​SAFELY BACK HOME

The house is waiting with no lights on, no fire lit.

Gripped in the approaching darkness gathering fast

Homeward bound hurries the owner, feeling as cold as can be.

Fumbling the key impatiently into the icy lock, brushing off snow, before stepping into the sheltered porch. 

Lights on, slipping off and hanging up coat. 

Stepping out of boots, and into slippers and jacket still cold to touch.

You make your way to the fireplace, to ignite the fire allowing warmth and comfort to seep slowly everywhere.

The waiting kettle starts singing its merry song, and you are once again safely back home.

©️2026 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image by image by AI generated

THUNDEROUS CHANGE

                                                                    

It started a glorious day, when like a herd of stampeding buffalo,

The storm hit, bellowing, wrecking, destroying all we knew.

For an hour or two it enforced its terror, nothing we could do.

Except to know life for now would never be the same.

All we had was hope, love and community spirit to rebuild the trampled land.

To remain strong and know our human family, can work to return our community to order and our 

homes to peace and a different tranquillity again.

2025 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: pexels.com  

UNSETTLED TROUBLE SKY

 

Unsettled troubled sky, what message do you bring as you whizz by?

Forecasts of rain and disruption, for days, have been by man relayed.

Yet occasionally, you change your mind, sending a day of brilliant sunshine.

With hope, we ask for your more gentle embrace.

To help rain-soaked flooded land, gain some time for respite, recovery and ease.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

NIGHT CLOAK

 

As the daylight started to fade, together we sought our last drink before flying high to find our favourite safe roost for the night.

We huddled together murmuring soft sounds of comfort to one another, as we waited for the cloak of darkness to descend.

Once in place no more noise did we make to remain hidden and safe. Till the slowly rising sun bathed us in warmth, replacing the chill of the night.

Only then could we sing in celebration of the arrival of a new day.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

A PUFF OF BREATH

 

Leaves the mouth,

Sharp frost fills the air,

Visible to all.

In warmth the breath,

Still expelled,

Is invisible to see.

Yet, it carries drops,

Lethal at times

To you and me.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WINTER TALES

 

As the shadows start lengthening, the sun continues it’s slow sliding to appear elsewhere as the dawn.

The ice starts it’s musical orchestration creating loud cracks with the creaking of branches breaking, ice expanding, and tumbling rocks and logs down into the river below.

The sky is clear, the moon bright and illuminating till freezing fog throws it’s weight around.

As darkness gradually settled it’s cloak comfortably on the ground.

A lone wolf sent out it’s challenge on top of a nearby hill, before retiring into the comfort of his den.

The countryside settled down till the sun appeared over the horizon again.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SWING

 

Leave some time to stare at the clouds rushing by creating amazing scenes. 

Then at night switch off the lights and gaze at the stars and remember how far away they are. 

Just know when they fade away from you, they light the night skies where your family are too just a few hours away or a twenty-four-hour swing.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

LIGHT IN THE CABIN

 

There is light in the cabin tonight.

Who dared to journey if the weather was not right?

Snow is thick on the forest floor.

With ice crunchy and dangerous lurking below.

The car is on a stop, start, push, shove.

Burning within, one hand freezing having lost a glove.

The cabin appeared out of the gloom.

At last out of the car, head down and trudge up the hill.

Slipping and sliding, puffing with packs wearing you down

A quick lookup, five more steps and a key in the door.

No welcome yet till the generator comes on, lights and fire are aglow.

Time to glance at the approaching night and the sight of the moon.

Before closing the door, allowing the warmth of love to be shared and overflowing within the room.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WILD WEATHER

 

Oh to be out in the wild weather and the wilderness, where my roughened, damaged feelings can break free, to be grounded, before returning refreshed once more to me.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

DESERTED WINTER BEACH

 

The snow-dressed beach few have come to stroll leaving it free for seagulls to patrol even they are reluctant to fly in search of food to eat.

Just huddled together for warmth in buildings draft proof retreats. Before being driven by hunger and a competitive streak to battle one another for food to eat in the ocean or on the street.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo by Discover Worthing

FALLING LEAVES

 

The first sight of buds growing high in the trees after the barrenness of winter brings us such pleasure.

When suddenly they burst open into fresh green leaves of various shapes and sizes, announcing the arrival of spring and the departure of winter.

They stay aloft or in clumps of bushes, with gentle breezes or violent gales to keep them actively dancing on their branches.

Giving shade and safe nesting places for the birds, and removing carbon from the air that we breathe for us.

As the summer moves on and the temperature changes, leaves begin their final swaying dance, before falling down to the ground to their slow decay, and final mulching.

Just before the leaves start falling, they change colour into gold, red, and brown, giving us cause to admire them before their complete detachment.

They have a last task to do, to provide food for other plants, trees and insects, plus fungi to enjoy.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Anna Almeida

CHALLENGING NIGHT

 

Dusk fell and clouds flew gathering strength, when racing chasing over a now sightless black sky. Stars eclipsed, and we retired to bed to ride a wild night in our beds secure. Hot tea supped as winds in gusts rattled the roof tiles. Lights out and deeper into our cosy blankets we withdrew.

Outside, just through the wall, the trees are savagely thrust, every which way to and fro. In a sustained prolonged vicious blast, a crack, a thud, a branch tumbled to the valley floor. Not taking the blackbird's nest, I sincerely trust and all the other living things, I hope have found a place of safe retreat.

Again a saturation, battering on windows trying to find a way in. Furious whining hits the ears through the smallest of cracks and around the sharpest corners. The wind tries brute force rattling tiles, to say I will find a way in. The bedclothes I grasp in a firmer grip, keeping fear at bay staying tightly lipped.

How long is this storm going to dance like a demented tango dancer? My heart sank when I heard it say, it’s here for a few more days. I hope the work of the builders long ago, will hold for that length of time. I bury my head to wait in the hope of the calming light of day.

© 2024 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License 

COAL

 

Coal stays hidden in a hole in the ground.

Show not your face you are in disgrace.

Fumes you expel make us unwell.

When burnt for warmth the discomfort you leave behind.

We are looking for cleaner support and a much healthier time.

© 2024 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License 

I LOOKED

 

I looked and waited in the warm, out at the falling rain. Hoping it would stop pouring so I could go home again. I did not want icy fingers to caress my face, or wetly with the wind, tangle my clothes tightly around my legs in vicious embrace.

Reducing an elegant stride to a snail’s pace. As through unseen puddles, I might have to splash my way. An umbrella’s unfolding though attempted would not last long, as the gale blew and blew so very strong.

This pub is about to close no longer could I dawdle, tightly gathering my belongings I rushed out into the storm, to my home which was just next door.

© 2024 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Image © Kannan Spartan

I SIT

 

I sit and gaze at the sky, with fluffy images floating by, ever-changing rearranging so relaxing to the eye. At times static pure white pillows bathed in brilliant sunlight, hang resting on an azure bed. Recovering from the drama they have fled.

The breeze changes tempo gloomy clouds collide till lightning strikes, thunder roars with the need to vent, rain falls to soak the land. I sit and gaze amazed at this theatre in the sky. Allowing me moments of relaxation and inner calm.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

IN SILENCE

 

Sitting surveying the scene in silence, with a view stretching from horizon to horizon. Not a human or a dwelling to be seen. Expectantly waiting for the drama to start.

The air is electrically charged with gathering threats. A flash, a clap as thunder roars across the mountain tops. In awe you crouch in insignificance, a mere human caught in this display. The flush of fear as the battle creeps nearer, nearer.

Another flash and thunderous roar as rain begin to pour. Trying to seek a way to wet every dry item you might have been wearing. The view was now lost, obliterated, with rain and mist, with you not knowing how long this battle would persist.

Patience and courage are tested as you wait, feeling in your pocket, for that small bar of chocolate, into which you so sensibly did slip. Two hours crept by, till the rain dwindled and passed leaving a scent like no other.

Refreshing, energising, encouraging new birth and hope, as you arise shake off the residual rain and stand to watch. The mist left the mountain tops, with the sun slipping illuminating it’s way to the valley floors.

Time for me to leave and carefully pick my way home, tucking away the memories of an afternoon caught alone in a storm. One last look as silence is restored.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

WHEN NATURE CHANGES

 

When nature changes the surroundings overnight. 

Dressing us in glimmering garments, oh so white.

Changing and dazzling everything within our sight, to some, it brings loud squeals of delight.

The spirits of others can’t help but dip down low, as out into the cold and slippery paths they have to go.

Shepherds out searching fields and hedges for their sheep, wishing they were in bed, warm and comfortably fast asleep.

Policemen and firemen patrolling as they have to do, looking forward to a hot comforting brew,

While the people they seek are sensibly tucked up in bed. They are not daft.

Indoors, excitement grows as children and animals gather, waiting to escape outdoors.

Out they pop, running and dropping into the snow with a plop. Laughter and barking mix as snowballs start to fly non-stop.

Adults gazing out at the happy scene, warming to the memories flooding back of years long ago when it was they who were rolling in the snow, making a snowman to leave proudly standing frozen on show.

No matter when trains are late, buses fail to show when trapped, unable to go.

Schools close, offices and shops too, as hospitals struggle to cope with more than a few extra people needing a precious bed.

At home, meals are made to keep all warm and fed. Games are played indoors and out, before the weary climb to bed.

And nature changes the scene by softly dropping more pristine, cold, white snow.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

A BOLT

 

A bolt a strike,

Bright light.

Spark flew,

A cross the sky,

Hail fell loudly.

Rain drenched ground,

In the heat, all vanished.

Now drought.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

EARLY RISERS

 

Evidence of early risers lay in the crush of the freshly dropped snow.

As tyre tracks made their way downhill and around the corner.

The milkman, paper man, or baker were first to sully that pristine scene,

Making their way downwards with trepidation.

Followed by a traveller or two anxious to leave before more snow fell from the greying skies to trap them for days more than was their original intention.

Down the hill, with snow still falling they vanished.

The question now was would they return, with the thick snow gathering in the valley below?

On the hill the village sat waiting, they had seen it all before, hoping for some entertainment, to break the isolation of their day.

Who would appear around the corner, car or man labouring their way back to make a telephone call to say they were safe, preparing to stay a day and night in the village pub or hall?

With villagers gifting a huge pot of hot thick soup, bread and sausage rolls.

A gathering collected sharing tea and glasses of warming liquid gold, as stories were told with bouts of laughter and merriment thrown in.

A guitar appeared and was brought into play by a stranger and oh boy could he play.

The day passed and everyone headed to early bed down for the night.

Chatter quietly faded, as an occasional snore rolled free, and unseen in the night the snow stopped and thawed.

There would soon be reluctant early risers now friends to farewell on their way.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

SNOW

 

In the darkness of the night, 

Snow gently and silently falling.

Creating a hush, 

Visible only by it’s appearance 

In the glow of the street lights.

Changing the scenery a romantic sight.

To the young, 

The anticipation of the most boisterous fun.

Yet for others caught in murderous scenes, 

It conceals the horror.

Dropping thickly to be collected 

To quench the unrelenting thirst.

Whichever way you view it, 

Snow is a blessing at times to us.

2024 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License