A few poems: one about the weather (again!), another belated one for one of my son’s birthday, and then one about finding the joy in life.

Mother Nature 

A burst of very hot weather 
Though Autumn has come
Then the temperature recalibrates. 

From 40 plus into the teens
And now with a smattering of rain
The land breathes a sigh of relief.

The weather always a mystery 
No matter the season
And, it seems, more so of late. 

Always a talking point 
Boring the young
Until they come of age. 

A shared experience for all
No matter where we are
Nor our wealth and status. 

Though the wealthy can enjoy
The respite they can afford 
The less well off more at risk. 

Mother nature rules the roost 
Lays down the limits
And we all must conform. 

Brian Matthews 14-3-24

Todd’s 44

Another day it did come
The birthday of my second son
Someone often admired by others
Avoiding things that joy smothers. 

He came into this world full of it
An energy that creates a bullet
To shoot down that he doesn’t favour 
So that life he can truly savour. 

Admired for the way he grasps
The pleasure in the simple tasks
And as he surveys all around 
Manages to find the firmest ground. 

I’m sure he has some dark, dark nights 
Full of fear and dreadful sights 
For nobody lives without a concern
And things for which our heart does yearn. 

But through it all he has clambered 
Up Kilimanjaro he has meandered
Taking in sights most won’t see
Getting to where he wants to be. 

His life will have the ups and downs
Events that cause so many frowns
But through the lens that he does look
Life becomes an open book. 

And to read this he won’t refrain
Daring each challenge to his brain
Embracing those for whom he cares
Shoulder to the loads he bears. 

Brian Matthews 19-3-24

Discovery 

Take in the joy and light
Leave behind the dark of night
Embrace again the newborn day
Or else in bed you’ll stay. 

A mantra helps me I find
When about life I don’t feel kind
For surrounding us here and there
Is so much love for us to share. 

The little dog by its owner trots
Checking out the usual spots 
Such excitement he does show
Exploring what I do not know. 

But time he does always find 
To check the smells, exercise his mind
And lessons teach his owner now
To wipe away that troubled brow. 

Would that we all could learn from a pet
How to avoid life’s troubled net
Looking wide eyed all around 
Not just noticing the bumpy ground. 

And rejoice in all that we can enjoy
Not slavering after that next toy
Living life to its full
Ignoring all the cock and bull. 

Brian Matthews 19-3-24