Twenty something years I’ve lived in this place
Where mosquito visits left me quite sore;
Waves of invaders in my homely space -
They’d lift, take blood then drop me to the floor.
**
But after ten years they just disappeared;
No midnight vigils to await the hordes,
There's not one marauder here to be feared;
I'm no longer smashed against the floorboards.
**
Peace and tranquility not quite restored -
Visits by Californian ‘roaches:
In more trouble as again I am floored.
Big buggers this time as summer approaches.
**
They’d manage to knock me down with a smack
And then stick their long antennas up my nose.
But perhaps California took them back -
This year I’ve had none by summer’s close.
**
It’s been a good summer, with none of them in sight;
Though does this mean it's climate change's turn to bite?
Now kind reader you are quite at liberty to survey elements of this account with a modicum of skepticism; however it would be wrong to dismiss it in its entirety. The mosquitoes did come and then disappear; the roaches did not return this summer.
Climate change? Atypical seasons?
-
Author:
Doggerel Dave (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: March 13th, 2026 20:31
- Comment from author about the poem: So that's what it's all about... (minor edits 15/3/26)
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 33
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments10
Sounds like a case for Mulder and Scully.
Life's mysteries - there's no end to them.
Thanks for popping round early.
Well Dave enjoyed the poem, it gave me a smile. I too have not seen many mosquitos this year and very few roaches (maybe due to keeping all food in canisters and jars) but have had an invasion of house flies, nasty little buggers. Have to eat with a swatter in one hand and fork in the other. Good write my friend
Cheers Soren. I picture you living in a subtropical environment, conversant with all manner of invertebrates. Though no flyscreening?
Anyway, thanks for the call and encouragement.
You are most welcome Dave. No flyscreening and no glass
Wow - I'm starting to get a picture of a family in loincloths, camped in the Brazilian rainforest........
Far enough from others that I have run naked at times but not for too long the meter reader might show up and that would not be fair to him.
😂Closing down on any speculation re your situation...now...
Things change all the time Dave and we must learn to deal with that change, hopefully in this case the change is for the good.
Andy
Yes Andy, I'm trying to look at the bigger picture, however I cannot but feel some relief...
I not seen any koala bears in the wild in the UK. You have some strange creatures in Australia - in the UK too. Sir Orchi NS is a strange creature! lol.
That’s because you aren’t looking, orchi. I know of at least three bands of marauding koalas roaming Hundred Acre Wood down Ashdown way determined to take out Winnie the Pooh before Australian wombat stories become extinct.
Dave, this reminded me of how every home seems to have its own strange seasonal battles with nature. One year it’s mosquitoes, another year it’s something else entirely…then suddenly they vanish and you’re left wondering why. You capture that everyday absurdity really well here. Fun piece, my friend. And yes, climate change has more than begun to bite! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Yes - for me there can be no doubt, climate change is here ripping in bite sized chunks and spitting out the bits! Thanks for the support, Tristan.
Totally! Those who can't see that may have those "drunk" goggles on...or, maybe just maybe, they're actually drunk...or willfully ignorant at this point, methinks. Anywho! You are most welcome, Dave.
I love this Dave. I have friends who emigrated to Sydney in 2011. They came back to visit last summer but had no such tales.
- Syd🍄
They must have been putting a brave face on it, Syd. I almost got driven into the sea to escape at one point there.......
Interesting ................. very, I would like to know what others think .. so will be back n forth like a fiddlers elbow .. most probably .. 😎👍🦟🦟🦟🦟🪳🪳🪰🪰👍
Ain't yer capable of making up yer own mind??
Re your tribe of bugs at bottom - way back in the fifties, a company Flick Pest Control (still exists) had an iconic slogan " call the Flick man, he's your answer, one flick and they're gone" Wanted the full lyric to keep you properly informed, but would you believe my friendly AI companion could not provide...?
we were about to have an encore for our most recent cuddle session when for some reason, I was drawn back here .. and although I was in very capable hands .. you could say I was incapable .. sorry
Apology accepted . there is really no point in expending futile energy here; we must unify and resolutely face the future as we charge forward to nowhere...........
Man versus the bugs—twenty years in the trenches and still swatting like a stubborn survivor.
Funny, gritty, and honest; sometimes the whole war of life really does come down to what’s crawling across the floor.
Yeh - especially when it is en masse. Many thanks Thomas - I have a strong feeling your empaty derives from real life experience.
I am happy for you. I did noticed Bunnings have shelves with rows of poison for killing everything.
Climate change, or whatever.. be thankful for today, would be my 2 cents worth.
Today was pretty good. Agreed - only option is to take it a day at a time. So far Sydney has come out smelling of the proverbial roses compared with other parts of Australia or for that matter the world.
True and I often wonder why?
We probably don't deserve it.
I think that is absolutely true - although I\'m prepared to accept the situation with gratitude.
Keep the brolly handy though.
It’s good that they make only one visit and then disappear- you are lucky bcos in India both are thriving for sure.
Enjoy the respite whether climate change caused it or they found other victims to bother🤔😱🤐
You have a slightly larger population than Australia, I do believe - greater pickings. So I think quite conceivably it was to India they made their way. You have my eternal gratitude for being such a saviour.
Fight the good fight and take care of yourself...
This is not the sort of generosity we would opt for. Rather do without it- but now that we have received it - will try to deal with it and find a way to stay safe
At least we saved someone 🤔😛✌️
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