Let my eyes greet the morning,
To look upon your smiling face
As in repose your beauty really showed
I watched your gentle breathing
Remembering the first day
Of your long-awaited arrival.
From that first glimpse
We were linked together
I reached to give you my tender touch
Fingers opened and grasped mine
Linked together with the bond that never broke
A truly strong bond of sisterly love.
2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST
Patiently waiting in this modern age, for the appearance of a magical relic from the Victorian past. It´s arrival was announced, with a triumph shrilling hiss of escaping steam through it’s whistle and the grinding of metal on metal.
A train, a steam train, paintwork, pitch black and shining, brasses gleaming. The name Gabriel worn proudly on it´s side.
Brakes are applied to take a firm grip with shoes not designed to slip. Arriving on rails shiny and new, to show off the craftsmanship of men long gone. Now revitalized by crafts taught and handed on anew.
A triumph of engineering used in various forms of trains transporting people and essential materials used to spread civilizations around the world.
The one I am describing resides in KawaKawa New Zealand.
2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
You I love! No you don’t!
I love you! I love you!
A collared dove flew swiftly by an ardent lover, calling and looming nigh.
I need no canoodling the other bird said, the horizons are calling me, to travel further and remain free.
I love you, I do, let me try to be your other half.
Not yet, I have much to see before responsibility traps me. You just have to plant your seed and go.
My responsibility is for the future not yet will I accept.
I long to see where the river meets the sea and the sunsets. To soar over hilltops and rest on luscious trees,
Talk to other birds I have never seen. Finding out where the safest place to perch and nest might be.
To land in the bird-friendly territory is my urgent plea, so stop your calls of love they are not for me.
I want to be free!
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A lovely girl brought a puppy,
To try to cheer a lady who was sick and sad.
She had a heart that was being very bad,
Skipping a beat and doing a fandango.
I tried to look reassuring, to keep her spirits up.
Each time she looked my way, I hoped the sight,
Of my colourful patchwork coat would bring a smile to her face.
I hoped she’d find me amusing, as my tongue sticks out.
It is impossible to put it away.
I hope she begins to love me, as I so want to love her,
All I can do for the moment is to watch, wait, and hope.
That she will get well and soon be able to play.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I am Sally!
A very well-treated and upper-class cat.
A fake diamond collar is worn around my neck,
So I sparkle and dazzle each time
I give a quick shake.
Brushing and grooming
Happen every day of my life,
A puff of an odour dispenser
Wafts smells out of the way.
They once tried to,
Colour my nails,
I strongly objected,
All I will tolerate is a quick
Clip around my toes.
I have to let them do that,
As nails start turning back,
Digging into my pads,
Changing my gait to an alley cat.
The bit I hate
And starts me loudly cat-a-walling.
Is when I am dipped in the bath.
Claws are out my sharp teeth too,
As I protest with you.
To stop this infringement of my cat rights,
I have to remind you,
We are protected you know,
They won’t always let you do to us,
What you want to do.
Meals I am real fussy,
I like salmon and shrimp,
Don’t give me scraps,
As I turn my nose up at them.
My toilet tray has to be pristine
Otherwise you will stand
In something,
You never intended or planned.
In company,
I am choosy and I know who I like.
The ones that I don’t, receive a quick bite,
Or scratch on the nose, or masses of fur that sticks,
On their expensive dark clothes.
The ones I love I hardly leave alone,
I follow them around
Everywhere in the home.
Yes! I do adore being,
Sally the Upper-Class Cat for sure.
© 2023 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay
On rising to see a splendid dawn and catch sight of dew and mist slipping down, to bring life to the struggling roots of plants, so they can grow into sustaining crops, we have freely scattered on fertile ground.
Awakening to see the noonday hot sun, working to provide a harvest of green, red and golden, with rain showers passing from time to time invigorating all, as they sweep through, with a breeze to keep things cool.
The bounty as lunch appears, satisfying all.
Awakening to the afternoon and calming down. Resting after labours constant weary demands, to till, plant and water our most precious land.
As evening calls some family fun begins.
Thankfulness for who we are here and now.
Awakening to another day and the knowledge we have much to be thankful for.
2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
There is the desperation when caught up in a war and hate, while terror and weapons of destruction rain mercilessly down upon the innocent.
When the denial of food, water and shelter are weapons of the cruelty of war. “Let us have peace, why are you doing this to us, we just want to live, in peace,” is the constant cry.
There is the bargaining and negotiating for years for peace, with hope hovering on the horizon, never giving up as there is too much at stake.
“Why can’t I be left in peace what have I done?” As once loving relationships slide into control, terror, tears and pain.
The plea for release from the constant battering of pain in illness, “take me I have had enough, l just want to be at peace.”
The calming of nature after the ferociousness and destruction of storms on land and at sea. Peace is the return of calm and the joy of survival, even amongst the devastation.
Then there is the other joyful peace, after a hard working day, as you enjoy the peacefulness of spirit after the accomplishment of a job well done at whatever level.
The joy of the birth of your newborn, and the plea for a night of peaceful sleep, as exhausted you rock them close.
The inner peace of being at one with nature and it’s restorative powers.
Peace means many things to many people, it is sought and cherished by many, even animals as they seek a peaceful existence amongst us.
Peace is far too valuable to tarnish and lose, combined hard work and unity by all is needed to protect it.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Your news is tough to take, brings with it decisions to make.
Look at every day as a moment of a new challenge.
Do things you have left undone, as you perhaps never had time to get them done.
Make a list, a sort of bucket list, to try things you might hate to have missed.
Pace yourself as medication helps you along.
Relax with music just before nighttime to ease anxiety and allow dreams to soothe.
There is always hope in the most desperate of times.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A small goldfish, with a twisted tail, lives in amongst all the other fish in my pond.
Yet it is not the damaged tail that first attracts your attention, it is a bright shiny ring of gold around the tail that catches your eye.
No other goldfish in the pond have such distinctive gold markings. It is almost as though nature has made up for his twisted tail by making him somehow special.
It does not seem to stop him from being able to swim. He has learnt to keep his balance, with quick spurts and circles through the water.
He does, however, spend, quite a bit of time on his own and seems braver than the other fish and is quite adventurous.
This little fish has twisted his way into my affection and I watch out for him every day to check and admire his progress. I have called him, Sparkler.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Daniela Silvia Serban
I think of life like a rose...
The rose bush grows strong and produces leaves and then a tightly wrapped green bud appears.
The bud swells and slowly starts to expand.
First showing a tiny pure pink petal edge pressing through the green embrace like a baby's pursed lips.
Slowly expands further with a pink body unfurling a bit
Finally, it burst pristine in its glory, showing its stamens and pollen.
Ready for it’s date with bees and other insects to pollinate and release it’s new issue.
Lacking a voice it’s scent and beauty call all towards it.
Work completed, slowly the petal edges start to blemish and darken,
To curl and wizen losing colour and suppleness slowly twists into a crumbling resemblance of the beauty it once was.
Before dropping and falling into the soil to be broken down gradually.
There to provide nourishment for another generation of plants.
I feel there is quite a similarity between our lives and the Rose.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
The sea mist rolled in covering the shore.
The boat crept in ever closer with the slight creaking of oars.
The men and goods carried within gave the cause and hint of the increasing tension.
An arm raised stopping the oars, as one man stepped overboard,
Indicating they had reached the still-hidden shallow shore.
An arm raised again for silence, as they strained to hear a hint of movement ahead.
Reassured, with speed they pulled the boat onto the shingle, disgorging boxes of various sizes away from the wet sea line.
Every now and then the arm was raised for silence and ears strained to listen.
As the final box landed, footsteps were heard approaching the shingle.
They fought frantically to tug their boat to deeper water and the protection of the mist.
Not knowing if the approaching footsteps were from friend or foe.
Rowing hard they made a safe distance out to sea, before congratulating each other, relaxing a little, with shared sips of cognac from a flask.
Another trip under their belt, with payment waiting for their pockets on landing.
Dare they make another, would their luck last?
When offered an unknown cargo, will the tension rise again, as they take up the fear of a smuggler's life, with ill-gotten gains and the knowledge they could be thrown for an unspecified length of time into a putrid, uncomfortable Jail?
Or would they say on contemplation enough is enough and feel the tension seeping away?
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Use your imagination to relieve a difficult situation.
Don’t just look ahead, rotate your head and look around.
Circumnavigate your imagination, to create new occupations not just for you.
Gather friends in your neighbourhood and others in Zoom room consultations, far and wide.
You will be amazed at the sparking of the fusion of ideas being bounced around creating excitement right across the oceans into numerous rooms.
There are many ways new jobs can be created if we act together, thinking outside the box.
In each part of our population, the Aged and Able/Dis barrier can at times be reduced when able, allowing minds and hands to be active and proud to add their efforts to help many community situations.
They have minds full of imagination and historical recollections to tap into for help.
We need to utilize intuition, imagination and creativity to move us forward.
Attracting the funding to activate the sparks created into slowly gathering flames, ready to warm hearts and homes and help money to sit a little longer in the bank.
Imagination is a powerful thing, let us try using it, to reach our exciting potential.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
The sounds of battle dwindling, the sounds of celebration Bells.
The sounds of people cheering and singing loudly as well.
The sound of bands and marching feet returning, home to all they treasured and held dear.
Yet they knew not all would be returning,as good friends and neighbours had sadly fallen.
Yet we knew how they fought and when they finally laid down still.
They asked us to share their stories if they did not return home with us, as they wanted you to know, exactly where and when, and hear their final words of love which only we could send.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
The neighbourhood has been alerted as Sylvester has not been seen for days. His mum is abroad so perhaps he just became bored and crept away. Maybe he has taken a journey to try and discover where she might be. There was such a hue and cry, as he had never strayed before.
It was amazing he never knew how popular he was, till he failed to appear on his familiar rounds. He could not understand why his mum had been gone so long as it had never happened, as far back as he could remember. So he set off to explore, got himself into a mess when through an open door he decided to explore. The gale slammed it shut, at first, he did not mind as there were smells to investigate.
A cosy chair to take his repose, but as the hours' pass, hunger and thirst made him pace and call out in disgust. “Open up someone, and let me home.” No one came till day four, he was feeling rather poorly, and despair was creeping in, kept alive by a drip of water collecting and falling along the back wall. Suddenly he was woken from his despairing doze. The door swung open, he was up and as swiftly as he could manage, slid out the door, homeward bound.
Grateful to have his freedom, and return to food and his comfortable home, which he was not going to stray from for a while. Everyone was delighted to see him back, he had never had so much patting and cuddles, yet the one he really yearned for was still not there.
One thing he could be sure of was she was not nearby, well certainly not in the places he had looked. He didn’t understand that the pandemic had prevented her from returning to him but his mum knew he was in safe loving hands with his Uncle Shaun
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A name which brings a smile and interest when it’s name is mentioned.
Set in the country, in a quiet rural spot, the shop sits snugly with a cosy thatched rooftop.
Protecting the experts working away with ancient skills to restore broken treasures,
To restore memories of family members, many are grieving still.
Stories of accidental damage to treasured possessions from family, friends, or colleagues with gifts thought beyond repair.
Though tenderly kept, as considered far too precious to throw away.
Histories and colours of the gift related to the expert, so they could reconstruct and restore, not stripping the heart and memories from the piece.
Anxiously leaving their treasured possession in expert caring hands.
Awaiting the summons, “Your repair is now complete, awaiting collection.”
The way up to the door with emotions and anxiety bubbling, as they are greeted and welcomed in.
They pause before the shrouded precious item, experts waiting anxiously to display for approval, the repair laboured with the sensitivity of their skilled hands.
“Ready!" Sometimes only a nod and a smile, with a drawn-in breath.
A whisk of material and there before anxious eyes, a gasp smothered by a hand, tears slipping thankfully free.
“It is beautiful, as it used to be! Thank you, thank you, the family will be so pleased.”
A handshake, with treasure clasped in careful hands, or if heavy, lifted gently by all into the safety of a car. Before the final wave and the contented memory-filled journey home.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
THE MARCH
Silently they stood at attention dressed in uniforms from all services.
Expectantly waiting for the shouted command.
It came and with the coffin of their Queen on a gun carriage, they marched off as one, boots following the beat of the drum.
Breaths blew 200 bagpipes into life joining the drums rat ta tat.
Men proudly marched in uniforms bright red, light blue and navy dark, with regalia and medals shining brightly.
Multi-coloured kilts swung in unison in a flurry of colour.
Other service bands joined in the orchestration of tunes favourites old and new.
A bell tolled a sorrowful sound ninety- six times during the journey to the final resting place.
At the Abbey, door music stopped, yet feet marched atmospherically on a few paces till called to halt.
With her family, the great and the good gathered from around the world awaiting their last opportunity to say farewell to their Queen and ours Elizabeth II.
Favourite Hymns and Prayers to send her on her heavenly journey.
Before the procession carried her to her final rest to join her husband’s remains in St George’s Chapel Windsor, all her earthly work was completed, as she moved into the comfort of God’s hands.
Another soldier a chief of soldiers now rests, all duties complete.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
As dawn, slips it’s way up over the hill.
So does the old day, slide reluctantly away.
Taking with it the past to be remembered as history.
The birds welcome the dawn of the new day with a song,
With its stories yet to be written and told.
I take pleasure to be here to enjoy it all.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Typewriter,
Dancing to it's own rules,
Have to find a way to tame it.
Took me half an hour
To write the last piece.
I will be back.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Have you seen my smile today?
Each time I have checked it is not there.
Oh where do you think it might have gone?
I wear it to let the World know I am fine.
Yet it has still not arrived on waking this morn.
Oh where do you think my smile has gone?
Perhaps it is a sign all is not right at this moment.
I have something deep down bothering me.
Oh where do you think my smile has gone?
It is said that honest admission eases a weight on the heart.
Allowing sadness to flee and smiles to restart.
Oh where do you think my smile has gone.
I now have a small clue, I know what to do.
I will place my hand on my heart, head on my pillow
Releasing thoughts that are uncomfortable.
Then when I awake I will look straight in the mirror
To see if my cheery smile has returned.
IT HAS! IT CERTAINLY HAS!
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
INDEPENDENCE DAY GLOBAL LITERARY HONORS from Motivational Strips jointly with Gujarat Sahitya Academy is respected worldwide as the highest testimonial a poet or writer can cherish.
This year we had 100 recipients from International countries who made it to this privileged list owing to their literary merit, interactions and clean track record.
The recipients were approved, and signed by Motivational Strips Global Administration and Gujarat Sahitya Academy on July 20th 2022. The recipients were chosen after an exhaustive evaluation owing to their literary contributions from mid 2021 to Mid2022.
All the recipients are eligible for an online certificate like the former years . But this year the added cherry on the cake is that the top 10 International recipients will receive complimentary hard copy of the certificate and a souvenir medal to mark the occasion.
In the still of the night, footsteps from the past are heard anew.
A soft brush of a sandal on a paved walkway.
A clip of hardened leather on a kerb.
The soft clatter of weight transfer together with the expelling of breath of restless horses after a hard day.
I have to let go of today to float backwards to connect with a distant time.
To really appreciate the way they lived their lives.
First the sounds surrounding us are totally different, remove bicycles, cars, van’s lorries trains, mobile phones, police cars and ambulances.
What commands your attention now?
No, it will not be silence!
It will be a cacophony of sounds.
Young, shrill voices earnestly selling goods to earn food for their families.
Costermongers shouting out their wares.
The selling of spices with their olfactory wafting tantalisation.
The whisper of silk beloved by women, and lavished on them by their men.
The warmth of wool being exchanged for the coolness of cotton as temperatures rise.
Passing the jewellery stall with a display of glittering, real or false gems tempting a purchase.
Last stop to the pub, for a pie and to sup a few tankards of well-deserved beer, never quite achieved, as you feel the years gathering you again and slipping you back to the present and home to bed.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I clicked on an advert from a well-known fashionable shop.
What a shock I got! Sandals flat and cushioned with a price that gave me a knock-
Who can buy these, they are nice looking, but oh my at a price tag of £1,010 a pop?
They are not a colour you could wear a lot, flashy though they are. They were not made to last for long as far as I could see.
Scuffs would soon show with wear and tear, repairs would cost an arm and a leg.
They must be mad as I run my fingers through my hair. For that price I could feed a whole family for a month it’s not fair.
If you are tempted, go to a cheaper area, you will find equally lovely sandals waiting there.
It might give you the thrill to have money available, for the appearance of some of those nasty little extra bills.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Without you, I'm in trouble,
Without you, I'm in a muddle,
Without you I'm lonely,
Without you, I can't find a thing I need,
Without you, I really go to seed!
Without you, I have memories to treasure.
But sadly I am now without you.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I have just been given that key,
To open my door.
To set me free now I can explore,
Searching for friends to help.
Make amends to those trapped
In poverty without end.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A smile once started, seeps out and spreads around the room.
Pushing away that long-existing feeling of gloom.
Even the hardest of hearts slowly gives way.
The longer it is observed, the wider it grows.
As you slowly push the gloom away.
Before walking forward to say in concern,
Daddy, did you really have such a terrible day?
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I am walking along this road at a slow creep.
Which years ago I could have traversed at a fair speed.
My bag is lowered every hundred yards for rest.
Other arm is required for my trusty stick.
So some sort of balance is sedately maintained.
To prevent a knee or other part giving way.
The more you walk the better it be, so they say.
Till the temptation of a seat beckons you.
Shun such comfort or on arising,
Moans and groans will burst forth.
In cries of pain, as joints start to creak.
While struggling to be upstanding again.
To perambulate homewards at a slow safe pace.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
