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Which dog?

At last we’re going to get a dog,

a loving  family pet

but, sadly, we all disagree

on just which dog to get.

Mum who loves her garden beds,

who weeds in them for hours

demands a breed that’s guaranteed

to stay away from flowers.

Liz would like a Pekinese

to put up on her lap

but Mum believes that dogs like these

will only bite and yap.

Dad is sure a boxer dog

would guard the house from robbers

but Liz and I would rather die

than have a dog that slobbers

And I would like a Doberman

but Liz says they’re too scary.

She’s still saying Please, a Pekinese

but I say they’re too hairy.

The more we talk, the more I think

we’ll never get this pet.

The dog we need must be a breed

that hasn’t surfaced yet.

Jenny Erlanger

Opening  presents

We place our gift in Grandpa’s hands,

he’s having so much fun.

He reads his card and then he stands

and hugs us, one by one.

He says he’s feeling very proud,

he says we’re all so dear.

and then he reads his card out loud

so everyone can hear.

The ribbon’s lovingly untied

then folded in his lap.

The sticky tape is slowly pried

from every paper flap.

And now it’s time for us to start.

We can’t wait any more.

We rip our wrappings wide apart

and drop them to the floor.

Our fumbling fingers tug at strings

to get to what we need.

We open up our pile of things

at record-breaking speed.

The day slips by, it isn’t fair!

Why must it go so fast?

I wish I had my Grandpa’s flair

for making moments last!

Jenny Erlanger

A prickly issue

It’s great for mind and soul, they say

but look how scratched my nose is!

I came away so sore that day

I stopped to smell the roses.

Jenny Erlanger

Bush tucker

I prise it from its woody nest,

examine it up close.

I never, ever would have guessed

a grub could look so gross!

It’s such an ugly, pudgy grub,

a truly horrid sight –

repulsive rolls of squishy flub

decked out in ghostly white.

The kookaburra up above

is getting itchy feet.

I know for sure she’d dearly love

to snaffle up this treat.

I’ll only have to turn around,

head back along the track,

and she’ll be swooping to the ground

to snatch her scrumptious snack.

The grub is wriggling back to bed

to tuck itself away.

The kookaburra cocks her head,

eyes fixed upon her prey.

No grub has ever hit my tum –

the notion makes me sick,

but Kookaburra’s thinking yum …

marshmallow on a stick!

Jenny Erlange

The way to be

Choose a comfy place to lie

beside your favourite tree.

Cast your eyes up to the sky

and cut your thinking free.

Watch the clouds that quietly drift

across a sheet of blue.

Savour this tremendous gift

from Nature straight to you.

Pay no heed to thought balloons,

release them one by one.

Fill your head instead with tunes

awakened by the sun –

chortles, whistles, trills and tweets,

a magpie’s sweet refrain,

Nature’s songs, melodic treats

to soothe a busy brain.

Feel the brush of breeze on skin

of gentle sun on face.

Shut your eyes and bask within

this moment’s soft embrace.

Relish feeling truly blessed,

relax beside your tree.

Give your mind a chance to rest.

It’s time to simply be.

Jenny Erlanger