Swim Stroke

Who chose such a silly name?

Fluttering used to label strength;

frailty mis-applied to power

plunging headlong down the length.

Surely nature can do better -

some improvement would be 'penguin'.

Or else use 'porpoise'. Why not 'dolphin' ?

Butterflies can't even swim !

A robin flew into my shed yesterday;

it seemed to have little fear.

I bet it's the one built a nest last year

in a cupboard along the passageway.

Today it's searching the border for leaves

to put into a nest box on the fencej

half hidden so showing a bit of sense

in trying to outwit the magpie thieves.

And now I can see another one

creeping up through the undergrowth

and into the box to rate its worth

as a possible summer home to live in.

Presumably it's the first bird's mate

since he's perched nearby just looking on -

oh, now she's sneaking out and -gone !

But maybe I can anticipate

some more activity in the spring

if they choose to bring up a brood -

the adults flying in with food,

the chirping of the hungry nestlings.

I like to feel some sort of connection

with wildlife; doubtless a common trait.

But in this lockdown while we wait

for normal life, it lightens dejection

After watching Bruno v Tyson

I had a peculiar dream

of a party with men and women guests

and some more in between.

And nobody knew who was intersex

but nobody minded telling

and nobody cared yet everyone cared

and everybody was gelling.

I try to do the washing up

immediately after the meal

or else the residue of food 

that's left will just congeal

and be much harder to remove

needing extra zeal.

Isn't that the way it is

also when we argue ?

The leftovers of hot dispute

will cool and stick like glue

unless we wipe the plate clean

immediately we're through.

The guy from Ipanema

 So you think she doesn't see you

sitting there on your own.

Silly old fool ! Of course she sees you

without a woman all alone.

Of course she knows you're always there

but actually she doesn't care.

You're just another lecher

like the others that she's known.

What population problem ?

Couples with too many children

old folk with too many years

overpopulate Earth unless

war or disease interferes.

'Road closed' the signage said

'Diversion' to the right.

But they moved the signs for the bus I was on

at ten o'clock at night.

Led by a 'Highway Maintenance' van

we trundled the empty lanes.

Well, here's a rare example , I thought,

when public service gains.