Mother’s Day approaches, our local barber retires, and autumnal reflections:

A little poem for the best Mum in the world, my darling Barbara.

Mother’s Day 2024

I used to agonise on this day
Where to put the apostrophe I say
But then decided that for each 
The day is just for them to reach. 

So, a single apostrophe it is
A little individual kiss
To show that special love
Flying like a pretty dove. 

For all you do for family
Creating that little tree
With branches full of happiness 
And shade for all, no less. 

And the special things you do
About which I have little clue
I thank you from my deepest heart
Without you I’d not know where to start. 

Brian  Matthews 10-5-24

And our local barber, Peter Trabilsie, just retired

The Barber’s Farewell 

A collective sigh
Could be heard
As the news of Peter’s retirement 
Through the district stirred. 

Where will we go now
For our short back and sides
Company and local gossip
As from our women we hides. 

For the barber shop
Was always such a safe place
To share your views
In a welcoming space. 

And some women braved it too
Though sworn to secrecy they are
Never to reveal the men’s business 
Even to those afar. 

But time passes for us all
Our local barber’s retirement is here
So everybody must expect
Bushy headed men far and near. 

Brian Matthews 10-5-24

And finally, an afternoon spent cleaning up leaves prompted this…

Autumnal Ruminations

The leaves are falling
Creating such large piles
But the ground is so dry
At a time when wetness should abound. 

A nervous time for many
The grain farmers wanting to sow
The cattle and sheep farmers
Seeking winter feed for their animals. 

And home gardeners too
Watching their water bills rise
Or watching unwatered flowers
Wilt and fade away. 

While in other parts of our country 
This wide, wide land 
Deluges cover the paddocks
Crops and animals washed away. 

It was always the way
Though things now seem more extreme 
And scientists warn of temperatures rising
More severe and widespread storms. 

Each can take some action
Though much of this is swamped 
By big corporations stripping the soil
Pollution an inevitable consequence. 

Will humankind ever learn?
That balance is the answer
That in taking we must give
Replenishing as well as reaping. 

Practices that are very clear
To old, old cultures
But ignored by the avaricious 
Short sightedness dooming all. 

Here’s hoping that deep within
Our species hold an undisturbed seed
That at the right time will be watered
Creating the paradise we seek. 

Brian Matthews 11-5-24