I woke in anger no idea why!
Pulled back the curtains and saw a troubled sky.
The image filled my vision,
Causing emotions to calm and slowly dissipate.
Turning anger to wonder,
As my eyes swept the fast-changing settling sky.
Presenting me with a beautiful mood lifting day.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
As twilight gently nudges day into the cloak of darkest night.
The stars and moon dance their drama slipping in and out of shrouding clouds.
Slowly a peep of light starts to expand, the sun powering it’s way through easing the darkness away.
Bringing light, warmth, growth, comfort and activity as it makes it’s way, across the sky.
There is no stopping either cycle, they are vital, or all on earth will surely die.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Our journey started with high hopes,
saying tearful goodbye to family and friends.
We packed our lives and histories into our bags,
Well all we could share and carry with us.
With sights set on that safe and promised land.
As the miles on sea and foot stretched before us,
weariness sapped our hope.
We shed belonging as with weight we could not cope.
Robbers attacked every convenient stopping water spot.
They each demanded something and wrenched it away.
There was kindness shown by some,
but to others we were disposable and in the way.
We cheered one another up, by crossing off each dangerous day.
The weather was moody, rain, wind, sun and snow.
I am not sure which we hated the most, as the journey began to slow.
At last we stood on the shore, paying everything we had,
to be secreted across the sea to that blessed promised land.
The last miles were the longest, the sea was not our friend,
it wanted to upend us, only god intervened to protect us.
On landing we were told you cannot stay here,
Rwanda is now your journey's end.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
RABINDRANATH TAGORE MEMORIAL LITERARY 2022
Certificate of Literary - Penny Wobbly, UK
Getting an honour from Motivational Strips means authentic testimonial to your literary career.
This honour was commissioned by Motivational Strips as a tribute to the 161st birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, in joint association with SIPAY journal, national property of Department of Culture, Government of Seychelles.
Barns doors open wide to welcome the cold weary animals inside.
Drawn by the smell of oats to eat and straw to roll.
With water placed available in each stall.
Providing comfort for stiff joints and frozen horses hooves.
In the rafters snuggly tucked down, sit two owls feathers covering their claws.
Watching stragglers, slowly making their way in before the barn doors close.
A neigh of welcome comes echoing from a stall in the dark.
An hour passes as their owner approaches wearily lamp in hand.
To sling blankets onto their backs to keep them warm for the night.
Before closing the doors and leaving them secure till the morn.
Stay safe and rest my friends, till the new day dawns.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
The whispering started as I approached.
I slowed down my walking
I did not want to encroach.
Was it love just starting
Or ending in recriminations and reproach.
I turned and left them to it
To return another day
To gather the words and feelings to begin a new play.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo by Jane Risdon
In my dreams last night,
I could not get rid of a terrible sight.
Clocks glowing, multiple faces showings,
Arms waving going around and around.
It was alarming!
It stopped when my alarm started calling,
I had been scared of sleeping in
and missing an exam in the morning.
Thank goodness I was only dreaming!
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I use my Pen name for a very good reason. I am so longer young, though I hope to be around a while, God willing.
My wish is that if anything should happen to me and I am unable to continue writing, someone else will step up and continue as ’Wobbly after Me.’
‘Wobbly after Me,’ would have to follow the style and guidelines we have worked on so far.
We love what we learn, do and pass on, on this site.
As for the people we meet, they are amazing, bursting with a talent for writing, music, art, new inventions, the environment we live in, all bundled up strongly with hopes and great compassion.
It is not all roses, we sympathetically see anger, frustration, loss, depression and great sadness.
We watch life's drama unfolds and help where we can, as often as we can with just laughter, words, tears and more laughter, in the main, it seems to help, many of you have told us so.
The World is full of silently brave people. We salute you all.
That is why I am Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
In mid-stride, on the bridge,
a sunning newt caught my eye.
We looked long and hard at one another.
Before a bird swooped down for a tasty snack.
My newt dived down so deep
the bird missed the morsel it meant to eat.
I was glad and sad all at once,
as the bird had to hunt again for another lunch.
And my newt was put on high alert,
not relaxing and warming in the sun.
As I thoughtfully walked slowly on.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay
I cannot stop my trembling hands,
As sorrow slips tears from my eyes.
I cannot stop my beating heart,
As I have responsibilities left by you.
I cannot fail you now or later,
Or it would be as if you had not lived.
I can remember all you shared with me,
And pass it on.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
On opening my eyelids to gaze at the dawn, my thoughts awaken to tasks yet to be worked on
I fight back please not yet, let me slide back into slumber and the comfort of my bed.
There are days when I can’t wait for that glimmer of light, so I can arise full of energy, to start the day in delight.
Not today, not today it is my wish to stay here well hidden, no energy left for planning, another hour and I should be alright.
My eyelids lower to block out the light to return to the dark of a purposefully extended comfortable night.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I am slim, elegant, mysterious and people find me most alluring.
A golden band crowns my head, I add status it is said when I am introduced during an evening.
Yet, in the raw, I am wizened and drawn, not nice to know and you would pass me by, uncertain.
Though my power is not in either of these, but in my smoke uncurling.
When I breeze in I hit the skin, and it does appear as though you start aging.
Oh, what a shame!
Future generations need to fear me, as when I am around they may never even get a chance to appear.
What a tragedy!
If you have aspirations to be fast in sport and sexy in bed, watch out for me, as I will make you a joke.
The shy and unsure swear I make them appear sexy and strong.
I have to laugh as they have got it all wrong; it's just a trick to keep them trapped.
It will be years before they will really know the legacy I am leaving.
Then they will swear and curse that they had ever met one of us.
Only then will it be revealed that, through smoking, cancer has appeared and it takes an awful lot of healing.
So, before you are caught, try to refuse an invitation from the likes of me, no matter how smart and alluring.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Sitting quietly,
Allowing my brain to roam.
I woke to find,
To sleep I had gone.
Can´t remember now,
What I was pondering on.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Happiness is:
When you cover...
Yourself in smiles,
To share...
With everyone else.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo © Pixabay
Emerging from the long pandemic locked home.
Into the light full of expectations of the right to roam.
To expand your horizons, expose yourself to the sun, sea,
freedom and lots of fresh air.
To taste unfamiliar menus and drinks to share.
To realise all the sacrifices were worth it in the end.
As you set off determined to make up for lost time and seek lots of new friends.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo © Pixabay
My spirit never ages
Though at times when battered
It takes a moment to gather strength.
It enjoys itself, urging me firmly on.
Instructing me on what to do and what to think.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
When a steaming cup I did down place.
To complete a task long forgot.
On return, my cup now steamest not.
What a waste.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Sitting comfortably a story complete,
Placed nice and neat, on the desk.
When a wind blew up and carried it off at speed.
On rushing I watched it whisked away outside,
Dancing on currents it flew around the buildings
Where I could not follow.
‘Oh exasperation, stop come back to me.’
It slipped through a door, I ran on in too.
Thankfully it flopped onto the floor,
It was then I noticed and giggled and laughed out loud.
It had obviously decided to cut out the publishers
And present itself to the right place,
In the Library, but not on the library floor.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
A lovely start to a new day.
Good morning to everyone!
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
My writing will never be perfect,
But will always be observed by my eyes
And written with the understanding of my heart.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Do you ever sit quietly looking over a garden or a field by yourself, it is amazing the things you might see.
This happened in my garden yesterday when I had time to look.
It was a beautiful day, blue sky, sunshine, a light breeze and no need to cover my arms.
The garden is a bit ragged at the moment, as we have reached the age where we now need help to keep it tidy.
We have found a gardener who is coming this week to restore it to the garden we love.
As I settled comfortably into my chair looking around, a bee appeared and buzzed me before settling into a bunch of open flowers. I could hear it working away,,a pleasant sound.
Then to my amazement, a yawning fox appeared and settled in a patch of sunshine down by the wild pond.
He looked as if he had had a busy night and just needed to relax and warm up before going to bed.
He paid no attention to me, as I quietly watched.
Where is Lily I wondered, hoping she was not on her way over for a visit or she would get a fright?
A loud honking noise made me look up as a lone goose, flew by. I wonder why he is on his own?
Perhaps he has lost his way, as geese are flying in for the summer, to fill up with good food, mate and have a family.
Just as well he did not decide to drop in here, or Mr fox might have been glad for a meal to have before bedtime.
A couple of beautiful butterflies floated by and a pair of pigeons started their morning conversation. After a while of real relaxation, I thought I ought to move.
On turning around, towards the house I saw the big next-door cat, sitting in our walled garden peering intently into the fish pond at our one remaining goldfish.
Thankfully she could look but not touch, as we had netted it, to protect our fish from cats, herons and birds.
This fish was the last survivor of twenty-four, the others had died over time of old age, as we had had them for years.
There is nothing quite like sitting with a cup of tea by a pond, watching fish swim past, or sleeping tucked under a lily pad, staying there with the odd switch of a tail.
I was thankful that Lily had still not appeared, as a cat-fight would have ended my quiet time, as Lily would have needed rescuing.
I wonder what you might see in your garden during a quiet time if you looked.
Take care, stay safe and have fun.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
I am here for you when you are sad,
To cuddle up close
Wipe a tear from your eye,
As you share your distress.
I listen for the clue,
That means I can help you.
I quietly caress to sooth
Your heaving chest.
Murmuring gentle words,
For you to process
To learn you did your best,
And you always will be loved by me.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
If men and women wish to be good examples and support change, they have to be firm, honest, trustworthy, kind and caring so their heritage lives on with love and pride long after they are gone.
Those that turn a blind eye remain caught till they shed their signs of rage, intimidation, dishonesty, money laundering and criminal deadly behaviour.
Without change, there will be no kin left to sing their praises or when imprisoned in their graves to visit them.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I want to be happy
Do things I’ve never done.
Make some new friends along the way.
I want to work hard,
Earn what I am worth.
I want to be happy enough
To give some away.
Watching smiles spread,
Pushing sadness into the background.
What an ambition!
I want to be happy,
Is that too much to ask.
To promote emotionally
Sunshine and music
Back into this World.
I want us to be happy.
So if you see me smiling,
Please don’t turn away.
Take a smile with you,
Spread it around today.
Happy Days!
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I shut my eyes and wish you to be closer.
To send a breath upon the wind to draw you in.
To make me believe my wish is true.
To finally celebrate you are home again.
It is true, it is true, thank you.
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Where do they come from?
Who knows, not I!
The subjects vastly differ: from home and away,
Words people use day by day.
I am just the Pen that places them on the page.
To be read from age to age.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
There are times when ordinary conversations turn from sensible to hysterical in a moment.
Last night was one of those times. Anna and I started a perfectly ordinary conversation on the subject of adapting a house, to make some room changes.
I explained what I planned to do, when Anna said, “and the TV could go in the hall, people have it there these days.”
I thought for a moment then asked, “Why on earth should I have to stand up in the hall to watch the television, when we have two perfectly suitable rooms to watch it in already.”
There was a pause, followed by frantic banging on the wall before the penny dropped.
Her lovely Portuguese accent had got in the way she meant wall not hall.
We could not stop laughing for ages.
As I drew the picture of us standing in the hall watching the television.
Anna said, my face was a picture of puzzlement, as I tried to work out why she thought we needed to do such a thing.
We thought we would share this classic bit of Wobbly humour with you, to lighten your day.
Another recent classic, was when Anna chose to post a story I wrote about a dog called Blackie. When I looked at the post the next day there was a picture of a beautiful golden Labrador, not a flea-bitten tripe hound called Blackie.
Laughter was the order of the day then as well.
We have decided to share more Wobbly humour with you, as it occurs, as life is far too serious at the moment.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Oh, I am on my own.
I long for a touch, someone to love.
I am here in a crowded place, yet few see my face.
They talk over my head to others instead, avoiding me and moving on.
I stick it as long as I am able, before turning and leaving as quickly as I can.
They part like a wave, with no move to encourage me to stay.
No one knows me here. I refuse to remain.
I cannot go out on a bus, train or plane, without someone to help me embark.
I am confined in my chair. No one knows I am here.
Yet, in my head, I am dancing around, having a ball by myself instead.
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
We set off in the car loaded with recyclables for the Recycling Station. On pulling up alongside the clearly marked containers, we started unloading.
When I reached the cardboard container and just as I was about to throw our boxes in, I caught sight of a snail, trying to climb up a corner of a box. It did not look very well, I had to help it.
I gently prised it from the corner and moved it over to a large patch of ground, with a selection of different types of weeds and what looked like a trickle of water meandering through.
I gently placed the snail down on a plant and said,
“I do not know where you have come from, but you will find some new friends here. It has everything you might need so please stay safe and be happy.”
With that, we carried on recycling and at the container marked tins, there were clouds of wasps, it took an act of courage to place our tins in it without being stung.
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
"The Cat Who Wishes To Be Mine"
She waited patiently for my return,
Then what a welcome!
What cries and rubs around my ankles.
She almost turned herself Inside out.
I was so delighted to see her,
We could not stop hugging one another.
Finally, our hearts calmed down
And she sat on my lap and fell asleep.
Such love is hard to describe!
With Love, Wobbly
2022 © Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
How comforting to chatter,
Over everyday events and topics of great seriousness and sadness.
Followed by laughter and jokes,
To wipe wisps of lingering sorrow away.
It’s a stunner when in mid-stride, or waking at dawn,
You find your speech has mysteriously gone.
Your brain races as does your breath and heart,
Trying to trigger your speech to restart.
Eyes frantically scan each face,
To see if they understand the garbled mixed messages you now make.
They can’t! They are trying! So are you.
Frustration, tears and despair are immediately shared.
As you wait controlling fear, for help to arrive.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
The split when it came was devastating.
The audiences vanished, hard to replace them.
My music burned and raged in me, with no release.
No one to give appreciation.
Loneliness descended, finance too, yet you never left.
Just increased the desire to write and write.
When will this virus take it’s leave,
So I can share the music trapped within me.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Saying goodbye is never easy,
Last-minute hugs, tears, love whispered uneasily.
Saying goodbye when leaving forever,
Losing a country and heritage built up through generations.
Trying to tuck every scrap of remembrance in our hearts.
To console us on sad or terrifying days.
Wishing and praying for the kindness of strangers to ease our path,
Through unfamiliar new customs and regulations not like our own.
Praying to return one day to the land of our birth,
Or to take root in this land, now our new home.
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
When purposefully stepping forward to do something, forgetting on the way. Standing still, hoping the memory returns. Oh, blow it has gone!
Turn and return, thinking hard on the way. Almost back where I started, when with an exclamation of triumph, the memory suddenly comes flooding back.
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
I believe in miracles, that birds can fly and so can I, in Aircraft in the sky.
I can believe in miracles, that food appears from the ground, in shops and fancy supermarkets, it can be found.
Flown in by aircraft from countries all around.
I believe the rain will fall, in parts of the world at different times.
Sometimes, it will flood, at others, hardly a trickle is revealed.
I believe the sun will shine to warm the day and chase germs and pesky bugs away.
At times, it heats the earth to dust, water evaporates and it fails to stay.
I hope that our human presence, in this world is tempered, by a much softer, kinder, sharing, caring, nurturing hand.
To preserve this Earth our, very precious land.
© Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
Photo: Pixabay License
Sitting facing the sea, writing at the beginning of the slowly cooling and vanishing day. Watching shadows lengthening casting their last caresses on the sand.
Slowly raising my eyes, I was being inspected by a mother duck and her two developing and inquisitive ducklings.
She let them come close enough to almost nibble my toes, yet ready to protect them at any hint of danger from me. One thought it was safe enough to sit snugly in front of me. Mum was still on watch.
Suddenly they rose as one and headed for the sea, mum taking up the rear. I gently raised my eyes to see what had alarmed them.
There on the sand standing proudly was the Drake, the boss of the family. I wonder if he said, “Watch it she’s a human, not all humans are kind.”
Sadly animals have to teach their young to be wary of humans. We also have to teach our young to be kind and protective of them, so we can live together in harmony.
© 2022 Penny Wobbly of WobblingPen
