My Net spreads Wider!

Great news!  I am a lucky bee:

Two Brussels libraries* have bought me!

“A Muse in Brussels” finds new fans:

Readers born in foreign lands?

 

This guide recounts with anecdote

Brussels quirks and sights of note

In an easy-flowing rhyme

Modest insights – but all mine!

 

Folklore and history pique my muse;

As do chats and trenchant views

Providing fun grist to my mill

Rich harvest which I love to till!

 

Intrigued perhaps, you come my way,

My blog records each fleeting stay;

Though I shall never know your name

I am so grateful that you came!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Munt Point and Etterbeek

A Chapter of Woes

Think positive – is well and good

When matters turn out as they should

But many feel a pall of grey

Overshadows every day.

 

Bad news sells; the world’s a mess

Parleys for peace cause distress

Budgets threaten tax hikes soon

For the less-well-off – deep gloom!

 

As we approach this end of year

What words can I use to cheer?

More famous faces fade from view

Will generation Z come through?

 

Our planet suffers at our hands

Although legislation bans

Fly-tipping, bins still overflow

As public sector workers know.

 

Hence strikes disturb city routines

Depriving us of transport means

But will the Government take note

When it exists*? This seems remote!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* No Brussels government for over 541 days:

 

While Sipping Tea

The cuckoo clock chimes in the hall

Dark shadows play on kitchen wall

Children’s voices heard in street

Echoes of excited feet…

 

Inside, I sip my cup of tea

The radio burbles near to me

My calendar says it’s December

A clean slate – bye, bye, November!

  

The twelfth month dawns in silver sky

Timidly, the time goes by

While lives burst at the seams with stress;

Many want more, but need less.

In winter darkness, I take stock;

 As peace, desired by all, is not …

Talks drag on, strong hopes expressed

But none with foresight has been blessed …

 

We’re in the dark, in every sense

France wants to bolster its defence

Some Belgian nuclear plants* will close

How will it all end? Who knows?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Doel-1 and Tihange-1

As November wanes ...

November dies in wind and mist

Though sometimes falling leaves are kissed

By ragged rays of autumn shine

Pre-Christmas shoppers out – big time!

 

The wars continue – peace talks stale

Hong Kong fireball* leaves black trail

Floods* in Thailand’s south claim lives …

But Hope, amazingly, survives…

 

Mismanagement, neglect, or Fate?

Disasters still accumulate

On-line news beeps in our phones

No privacy – just think of drones…

 

Conspicuous consumption peak

As Black Friday lasts all week!

I opt out – I forego mainstream

I watch the leaves fall and I dream …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Both events happened on 26th November, 2025 with extensive loss of life ... 150 people died in Hong Kong.

An Ode to Postcards

On-line links may cause debate

They steal our time, our lives dictate;

On scary Dark Web deals are done

As for clickbait - we succumb …

 

This virtual world now rules our lives;

For banking this may well be wise

But nothing beats the personal touch;

I love this way to keep in touch!

 

These unexpected pleasures real

Influence the way I feel;

Shucks! Someone ‘out there’ took the time

To personalise kind thoughts and sign!

 

Handwritten notes are fun to see;

A postcard, although rare, can be

Harbinger of a dear friend’s news …

Old ways are best, so I enthuse!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

72 Hours of Strikes?

Is Brussels still “The-Place-to-Be”

Where individuality is key?

Each soul strives in his own way

Life’s tricky game of chess to play!

 

Three days of strikes in bitter cold;

So, Christmas gifts remain unsold

As shopping trips are now curtailed;

Our normal life has been “derailed”.

 

Some metro, bus and trams still run

Check STIB’s website for each one …

But pickets may disturb our day:

Familiar moan about poor pay …

 

Meanwhile, cold rain means soggy views

Adding to today’s sad news…

As drawn-out, forthright talks persist

With peace encumbered by high risk… 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

In a Word - Brrrr!

My terrace, now clothed in pure white,

Presents a truly awesome sight!

Trapped leaves cut through this fragile veil

Bird footprints pattern tiny trail…

 

All looks so pristine - but beware

Ice can get trapped under there.

So, should I step out when it’s cold?

Crisp, snowy walks are oversold!

 

My car's passed on; it’s had its day;

So, Shanks’s Pony is the way

That I get from here to there

Ergo, time to tread with care …

 

I think of those with dogs to walk;

Such daily forays can be fraught

As puddles can convert to ice

And on dark days this isn’t nice!

 

The sun fights hard to show its face;

But I have checked – there is no trace

Of warmth; just wind that bites and burns:

Proof that winter now returns …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025