Welcome to WobblingPen!

Jul 19, 2023

A CLOSE ENCOUNTER

After taking delivery of our hire car, on holiday in Spain, my husband and I set off for the day.

He had to immediately accustom himself to manual gears, new road signs and driving on the opposite side of the road. I had to become the fastest navigator imaginable.

Needless to say, the atmosphere was fraught for the first few hours. At last, we stopped for lunch and normality returned.

After lunch we felt better, only a short while later to have our confidence destroyed by losing a wing mirror, passing badly parked cars on a very narrow road.

It took us several days before we could manage to get a replacement mirror, but somehow we did, before returning home.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 18, 2023

LOVE

Love is on my mind, it is such a powerful emotion.

For generations, it has been talked about, written about, sung with musical scores about, painted and sculptures made about.

It has been longed for, lost, rejected, and slow to appear.

At other times it arrives with a glance, a touch, a kiss that lasts a lifetime.

Amazingly love can move compassion across the World to people and animals unknown and unseen to us.

That is powerful!

Its power is in how it affects us in our relationships through life, starting in the womb with our mother and later with our husband or wife and our children.

It is not plain sailing, jealousy, gentle letting go, total rejection and loss hang on this emotion called love.

If not handled carefully can blight others over time.

Love is like sand in your hand, some sticks, the rest with no feelings left to slip off.

How does love fit in your life now?

What benefits does it give to you?

What care and knowledge about this emotion long studied and experienced called love, can you pass on?

See what a difference you can make in the name of love.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

DANGEROUS GAME

Looking out of my window a stealthy movement caught my eye along the edge of the trellis marking the boundary of our home. It looked too secretive to be a squirrel.

It was Jake, a small cat I was friendly with. What's he up to? Watching patiently, I spotted a lovely little Robin red breast sitting on the top of a section of the fence.

Jake with his eyes firmly fixed on the robin and his paws gripping hard to maintain his balance on the narrow fence top-edged towards him.

The Robin sat waiting, with one eye on the cat. Once Jake got too close for comfort, he flew to the next section of the fence and awaited the arrival of the stalking cat.

When it finally looked as though disaster would strike, the Robin flew onto a revolving clothesline he alighted on the arm farthest away from Jake. There the little bird fluffed up all his feathers, to make himself look as large as possible.

Jake the cat, eyed the distance between them and realized he couldn’t make it without jumping to ground level. He was a small cat and the thought of the long drop to the ground scared him.

He started retreating along the fence, with several scathing backward looks at the triumphant Robin.

Score: Bird one, Cat nil.

Quite a change!

Photo: Pixabay

Jul 17, 2023

LOVE EXPLAINED

I want to be loved,

Not left.

I want to be cherished

Not abused.

I want to feel safe.

Not insecure.

I want to give love.

Watch it blossom.

See our feelings

Slowly grow.

That is the love

I want to share

And know.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

GLASSES

The days arrived that I've always dreaded.

My arms aren’t long enough to get my needle threaded. I have to screw up my eyes till they are horizontal slits, trying to make out the constantly shimmering little blips. I try to manoeuvre till I am in bright light, but I have now to admit I am losing my sight.

So it is off to the opticians and it's glasses for me, long-range and short, two pairs it will have to be, so that, I don't greet total strangers as though they belong to me. I might then be able to keep a comfortable distance between myself and the TV.

If any of this is familiar to you, it is time you went to see who you know. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes; just don't scream too loudly, when you first have a glimpse through glasses of the contours of your face or catch sight of the marks on the kitchen's clean white surface.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

MARRIAGE

Marriage is one of the important decisions as individuals, we have to make.

There is no advanced training expert, following the best examples of your parent's or family member's marriages.

Trying to avoid the pitfalls.

Keep love and trust strong.

‘Never go to bed on a quarrel,’ an old saying that helps.

‘Marry in haste, repent at leisure,’ is another, not my words.

Remember your marriage may be the example for any of your children to follow.

Give them the good parents and life however humble, children long for.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 16, 2023

KEEP WRITING

You never know,

From what raw material,

Great creativity will grow,

So keep writing.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 15, 2023

BEACH TRIP

My Dad took me to the beach, for the first time and I saw the sea, it went on and on.

A man was walking along the beach I thought at first it was Wobbly’s husband, my other dad.

I was not brave enough to rush across the sand to look.

However, a breeze hit me from that direction and I knew the scent was not his. I was sad!

For a while, then the pesky seagulls started bombarding me.

Why can’t they leave me alone?

Dad chased them off and picked me up until they were tired and left.

I was quite pleased to go home, but I now know what the sea looks like.

Photo: Pixabay

Jul 14, 2023

SNAIL MANNERS

Two snails were out walking towards each other on a crack on the patio floor. Neither would give way to the other, as a certain word was called for.

The grey snail said, ’If you say the magic word I will let you pass.’

The brown snail replied, ‘That is a shame as I simply don’t have a clue what that word could be.’

The grey snail then replied, ‘You learned it at your mother’s knee.’

Still, the grey snail would not move and the brown snail kept on pushing and pushing.

He begged, ‘Please, please, tell me the magic word as I am thirsty and I want to crawl home for tea.’

‘You have just said it! You have just said it!’

The grey snail said with glee, ‘Please is such a clever word and when used often, it will get you out of trouble you’ll see, you’ll see!’

The grey snail moved to one side and they passed one another, with the brown snail saying, ‘Oh thank you!’

NOTE:

A lesson here was learned.

Good manners are for everyone including you and me.

Photo: Pixabay License

POETS

Poets produce their special work,

To showcase to their friends.

Subjects diverse from birth to death,

Love declared or lost recorded

With joy or soul-searching despair.

Photo: Pixabay License

STEP BY STEP

Hope is the building block to recovery, no matter how long the journey!

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 13, 2023

BIRDS PARTY

We bought a metal owl-shaped bird feeder on a spindly, twisted, slippery pole. We were assured it was completely squirrel resistant, and expecting a triumph we carried it home.

On it, we hung three types of birdseed containers, dangling, to meet most seed bird's needs. It took a while for them to feel safe enough to drop in for a feed;

Cautiously flying down to inspect it before trying a single seed.

Early one morning as I opened up my curtains, I saw to my shock and dismay. A squirrel dangling from a container, holding on by only one toe, upside down and swaying, at the seeds, he was having a good go.

He pulled out the seeds with his teeth and passed them to his eagerly waiting hands. As he quickly chewed the nuts, his cheeks began to expand. Time and time again he tirelessly repeated this movement, as fast as he possibly could.

One by one the birds started to arrive, inspecting the ground for bits of seeds that might have survived. It started with sparrows, greenfinches too,

Pigeon’s strutting in quietly for a free nibble without a coo.

Now we are quite pleased the feeder failed, as we have early morning squirrel and bird parties. Come to think of it!

Early evening rave-ups are quite commonplace too.

Though we do not partake in the menu, laughter and stifled giggles we have more than a few. As we watched, hidden by the curtain, from the furry and feathered party revelers cautious view.

Photo: Pixabay License

I AM GRATEFUL

Sitting upright from lying down flat, I am grateful!

Stretching my legs to snap in line, making my rise graceful, I am grateful!

To move each leg without a cry of pain, I am grateful!

To sashay around to gentle, musical sounds, I am grateful!

Watching professional dancers, twirling around in leaps, lifts and whole-body activity, I am grateful!

Now to watch and remember days gone by when I could fly.

Now I am grateful to be pain-free and quiet to just be me.

2023 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 12, 2023

WHAT WILL I FIND TO DO WITH YOU?

Oh, what will I find to do with you, with you,

To help make things seem better, better.

I am searching high and low for words to tease

Your sad face into a smile to make you better, better.

So give me that smile

I would walk miles and miles to see.

I would stand in your gaze

And troubles would fade away.

You would give me your hand

And I would gather us close together.

Synchronised we would glide around the room

Moving in a gentle rhythm.

Is it a smile I see, peeping up at me,

Revealing the girl who was hidden?

My heart starts to beat like a drum

All must hear, dancing near.

When your face is raised to mine

With a smile others too can see.

We light up the room as your smile

Chases away the dreary gloom.

Now our spirits are joined sharing laughter and joy,

Spilling our delight out for others to share

Sending smiles around the room better and better.

It is something we can do so well together.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 11, 2023

CAPTAIN´S TABLE

Have you been called to the Captain's table yet?

If so what is the trick?

I've been trying to work out the formula but nothing seems to click.

Perhaps it's the number of journeys you have made in the past on board this beautiful ship.

Or is it the amount of cash you have already sent, tinkling into their tills.

Which triggers a rapid invitation from the Captain, as he knows; he has to keep well in.

It could be, I am making it much too complicated and it is as simple as taking names out of a hat.

But I wonder if he will take note of mine if I keep on coming back.

NOTE:

Written on a wonderful cruise on the Black Prince.

Photo: Pixabay License

I AM A MUM

I am a mum and It ain’t much fun!

I have to eat lots yet there is no room in my tum.

Who can tell me what happens next?

All I know is I have the urge to find a warm place,

Somewhere soft and as clean as can be.

Where I can hide away safely

So I cannot be seen.

Hold on what was that?

A pain, a shove.

Oh my, there’s a little moving wet lump.

I moved to give it a lick,

To remove stuff that began to stick.

A little nose popped through and started to mew.

Once more pain and a shove,

I was at it again.

Another lump then another,

How many more kittens am I going to have to mother?

After it all stopped,

I shuddered looking around,

To check on my four newborn kittens,

We gathered up close,

The milk bar I carry below me was quickly discovered

They whimpered,

Struggled with one another,

Suckled and kneaded,

Till slumber took over

And they snuggled up warmly beside me.

I sighed looking down,

You are my responsibility now

Till you finally move away freely,

Taking all the lessons

I will try hard to teach you one at a time.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 10, 2023

QUOTE

The child I still nourish in me, helps me to remain grounded and so much more fun.

Photo: Pixabay License

COMFORTABLE PAIR

In between sheets, I slid unseen.

To rest and allow my head to dream.

Then tilt to the left caused a tumbling down.

To entwine, legs and arms,

With this husband of mine.

He all cold me all snug and warm.

The comfort we give to one another,

Until yawns, we cannot fail to smother.

Then we whisper a loving goodnight and kiss,

To float weightlessly into dreams and restful bliss.

Photo: Pixabay License

THE FLY

First, you sigh.

Then you hiss in frustration.

Next, visualize and strike.

Missed by a mile,

This crafty elusive Fly.

Whose eyesight is much better,

Then your's or mine.

Brainpower came into play,

Trapped, one swat.

You will not now fly,

Another day.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 9, 2023

THE SNEAK THIEF

I was sitting writing at my desk with Lily relaxed on her cushion. When she sat up abruptly startling me. I looked above my laptop lid to see what was happening.

I laughed as two young foxes were playing with an empty butter carton, fighting over it on top of each other. Throwing it up in the air, before scrapping again. It was amusing to watch.

All of a sudden they stopped and headed for the wild pond to have a drink. I continued to watch as one headed towards their den hidden between our neighbourhood gardens.

The other came nearer to the house. I wondered what he was going to do. I almost burst out laughing, which would have scared him off.

He was eating the loganberries growing on the lower branches of the bushes. I could not believe what he did next, he stretched up to his full height and pulled the branches laden with loganberries down towards him.

He was having a wonderful feast.

I did not know foxes ate berries, now I have to inform my young man what was happening to the Loganberrys, and why he only had a few for us.

Our garden is a hive of wildlife activity, which keeps Lily and me amused.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 8, 2023

FOREVER FRIENDS

A tribute to a wonderful friend

Personally, I am a fan

Everyone knows I am

Never has she let me down

Narrating tales with élan

Yet always staying humble

Works so hard when should be resting

For other writers, she is testing

Because the standard that she sets

Becomes about as good as gets

Life is a pleasure when read her work

Yearning to match her drives berserk

Penny Wobbly my great friend

May your contribution never end

To both this life and literary world

I think without you it would be absurd

Sometimes serious and sometimes fun

Have laughed so much since we begun

To be personal friends as well as writers

Now my days are so much brighter

A simple tribute to a friend

May this friendship never end

For you don't know how much you do

Just by being simpley you

Ian Wilcox

Jul 7, 2023

SONG I AM HERE

ETERNAL ROAMING

The news has arrived,

Out on the moors,

Your heart unexpectedly stopped.

Yet your spirit flows free.

To roam eternally,

The place you found,

Hard work, great comfort,

Now final repose.

Slumber on my friend.

Photo: Pixabay License

UNEXPECTED TOUR GUIDE

We boarded the Ferry at Circle Quay in Sydney, early one morning and set off up to the river for a run to Polomata. It was the site of the first capital of Australia. It proved to be an overcast day with a threat of rain, luckily it never fulfilled its promise.

We sat up in the bow so we could try to capture in a small way what it must have felt like to the early settlers, creeping up this river for the first time. There would have been no river markers showing the shallows and the hidden rocks, no fridges no road accidents.

A gentleman joined us, he was a local man. He proceeded to relate the history of the area, in an entertaining and interesting way. He became our own private tour guide.

Photo: Pixabay License

MR. SPIDER

Spider, Spider, spin your web,

Dainty, delicate gossamer,

Beaded dew-drop dressed,

All your glorious work,

Layer upon layer displayed,

On days like these,

I can see and admire where you are.

I can avoid stumbling through your perimeter wire,

Miss its clinging, obstructive embrace

All around my hair, neck and over my face.

Oh, I am sure while it’s wet you'll miss a tasty meal,

Once dry, you'll remain hidden,

Well protected from many an eye.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 6, 2023

FAVOURITE CUP

One sip as my favorite cup

Touches the lips, from its rim,

Hot refreshing tea is sipped.

Gradually warmth seeps,

Into the wrapped round grip.

Preparing to relax you,

For the emergence of a new day.

LETTERS

An old love story began so very long ago.

When lovers met and called a wedding ban.

Immediately they were separated by wars unplanned.

Forced to depart hardly holding bodies close in sexual demand.

Years passed, letters ceased.

They became victims,

Who never knew when their loved one died.

Just a telegram, which coldly told they were a casualty of war.

He kept her book, her life story unpublished,

And on their anniversary added roses the best he could buy.

Left them together on the bedside table,

To remind him of the heroine who was his bride.

Photo: Pixabay License

GRASSHOPPERS

On our return to New Zealand, we asked if the large grasshoppers had returned.

No one had seen any yet! Good, perhaps they won't bother us this year. I spoke too soon, as within three days they started.

The first two slipped in while we had visitors and someone had left the door open.

I trapped them in a glass jar. After explaining my lack of grasshopper hospitality, I threw them into the bushes further away, before rushing in and closing the door.

Another day passed, I looked out the door through the glass, where they were lining up like aircraft. Waiting to take off at the airport. Only this time it was to hop into our home, at the first opportunity.

They are cunning and hid in the space around the door frame. I have no idea what they are doing, they seem to have a homing instinct, like salmon do, to breed in the place they were born.

Maybe that is the answer. Who knows!

A few days later they were back, so we do not use the front door without looking out very carefully first.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 5, 2023

THE FISHING DOG

At the village of El Callito, in Ferunture, the lagoons just South of the town became one of our favorite spots, with its sandy bays and paddling pools. We found ourselves a good place and settled down, but not before noticing a dog swimming in the sea with two people.

We thought they were together, which later proved not to be the case. He was a large, slightly shaggy black coated dog, with a small patch of white on his chest and floppy over, unable to stand up ears. It soon became clear he was on his own and to our astonishment, diligently fishing.

He would scramble up onto the rocks, gaze into the water and suddenly jump into a pool before scrambling out again. Standing still, he would peer intently down into the water. He’d lunge forward with his two front feet, hoping to catch the fish, he saw swimming about in the water below him.

Time and again he tried, then moved to other rocks and pools to repeat his efforts. Only once, in the time we were there, did he come out of the water.

He came to greet us and shook his water-filled wet fur all over us, then rolled in the sand to dry off his coat. Before his next move, which covered us in the wet sand as he shook his coat clean.

We noted he wore a wide leather collar and looked well cared for. If his wagging tail was anything to go by, he was a very happy beach combing dog. He enjoyed his own company with the occasional pat from temporary beach friends. I felt it was a real privilege to have met him.

Photo: Pixabay License

HANGING ON

From blue to grey

The storm raged.

Trying to tear the door away.

We grasped it firmly and hung on.

Hoping the terror would not tarry

Beyond our strength.

Or never again would we see

A fair day with a sky of blue.

We would be gone.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 4, 2023

HORSE SENSE

On a trip around the Bay of Islands, our guide told us a story about a big Clydesdale horse.

Once a week, weather permitting, since the lighthouse was built, on the end of Cape Brett, supply ships made their way to restock the lighthouse with supplies and to change the crews.

It was an arduous task as everything had to be carried up the cliff face often in dangerous weather. Someone had the bright idea to lead a horse overland to do the hard work for them.

At first, it worked very well, till the crafty horse decided to hide in the bush every time the relief boat headed in for the lower jetty.

Why should he willingly work so hard, when he lived in comfort the rest of the time? He had a right old game evading capture.

In the end, the game had to stop as this was a serious business and an electronic hoist was put in place.

What I would like to know now is, what happened to the horse?

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 3, 2023

IS IT FOR ME

When on holiday,

Contemplating breakfast plate in hand.

Amongst a moving,

Milling crowd of mysterious serious men.

A phone rang out, shrieking intermittently,

With its distinctive attention-seeking call.

They stopped, as one,

Reaching for mobile phones hanging free,

To see whose call it could be.

As statuesque, they stood frozen phones to ear,

Waiting, intently listening ‘Is that call for me?’

Movement returned to all but one,

We knew then it was for him it had rung.

It really caught my sense of humour,

As they were all attending a conference for Interpol,

A the secret gathering information bureau.

Photo: Pixabay License

Jul 2, 2023

FIREWORKS FROM SPACE

I do believe they have it in for me, the night before last they certainly had.

Wobbly and I had our nightly chat before she left putting my meal on the ground. Once she had gone, I was crouched minding my own business, eating my meal my favourite chicken in jelly.

When my world went up in the air, I lept for my life, there were crashes and bangs, rockets flying in all directions.

I froze again crouched down as small as I could be. It all stopped for a second, I took off over the garden wall, Wobbly had opened the back door and was urgently calling for me.

I almost turned to go to her, when another attack started.

I became a cat with Olympic capabilities I never knew I had as I was chased by rockets all across the lawn.

I threw myself at the cat flap and fell in shaking like a leaf. Still, the noise tormented my delicate ears. Oh where can I go this is murder!

I made my way upstairs, hesitating a moment to decide which bed to dive into for comfort and safety.

My Dad won the day as he might return from his outing and join me. I need company, oh how I need company, I hate bangs, and lights coming at me so fast. How long will it last?

I could hear Satu sneezing and Wobbly anxiously calling me in between the noise. But there was going to be no way I was leaving the safety of the bed, not likely with almost a war going on outside across our lawn.

I only had one wish. I wish I had been able to finish my chicken in jelly before hell broke out. I can’t stop my tummy from grumbling, oh well roll on the morning.

Take care and watch out for fireworks they are dangerous things in unskilled hands. We animals hate them, I certainly do!

Photo: Pixabay License

ME AND HER

Penny Wobbly & Ian Wilcox

Me and her sound absurd

For different as can be

Different genres and different ages

One likes stories one poetry

Yet a bond is form because

We speaking every day

The friendship grows and actions show

Both like to play

Play with words in the absurd

Creative knows no limits

Much deeper though when not on show

The minds and what is in it

Her and me a chemistry

A bond that is not love

Mutual respect for what inject

The calmness of the Dove

When the phone does ring joy will bring

When I see who's calling

A daily thing to make the heart sing

In a world sometimes so appalling

Me and her we concur

On many things each does

A friend with a feel of family

Have you got one too?

Ian Wilcox

Photo by Pixabay

Jul 1, 2023

PRAYERS FOR THE DAY

What can I say that has not been said before,

Millions of times, over thousands of years?

Prayers of sorrow for unspeakable loss.

Prayers for safe journeys, some with no hope of return.

Prayers in hope for a happy, loving marriage as two lives merge.

Prayers of joy at the birth of children, the next generation.

Prayers of thanks for steady employment.

Prayers to keep a roof over our heads.

Prayers to keep pain at bay, a frequently asked plea.

Prayers for rain and fresh water nearby.

Prayers for good harvests and animal husbandry.

Prayers for our safety in an unsettled world.

Prayers for men and women of integrity to lead and govern.

There are many prayers I have not mentioned here.

They will be the ones very personal to you.

Yet, just looking at the list,

Prayers are flowing fervently everywhere.

God must be very busy trying to answer them now, too.

Photo: Pixabay License