-saving drink.

Listening to your story certainly makes me, and I hope others think.

How lucky we are to have water delivered by a tap and safe for all to drink.

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

image by innoafrica

THE EMPTY HOUSE

The front door was finally firmly closed, the key was given to the agent, and the house was put up for sale. It settled to cope with the silence and emptiness; a sad time.

Wind, rain, sun, and snow continued to batter its exterior as it awaited new owners. There were several false alarms as time dragged on. There is something very sad about an empty house.

Neighbours noticed the coming and going of potential buyers, escorted by the agents,

wondering who will buy, and will they fit into the neighbourhood?

The house wondered, too, as it knew this was a happy place to live.

It stood, waiting for the turn of the key and the joyous voices of a family bringing life back inside and calling it home.

2026 ©️Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by wevfewv from Pixabay

TANGLE

During our circumnavigation of the world, making human contact, in friendship and battle.

Over time and with technology, it is hard to tell friend from foe.

We are so interdependent, no matter where we live, on food, fuel, finance, armaments, water, and weather.

In this tangle that we weave, those we class as friends sleep too with our enemies, out of necessity.

Seeking water, fuel, food, armaments, and finance through the back door.

How will all this unravel? The tangle of human hate, greed, and friendship? Hard to say.

As we watch humans, their homes, and whole communities pulverised.

Instinctively, it is to keep family, friends, communities, and self-sufficiency close.

Using truth, the law, barter, and our friendships strong, to keep the peace for all living

in this oh-so-tiny, fragile world.

2026 ©️Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by Nesto_regularcat from Pixabay

SHOE HUNTING

I cannot imagine I am the only woman whose feet extend to size 10.5 narrow or beyond.

What on earth happens to them? Just scrolling through the adverts is frustrating, infuriating, demoralising. 8.A and a few at 9.A. One or two at 10. Then you hit a dead end.

Trying to find the size you need, which is carefully hidden in most internet shoe advertising, without scrolling all the way through. The shoes you fancy are dangled before your eyes as you search and search: are they the right size?

Only to have hopes dashed as they stop at 8, two and a half sizes too early.

A thrill starts when advertised in half sizes, ’til they inexplicably stop at 9.5.

Oh, what do women do when they are tall and have long feet?

How I long for summer when I can flip-flop about in almost bare feet. Best of all not to have to ask someone to put on my shoes for me. The half size, too, becomes an irrelevance as your foot is not constricted by a heel. At times, you can pace around in flip-flops in men’s sizes, providing they are narrow enough.

How I long to wear the shoes so elegantly displayed in adverts; there are quite a few.

Only the size is the last thing to view, if it can be found on the internet advertising; infuriating.   

Yet again, they stop at 8, 9, 10. That elusive half size, 10.5, if found, they announce they have run out of stock.

What happens to women who, I know, are exhaustingly searching for size 11 or 12? What about the half sizes needed? Forget it?

Not everyone is able to meet the horrendous cost the longer sizes demand.

Even flip-flops or sandals with a bit of bling, when found, come with a painful financial sting.

The search goes on, and on, wearing one pair out trying to find another.

2026 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by imthan from Pixabay

​HEAT WAVE

When the cold of winter is reluctant to retire, we long for summer sun! 

Not a heat wave!

Tender skins soon flare in painful redness, blisters rising.

Without protection of shade or cream, animals’ paws fry on sizzling roads and pavements.

Water becomes essential to carry with you and frequently sip.

Watch out for the old and the young wilting and fainting, needing support.

Wild animals and birds seek water, too, to drink and keep feathers clean to fly free.

Seek shade when possible, keep activities restricted, and cope sensibly with this burst of sun.

2026 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Luis Graterol on Unsplash

​WEALTH

Wealth has reached hideous proportions, in the hands of so very few.

Not earned, just grasped, with fear, bomb blasts, and data stolen, manipulated, and hard to trace.

The law bought, tainted, rewritten on behalf of the super rich, in multiple places.

To hide their misdemeanours and increase their corrupt wealth amassed over generations and by new, bright, dodgy minds.

A few millions are given with fanfares, presented as gifts to keep the populations quiet.

As slowly they are strangling freedoms long fought for and cherished by ordinary people.

Our homes have always been our castles, places of safety; even they are threatened in the data-taking and manipulation miles from our shores.

There are good people amongst the wealthy, of course,

who share encouragement and finance to develop and support new science and medicine, soil enrichment, and water and sea replenishment, and openly pay their taxes.

We just need many more of those, perhaps more mini than mega wealthy.

2026 © Penny’s Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image: pixabay.com

​ENGROSSED AUDIENCE

A midwife was called to deliver another midwife’s case. She anxiously battled her way through miserable weather to a travellers’ site. She was welcomed and escorted to one of the caravans.

On entering, she was hit by a blast of warm air as the door opened and closed for her. 

As her eyes accustomed themselves to the bright light, she saw a woman lying on a bed, surrounded by many small faces of children of various ages looking up at her.

She knew she could not send them out into the bitter night. So, she assembled them as best she could, to have enough room to deliver their next sibling. Her training and experience kicked in, and she set about her task to deliver a baby and mother safely.

All went well with her engrossed audience, until the baby was born. Naturally, they wanted to know if they had another brother or sister. When they saw her cut the umbilical cord, they wanted to know what it was. She explained it was how their mum fed the baby when it was in her tummy, just as she did for them before they were born. The children giggled and laughed and made yuck noises. 

Another question was: why had it not opened its eyes? Was it alright? She explained it was very normal and it would open them up when it was ready.

Glancing around at the assembled family, the smiling faces, sharing the gift of life, gave her an amazing feeling and a wonderful memory to take away with her.

A Shared Tale from Anne Watts and Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen.

© 2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Picture: pexels.com

FINAL WORDS

 

Death is the final part of life.

When words unspoken remain unsaid.

Returning to haunt you unexpectedly from time to time instead.

So release your words as a final message to remain at peace after that.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Ann on Unsplash

VOLUNTEERS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY

 

No matter where you go, volunteers are hard to find. Organisations that have helped for years to keep the home fires burning are shutting their doors; no volunteers are applying.

Yet the numbers suffering from the damaging, brain-freezing, isolating condition called loneliness are multiplying, and multiplying around the world.

You hear the sadness and loneliness on the buses, in the doctor’s and hospital waiting areas, in schools and universities, on park benches. So many sufferers are dying of the curable disease of loneliness.

Yet the cure is there; you can afford it, and it is so satisfying. Volunteer. Give it a try; take the first step: say “May I help you?” Chatting and helping one another, combining your strengths and weaknesses, is so rewarding.

Friendships are made, many lasting whole lifetimes. You will never be turned away as not needed. You will be welcomed with open arms and gratitude, with whatever you are able or willing to offer as a VOLUNTEER.

Then you can start really living. There is never an overcapacity of volunteers. You will always be needed.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

SAYING GOODBYE

Saying goodbye with no departure date,

Knowing you will never miss it or be late.

So, ahead of time, you prepare the way.

Powers of attorney carefully selected,

As you will entrust them with your final hours and earthly estate.

A will is essential or there may be permanent family discord.

Even in the best families, unless clearly expressed,

Emotions will arise causing division and distress,

As battles are fought over the smallest of possessions

You might have left.

Unless you wickedly choose to have your payback time

To relatives and friends who have been unkind.

Make sure those who inherit are those you really intended.

So, when the call comes, you can leave this world contented.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

WINDS OF CHANGE

Winds of change slowly gathering.

Anxiety rising, as whispers spread.

No sign of dust starting its swirling,

Just a scent in the air and anticipation.

A sound, faint at first, as heads turn to listen.

Growing louder and louder as fear rises.

Bombs and missiles start their journey,

Deadly accurate, but not for us.

We run like rabbits to find shelter,

To cover our ears and cuddle in a huddle.

Trying to make out what and who is to blame.

The signs were there, yet we thought it was war games.

The winds of change are now here, and we fear.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

COME CLOSER

 

Come closer, come closer, let me whisper.

Come closer, come closer, let me say

How much you have meant to me as my husband,

Every night and every day.

We have not always been angels; that would not be true.

Our sharp words of disagreement fly by in a moment or two.

As we support ourselves and others with our love and wisdom during lives well lived.

Come closer, come closer, let me whisper.

Come closer come closer, let me say

Now we are getting older, time speeds faster, it seems.

We take longer to do simple, remembered things.

Memories become a little confusing, and names are difficult to recall.

We back one another in sorting them into order once more.

Our delight at the ring of the doorbell when someone comes to call.

The sharing of new stories as we retell ones from our past recalled and recalled.

Come closer, come closer, let me love you.

Come closer, come closer, let me say

Our youthful passions have dwindled, yet love has grown.

A touch, a smile, a laugh, a look kindles a tingle every time.

Our pledge of love, long-lasting, staying together is true.

As we take one day after another, sedately muddling through.

How about a cuddle and a kiss? 

We are never too old for love.

Something we are so glad we have had together and never missed.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash

IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS

 

An old saying, at times so very true. It is certainly pouring on me at the moment. 

It seems never-ending, all-consuming, with elements of pain, physical and mental.

You wonder: what next? 

There is often more before the end is in sight. It appears as though there is a reluctance for anything to return to normal, whatever normal is…

Oh, normality is there; it is just difficult to tackle at first. If you can, as a first step, spread all your concerns onto the table and list them numerically.

Looking closely, as I am doing at the moment, place them in order of importance. Brutal honesty has to be used in some instances.

I am carefully pondering them to see if I can do anything to make a difference with each one. Put the ones you know you can change on a separate list.

I am hoping that by reducing the long list to a manageable size things will change. In fact, some have moved already.

Later on, I will look at the ones I had difficulty with, on the remaining list.

I am sure, by then, they will be ready in a very different light to move away, restoring me to the person I usually am.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

COLOUR MAKES NO DIFFERENCE

 

Skin no matter what colour just protects the functional elements in a tight hold. 

It is the heart and spirit which shares the goodness for others to find.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LISTEN TO ME

 

Please listen to me!

Will you let me have my say?

How I have kept silent all this time with resentment swirling and turning thoughts in my mind.

Playing with sentences round and round in my head.

Shall I say it this way? Or would this other way be better?

Oh, why do I wrap it up? Why can’t I just say it? 

What is the matter with me? Why have I become such a wimp?

When first we wed, conversation flew, especially in bed. There was nothing we did not share; Laughs there were aplenty.

What is going wrong? Can we put it right?

Perhaps I need to say to him, “It is your turn. I will now listen to you.”

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

SKIN DEEP

 

My skin is as thick as yours; protects me, it is true, from infection trying to burrow through. Yet mine has more protection than yours.

We speak the same language and live in the same town. However, it took a while for me to realise there was a dividing line.

Humans we are; we bleed and hurt inside and out.

What was the difference that kept me in low regard and you in an exalted place?

My qualifications, pardon my mentioning, are superior to yours; yet the barrier is still there. It was the colour of our skin of many shades that separated us from you.

Thankfully, there are many who accept us in friendship and family, with no hidden agenda.

In time, the mixing of our genes will make this a very special land. Nowhere in the world is there a community of perfection; that would be too much to expect of humankind.

All we ask is a level playing field and for you to see the beauty of our nature. We will blossom and show you the experience and knowledge we have to share.

Together, in friendship, we will help improve the lives of everyone, proving it has nothing to do with the colour of our skin, but plenty to do with the willingness of our hearts.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License