Down here, in the Antipodes,
Floating in the Southern seas,
We walk upright and quite erect
Not upsidedown as some suspect!
Our bodies are, indeed, designed
With every organ so aligned,
As to copy, faithfully,
Bodies of all humanity.
Yet there was a time, some time ago,
When 'we' were not imagined so!
If you go back eight hundred years
A different view of 'us' appears!
Our continent was filled by these
Creatures known as Skiopades !
At least that's what all men believed.
(It wasn't true, and I'm relieved!)
'We' were known as Shadow-foot creatures
With the most obscure of features.......
Absolutely enormous feet
Designed to shelter 'us' from the heat!
'Our' looks expressed a great variety;
'We' were a truly odd society!
Great big lips and single eyes!
Oh how they could fantasise!
Above, see one of the illustrations;
What a feast for imaginations!
But, fear not, we are just like you,
Give or take a very few!
In fact, we're nobler and more smart;
Fair of feature, kind of heart!
Being the last to be created
We are much more highly rated!
I had better stop forthwith
Before I create another myth!
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WORLD ECONOMY
(An Acrostic)
'Which way, what way, why and how?'
Our questions in the here and now.
Recently, not long ago,
Lots of us were flush with dough.
Dabbling in stocks and shares
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Everything caught us unawares!
Countries widely separated
Overnight became related.
Nothing could save us! We went under!
Overdrawn! It was no wonder.
Megabucks went down the drain.
You and I caught in the rain!
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PS
My pee-esses recently have been based on tragedy; herewith, joy. My little garden is, at last complete! Although we're into the 'gilding the lily' phase at the moment and likely overdo things a bit, I find myself feasting my eyes on it all the time! Some of you may have followed the drama of my emotional collapse (!) when my jasmine hedge had to be replaced by a commercial plastic fence! (It's still there, but, mercifully, hidden!).
I can't help thinking how I'd feel if all this were swept away in a flood! Because that's exactly what has happened to thousands of Queenslanders! But here's a joyful item about the floods! Sri Lanka (itself suffering) has donated masses of tea to Queensland because it knows how a cup of tea will cheer people of British descent! How's that for a good news item!!!!!
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