December heralds the end of yet another year
but never fear
December welcomes in Summer
Well, at least, here Down Under!
Better yet… unbelievable but true… school’s out!
We crawl across the line, narrowly escaping ‘burnout’.
This year we’ve almost a fortnight to relax
Cool off in the sea, mountain streams, dams and lakes,
Before loved ones gather together
On Christmas Day in hot or stormy weather.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos adorn casuarinas
perched atop like white angels
She-oak needles waft citrus fragrance
Along bush trails and barbed wire fence.
Before we know it, December’s over; it’s the end of the year
Look back and reflect; look forward with hope and good cheer.
*
Growing up in tropical Far North Queensland, (Australia) we’d chop a branch off a Casuarina (She-oak) and decorate it as our fragrant Christmas tree.
Written for the challenge below:
See below for a mention of a disastrous Casuarina Christmas tree!
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TUS NUA - ch 53
TUS NUA – ch 53 New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight (*)(*)(*) Finola knew Ali’s brother-in-law needed to put his mind at rest. She fed her arm through his and led him outside. “We’ll sit here. If you like, I can put a block around us so our conversation will be private.”
By Margaret Brennan4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (10)
There’s a wonderful sense of release here school’s out, burnout escaped and space to breathe again.
Just given you a shout out on Raise Your Voice here https://offerdiscovery.life/resources/raise-your-voice-thread-12-18-2025%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Very nice, Angie. I have a big flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos that come by nearly every day and perch on the power line outside my place. As you would know, they make quite a noise!
What a great way to make the ritual work, no matter the place and season of the year. I still remember warmly 2018 Christmas in Brazil, in a balmy +25C weather. Great entry to Mike’s challenge, Angie!
I had to look up Casuarina trees...and then said, "OH! A pine tree" Of course...perfect Christmas trees. And the cockatoo...a perfect dove. I hope you and yours have a wonderful time and God bless.
This was so festive and beautiful! Loved your poem!
That is such a cute conceptual poem
Nicely done, and I learned about your beautiful Casuarina tree. Thanks for sharing, and have a sunny holiday.🙏😎
You live in Australia? I thought UK. Silly me. I love reading vocal creators work, I find things about them little by little ❤️ like reading a puzzle
As a fellow Australian I love this! I grew up in North QLD (Townsville) and I remember it rained in summer with the cyclones. Whenever we have a warm overcast day now, I instantly feel like it's Christmas!