Ennui



ENNUI

My Mother had a little saying

Which I heard throughout my youth.

'The Lord Mayor's Show, and then the dust-cart'

And I've learned that it's the truth.

'It'll end in tears' was another one

With which she oft regaled me;

That's one I've often used myself

When wittier words have failed me.

'What goes up must come down!'

Another cheerful saying,

Said when I was 'above myself'

Showing-off when I was playing.

But the 'lord mayor's show' and the 'dustcart'

Was the saying that impressed,

It painted a vivid picture

Much more so than the rest.

And today, my friends, is 'dustcart day'.

All over the Universe,

People are suffering ennui

And is there anything worse?

'It's better to travel than arrive'

How absolutely true.

We built up and built up to Christmas

And now we're feeling blue.

As Peggy Lee cleverly put it

'So is that all there is?'

We're back to damp squibs once again

After all the froth and fizz.

The tree's already shabby,

The left-overs look quite drab,

We've eaten far and away too much....

See our post-party flab!

There's nothing to look forward to...........

But, hey, look at the date!

New Year's Eve is upon us

And we can hardly wait!

*

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PICNIC PERFECTION

A loaf of bread , a flask of wine;

Come share this country find of mine.

A picnic table tucked away,

Where eucalyptus branches sway,

And leafy shadows move and spread,

Echoing greenery overhead.

The curving path, gently inclined,

Leads to this spot, a magical find.

Here, you and I can reminisce,

Thankful life has come to this.

*
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PS

It's usually  the devil of a job to get my family to pose for a family photograph. As soon as they see my camera they run away. But the Christmas Season seems to make them mellow and they posed for this first one on the stairs, after our typically Aussie brunch of prawns, savoury croissants and fruit salad.

Harry is at 'that age' and loves making faces!

Greg and Michelle are on the left and Brian and Rebecca on the right.

With the Wrinklies.

Harry still reacting and his little brother admiring him!