A Fishy Tale!

Dry summer, lack of rain – quick spark

However caused, leaves landscape stark

The fault of climate change, or worse

 With great demands on Public Purse.

 

Mild sun, no mists, Brussels is fine

But fires elsewhere flare up big time;

This B.C.* one no fault of man

Let’s see how the story ran…

 

An osprey dropped its fresh-caught fish

On voltage wire and watched it fizz

This caused a short and then a flame

The bird flew off – escaping blame…

 

The fish, well-cooked, without a sound

Its death unmourned, plunged to the ground

Unaware it caused a fire

Whose consequences would be dire…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* A bird dropping a fish onto a power line caused a brush fire in British Columbia, Canada. The fire, which was relatively small, was sparked by the fish, which had been dropped by an osprey, making contact with the power lines. The resulting embers ignited dry grass below. The fire department confirmed the osprey sustained no injuries. 

On Generation Z

Now the Individual is key

Leaves have fallen from life's tree!

No fun encounters on the bus

Eye contact fixed on screens, not us!

 

Dear Belgium’s motto seems waylaid

Its “Strength in Unity”* betrayed;

As Generation Z advances

Each forced to cope and take his chances …

 

In many ways we’ve gone off track

So, Amy’s plaintive “Back to Black”**

Expresses in poetic form

A disconnect - fond memories torn…

 

What happened to old “Common Sense”

Who ought to come to our defence?

Each paddles his canoe alone

More friends reduced to mobile phone.

 

Unless I am much mistaken

A backward step has now been taken,

Is this selfish streak forever?

We’re stronger when we pull together…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* L'Union fait la Force, Eindracht Macht Macht

** Amy Winehouse's song: 'Back to Black" came out in 2006

Mood Swings

In the puddles on my terrace, clouds reflected;

August with a wave of rain infected

Which dents my hopes for sun on this new day

How brave can I be, when skies are grey?

 

So, I wonder how it is with YOU, out there

When you pull open curtains, do you stare

At this misty veil which means less heat

And desist from wearing sandals on your feet?

 

The happy hordes down south soak up the sun

Braving traffic chaos for beach fun

While those of us who stay to earn our crust

Cope with rainy days because we must!

 

That temperatures affect our mood is true

Emotions roller-coaster our lives through

Variety is the spice of life they say

But how much still sparks joy in hearts today?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

Greenwashing et al.

Laundry may get washed each week;

But of ‘greenwashing’*, who dares speak?

So much today one cannot trust

Spoon-fed posts can make brains rust!

 

Core beliefs are put on trial

Profit margins hide with guile!

Big Brother skulks on Internet

Environment concerns - shipwrecked!

 

What happened to old 'peer review'?

Who knows for sure what facts are true?

The business world, imbued with greed

Runs roughshod over human need…

 

Grim-minded Nature takes a stand

To teach us, she will flood dry land

Hence earthquakes rock our status quo:

Unite we must or down we go!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of making unsubstantiated or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company.

A Mixed Palette of News

Let’s think back; in the last few days

We have sweltered in heat haze

Riedlingen train crash – three souls dead

Cambodia/Thailand border – red!

 

Food trucks arrive on Gaza strip

Trump’s trade tariffs take a dip

Satirist Tom Lehrer’s passed

Ozzie Osbourne’s breathed his last…

 

True, friends on holiday, have fun

But for the rest of us, it’s rum

Now heavy rain cleans Monday’s slate

So, what have we to celebrate? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Notes: 27th July: S.W. Germany: Riedlingen train crash caused by overflowing sewage shaft which caused a landslide. 41 people injured.

Tom Lehrer brilliant US satirist, famous in 1950s-1960s (1928 - 26th July, 2025)

John Michael Osbourne, known as Ozzie, leader singer of heavy metal group "Black Sabbath" (1948 - 22nd July, 2025)

On Reading Between the Lines!

Each day, I delight to see

How many of you “follow” me.

On line of course, not down the street,

Whom among you, will I meet?

 

So, yes Folks, this is what I do

Strike a gentle chord with you.

And no, I never use A.I.

“It’s all original!”, I cry.

 

My blog is read around the clock!

My cheeky rhymes must hit the spot

With regulars from overseas

Who love my puns; my playful tease…

 

How did you find me? I’m confused;

A word search based on current news?

Or a theme which you hold dear?

It’s flattering to find you here.

 

I treat all subjects with respect

Unlike some posts on Internet

My aim is simply to bring joy

And with awkward subjects toy …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

July 21st - some Reflections

On National Day, we felt the “drache”

But what is Belgium without splash?

Stands sprang up near Poelaert’s pile*

Hot frites enjoyed by rank and file!

 

The King’s traditional speech had bite

Reminder of the E.U.’s might;

How it’s more vital now than ever

For all of us to pull together …

 

The Police and Army did their stuff

We learn that these careers are tough!

The Cour des Comptes held Open Day:

Neoclassic splendour on display!

 

An impressive tank held kids in awe

Huge coastguard speedboat to explore…

Bold military bands played fast

As two giants glided past!

 

The Governmental year is done;

This country briefly beats as one;

Strict measures will require restraint …

Today, however, no complaint! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* The Lawcourts

Note: drache is Brussels slang for heavy rainfall