OH, MY FLORIDA!

OH, MY FLORIDA!

Love it or leave it – it’s home

+++++

I wrote this only a few years after moving into our new home – and that was many years ago.

++++

We moved to this haven of blue skies and fun

Where you better be careful when you sit in the sun.

We planned our house carefully from ceiling to floor.

We watched it being built from the walls to the door.

There’s a canal in the back so my husband can fish.

Moving in quickly was our fondest wish.

But here’s a tale you might find hard to believe –

But honestly, friends, I do not deceive.

+++

We daily enjoyed watching our home being built,

But renting beforehand, put my patience atilt.

Back then, we had rented a house near a lake.

We found it had alligators! Oh! for Heaven’s sake.

Let me tell you a little about that small house

Where many small creatures stirred, yes even a mouse!

I know that for some, you might find this hard,

But imagine a bobcat stroll through your backyard.

There were panthers who daily strolled down the street –

Looking so boldly for something to eat.

The snakes that resided in the thick woods nearby

Rattled their tails as they slithered by.

One had to be careful when you opened the door,

Or you’d let in the raccoons who’d rip up your floor.

The lizards, though small, were too often seen

Running and scampering across the porch screen.

We found out too soon – and not be desire

Why the ants here are called by their first name :FIRE!

They’re quick a they’re many and without a doubt

It’s not very easy putting their fire out!

+++

And speaking of fires, it never failed to amaze

How our neighbor too often set the woods there ablaze.

The hot burning coals from his barbecue pot,

Somehow found a way into the next vacant lot.

The firemen would come and put out the flames,

But come the next weekend, we’d go through it again.

That was the rental, and we could hardly wait

For the keys to OUR place and to walk through OUR gate!

Our house by the water has no woods around,

Not more than fish will ever be found.

When we were handed our keys, the first thing we’d do

Was bid farewell, gladly to that neighborhood zoo!

+++

We thought we left all that crazy behind,

Until a few weeks later. Oh, my, what did we find?

In addition to lizards that tried to keep cool,

We also have frogs that jump in our pool.

I thought we escaped from that small household zoo,

But I now have things to scare me anew.

We still have the gators that swim in the dark,

But now, we’ve noticed a resident shark.

I guess I’ll still live here with the gentle Gulf breeze,

I’d rather be here than up north where I’d freeze.

But wait, oh my, just what might this be?

A storm, no, a cat-4 hurricane that they’ve named Charley!