Tag Archives: Toni Newell

Master Billy Joe by Toni Newell

1 Comment

As brown as a block of milk chocolate,
Eyes yellow as egg yolks,
A coat of curls feels soft to the touch,
My Billy Joe who I love so much.
A tail that wags with great delight,
A dog so bright
That he can almost read my mind,
Knows when it’s walking time,
Without a word, just a glance
And off we go
With love so simple, so pure,
Filled with trust,
My best friend, my confidant,
He doesn’t judge or criticize,
He is always there by my side.
What words can totally express
The relationship between man and dog?

Image supplied by Toni Newell

Archer, The Pest by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

My little Archer
Can be so much fun
He loves to play games
And he loves to run.
He’ll jump on the couch
Put a paw on my leg
Try to snuggle right in
And often will beg.
But there are many times
When he’s such a pest
He won’t listen
And he just won’t rest
Barks continuously
Runs around the room
Knocking stuff over
It makes me fume.
He’s so energetic
A walk’s not enough
Needs constant attention
Which can be quite tough.
But I do love him dearly
Despite being a pest
He’s mostly loving
And to that I can attest.

image from Pixabay

Wishing Well by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

The wishing well was wonderful
A place to ponder peacefully
Where many dreams were dreamt
And wishes wished willingly.

Sammy stood steadily
By the wonderful wishing well
He hung his heavy head
Wished a wish which he wouldn’t tell

He quickly quietly walked away
Happy, hopeful it would come true
A wish he’d wished with confidence
A wish he had which wasn’t new

He now wondered whether
He should make his wish again
To be absolutely sure
His wish wasn’t made in vain

So he hung his heavy head
And wished his wish once more
With even more conviction
Than he’d wished his wish before

Now Sammy had only to wait
For his wonderful wish to come true
He felt happy, hopeful, contented
And patience would see him through.

Image from Pixabay

Mr Wiggle Worm by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

Underneath the Ficus
Lives Mr Wiggle worm
In the rich moist soil
He can wiggle and squirm.

Wiggle worm
Looked around
It was cool and cozy
Underground.
There was much
Work to do
Churning earth
To let air through.
Enriching soil
Whilst breaking down
Organic matter
In the ground.
Mixing nutrients
On his way
Enriching earth
With leaf decay.
Wiggle worm
Doesn’t have eyes
Can sense light and dark
With cells specialized.
He doesn’t have lungs
He doesn’t have legs
He doesn’t have teeth

But he can produce eggs.
Wiggle worm
Is long and thin
Needs to be moist
To breath through his skin.
He has five hearts
He has no ears
Birds, moles and beetles
Are amongst his fears.
Up to ten years
His lifespan can be
If he is housed
In captivity.
But in the wild
I’m sorry to say
It can be reduced
If he becomes prey.
Harsh weather can also
Effect his lifespan
If soil gets too cold
Which it often can.
Wiggle worm’s poop
Is like liquid gold
Full of nitrogen
Often mixed and sold.
He’s a natural recycler
And works very hard
Maintaining ecosystems
In his backyard.

Mr Wiggle Worm
Lives under my Ficus tree
He hides from all above
Trying to live and be free.

Image from Pixabay

Happy World Environment Day !!

Lovely Ficus by Toni Newell

2 Comments

A row of Ficus
Line the drive
Evergreen
And air revive.
On a branch
Possums nest
Escaping from
Daylights quest.
Annoyingly
The leaves shed
Continuously
The drive, their bed.
Falling softly
When winds blow
Floating leaves
Put on a show.
A quiet whisper
Through the trees
As branches shuffle
In the breeze.
Lovely Ficus
Large and strong
Manicured
They’re now oblong.
As they look out
Upon the street
The trees observe
The passing feet.

They see the birds
That fly on by
Or those that perch
On branches high.
Lovely Ficus
Line the drive
Evergreen
Where they survive.

Lovely Ficus (Ficus hillii) by Toni Newell

Photo taken by Toni Newell

Mr Wiggle Worm by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

Underneath the Ficus
Lives Mr Wiggle worm
In the rich moist soil
He can wiggle and squirm.

Wiggle worm
Looked around
It was cool and cozy
Underground.
There was much
Work to do
Churning earth
To let air through.
Enriching soil
Whilst breaking down
Organic matter
In the ground.
Mixing nutrients
On his way
Enriching earth
With leaf decay.
Wiggle worm
Doesn’t have eyes
Can sense light and dark
With cells specialized.
He doesn’t have lungs
He doesn’t have legs
He doesn’t have teeth

But he can produce eggs.
Wiggle worm
Is long and thin
Needs to be moist
To breath through his skin.
He has five hearts
He has no ears
Birds, moles and beetles
Are amongst his fears.
Up to ten years
His lifespan can be
If he is housed
In captivity.
But in the wild
I’m sorry to say
It can be reduced
If he becomes prey.
Harsh weather can also
Effect his lifespan
If soil gets too cold
Which it often can.
Wiggle worm’s poop
Is like liquid gold
Full of nitrogen
Often mixed and sold.
He’s a natural recycler
And works very hard
Maintaining ecosystems
In his backyard.

Mr Wiggle Worm
Lives under my Ficus tree
He hides from all above
Trying to live and be free.

Image from Pixabay

Poor Billy Joe by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

Billy Joe was very angry
And he had lots to say
About Archer’s poor behaviour
Happened almost every day.
‘You get us into trouble
I always take the blame
Trying to protect you
And taking on the shame.’
‘I’m sorry’ Archer barked
‘It’s just that I’m so young
I need some stimulation
And I need to have some fun’.
‘That’s all very well for you
Do you ever consider me
I constantly look after you
Appreciation I never see.
I think you’re very selfish
If you’re really my best friend
You’ll have to make an effort
Put bad behaviour to an end’.
‘Well I can only try
But there is no guarantee
That I can do what you ask
For my spirit it runs free.
I want to be your best friend
And behave accordingly
I’ll do my very, very best
You just wait and see’.

One week had passed
And all was going fine
Archer had behaved
Which was a good sign.
Billy Joe so happy
He could hardly bark
And Archer, angelic
Didn’t leave his mark.
‘There you see’ barked Archer
‘I told you I would try
I think I have succeeded
Bad behaviour say goodbye’.
Billy Joe was sceptical
But he had to admit
That Archer had improved
He should get some credit.
Now Billy Joe and Archer
Will be friends for life
The young lad now behaving
Not causing any strife.

Poor Billy Joe by Toni Newell

Image from Pixabay

The Owl by Toni Newell

Leave a comment

Eyes open
Wide and yellow
Alert, cold
Not warm and mellow.
A piercing glance
Looks through the night
And guides its wings
When it’s in flight.
The hooting sound
It often makes
Stakes claim to space
And calls for mates.
White feathers smooth
Around the eyes
Resemble marbles
In disguise.
I look at it
And wonder why
It’s been described
As being wise.
The owl so regal
On its perch
Eyes wide open
Of prey in search.

The Owl by Toni Newell

Image from Pixabay