Often when challenged they say that they are online,
But this does not stop the police from giving a fine.
Even when they are out taking children for a walk,
Their parental gaze is missing and there is little talk.
Quality time often lost due to smartphone distractions,
Then losing affection due to emotional inaction.
Life partners may offer adoration just for the plumbing,
Eyes clued to screens they only say "just coming".
Just a bit of fun
Many deeds are done without a thought,
Ignoring warnings from lessons past taught.
Damage is done to self-esteem and sanity,
When pride is cut hurting one's vanity.
Youthful jibes can expose a hidden nightmare,
Causing much distress but mainly despair.
Careless words blurted out give quiet a sting,
To unstable minds suffering pain on the wing.
These verbal attacks used to earn praise,
Their real motive hidden like in a maze.
On the promise of making it as one of the lads,
The heckler lets rip using the latest word fads.
When challenged with just punishment under the sun,
The classic defense is that it was just a bit of fun.
Just Passing
They often arrive without notice,
Upsetting others with their lack of focus.
In shorts big socks and huge back packs,
These ramblers relentlessly follow bush tracks.
Never stopping with locals to talk or to chat,
Healthy types that look keen but down never sat.
Always making big strides in even bigger boots,
Munching on cheese wedges nuts and dried fruits.
Hills climbed then abandoned for a dales prance,
Often locked in a fight with nature's violent dance.
Red faces exposed to the sun rays and its heat,
Never stopping for a drink or to rest their feet.
Disdaining any help when in trouble never asking,
Surging past those who offer calling out "just passing".
THERE I LIE
Oh Land of my birth that captured my heart,
It has come to pass that we now must part.
Looking back I see the wonders what they mean,
As well as people who over time I have seen.
What is thrown my way I swear I'll not fail,
To remember trees where leaves they did sail.
Also sandy beaches whose beauty make me look,
Sights and sounds of my youth not in any book.
Driven from your shores by many nations at war,
I consider myself robbed of home now nation poor.
As my comrades moves from camp to camp,
Your past loving embrace my only warm lamp.
Should I die fighting far way no obstacle must foil,
Attempts made by loved ones to bury me in your soil.
RULE OF LAW
At early dawn hard men with guns arrive
You wake alarmed as their ram they drive;
Into your door soon battered then torn back,
Booted men barging in with mud to track.
Shouts of anger then threats finally demands abound,
Your hearing struggles to unravel one sound.
The leading man towering then ordering you about,
Left wondering why they treat you like a lout.
To impress the cameras that follow with power,
Shielded officers with guns drawn often tower;
Over prone figures often still tuck up in bed,
Now under arrest your rights are loudly read.
When lawyers come to justly ask for bail,
The system once more is seen again to fail.
SMALL CHANGE
Once often seen but most often rarely heard,
Having trouble getting in a single word.
These little humans still hunger and thirst,
As they worry until they are fit to burst.
Sometimes herded like sheep into a pen,
Yet they're different as flowers in a glen.
Arrangements are made to give care en bloc,
Surprise when this fails may give some a shock.
Observers wonder if parents can really know,
That seeds of distrust often they do sow;
Into young minds who see no promises kept,
Showing their sorrow on faces that wept.