Hot sunny days, balmy nights,
BBQ's and Christmas lights,
Sweaty armpits, Mozzie bites,
Frogs croaking, sleepless nights.
Blow flies buzzing all day long,
Cicadas sing their mating song.
Gardens wilt in searing heat,
Burning soles on naked feet.
Days get hotter by degrees,
Heightened by a lack of breeze.
Paddocks bare, no grass to eat,
Water low and dams deplete.
Livestock standing, lean and weak,
Snakes sunbaking by the creek.
Clouds are gathering in the sky,
Dogs are restless where they lie.
Lightening flashes everywhere,
Scent of moisture in the air.
Raindrops fall, light at first,
Heaven sent to quell a thirst.
Heavy now on rooftops pound,
Welcome water on thirsty ground.
But showers sent are far too brief –
Humid weather gives no relief.
Still, Summer marches on its way,
Weaker with each passing day.
Searing heat has been upstaged,
Autumn brings a brand-new page.
Colours of yellow, red and gold,
Fresh new season begins to unfold.
Showers fall on arid ground,
Green grass sprouting in the brown.
Thirsty earth drinks in the rain,
Flora and fauna thrive again.
Snakes slink into hibernation,
Fireman rest with quiet elation.
Milder days are on the menu,
Outdoors is the chosen venue.
Jackets now common attire,
Evening drinks around a fire.
Leaves fall in a scattered mess,
Trees left in a state of undress.
Dewy dampness in the air,
Winter’s chill lurks out there.
Autumn can’t keep it at bay,
Accepts defeat and slips away.
An eerie wind howls all around,
Indoors sheltered safe and sound.
Winter woollies warm and snug,
Hot chocolate and a cosy rug.
On the roof, the pelting rain
Running down the windowpane.
Out of bed on a chilly morn,
Jack Frost spread across the lawn.
Lace-like threads on spiderwebs,
Shrubs and trees dressed like debs.
Crunch of grass from booted feet,
Eggs and bacon, winter’s treat.
Frosts all gone, skies are blue,
Clouds pass and sun shines through.
Then Winter shows its cruel deceit,
Sending forth its hail and sleet.
So, time to snuggle in a cosy bed,
To read the books we haven’t read.
Soon there will be much longer days,
The seasons in a brand-new phase.
Milder days soothe winter’s sting,
Bringing forth more pleasant things.
Soon tiny buds burst into flower,
Responding to a passing shower.
Warm sun sends its golden rays,
Clearing away the dismal days.
Shoots appear on naked trees,
Grasses sway in a gentle breeze.
Chirping birds in feathered vests
Busily building brand new nests.
Joggers on their morning run,
Children outside having fun.
Warm clothes shed for light attire,
Blooming gardens to admire.
Neighbours outside busily mowing,
Veggie patch, now right for sowing.
Buzzing bees for nectar search,
Magpies warble from their perch.
Oh, what joy to welcome Spring
And the new life it is bound to bring.
Betty Milligan,
Published in ‘Benalla Poet’s Corner’ in the Benalla Ensign, Wednesday November 11, 2020
BBQ's and Christmas lights,
Sweaty armpits, Mozzie bites,
Frogs croaking, sleepless nights.
Blow flies buzzing all day long,
Cicadas sing their mating song.
Gardens wilt in searing heat,
Burning soles on naked feet.
Days get hotter by degrees,
Heightened by a lack of breeze.
Paddocks bare, no grass to eat,
Water low and dams deplete.
Livestock standing, lean and weak,
Snakes sunbaking by the creek.
Clouds are gathering in the sky,
Dogs are restless where they lie.
Lightening flashes everywhere,
Scent of moisture in the air.
Raindrops fall, light at first,
Heaven sent to quell a thirst.
Heavy now on rooftops pound,
Welcome water on thirsty ground.
But showers sent are far too brief –
Humid weather gives no relief.
Still, Summer marches on its way,
Weaker with each passing day.
Searing heat has been upstaged,
Autumn brings a brand-new page.
Colours of yellow, red and gold,
Fresh new season begins to unfold.
Showers fall on arid ground,
Green grass sprouting in the brown.
Thirsty earth drinks in the rain,
Flora and fauna thrive again.
Snakes slink into hibernation,
Fireman rest with quiet elation.
Milder days are on the menu,
Outdoors is the chosen venue.
Jackets now common attire,
Evening drinks around a fire.
Leaves fall in a scattered mess,
Trees left in a state of undress.
Dewy dampness in the air,
Winter’s chill lurks out there.
Autumn can’t keep it at bay,
Accepts defeat and slips away.
An eerie wind howls all around,
Indoors sheltered safe and sound.
Winter woollies warm and snug,
Hot chocolate and a cosy rug.
On the roof, the pelting rain
Running down the windowpane.
Out of bed on a chilly morn,
Jack Frost spread across the lawn.
Lace-like threads on spiderwebs,
Shrubs and trees dressed like debs.
Crunch of grass from booted feet,
Eggs and bacon, winter’s treat.
Frosts all gone, skies are blue,
Clouds pass and sun shines through.
Then Winter shows its cruel deceit,
Sending forth its hail and sleet.
So, time to snuggle in a cosy bed,
To read the books we haven’t read.
Soon there will be much longer days,
The seasons in a brand-new phase.
Milder days soothe winter’s sting,
Bringing forth more pleasant things.
Soon tiny buds burst into flower,
Responding to a passing shower.
Warm sun sends its golden rays,
Clearing away the dismal days.
Shoots appear on naked trees,
Grasses sway in a gentle breeze.
Chirping birds in feathered vests
Busily building brand new nests.
Joggers on their morning run,
Children outside having fun.
Warm clothes shed for light attire,
Blooming gardens to admire.
Neighbours outside busily mowing,
Veggie patch, now right for sowing.
Buzzing bees for nectar search,
Magpies warble from their perch.
Oh, what joy to welcome Spring
And the new life it is bound to bring.
Betty Milligan,
Published in ‘Benalla Poet’s Corner’ in the Benalla Ensign, Wednesday November 11, 2020
