Maelbeek - Past and Present

Picture a millstream gently flowing
In former times through pleasant glade
Rich pasture land with cattle lowing
Country estates with orchards laid.

Down cobbled tracks right out of town
Nature showed its rich increase
Where nobles used to hunker down
In bucolic setting, full of peace.

An untrammelled, gentler way of life
Seen on engravings long ago
Beyond the reach of city strife
Where the fastest speed was – slow.

Fast forward now to present day
Encompassed by the Institutions
It has a brand new role to play
Modern life has no illusions.

The country manors are no more
On once green fields tall buildings rise
A road runs on the valley floor
Maelbeek - hidden from our eyes!

Like 'Molenbeek', it hits the news
Foreigners now hear its name
But not for its once leafy views
Lost rivers – now recalled with shame.

(c) Poet in the woods 2016

Terrorist attack 22nd March, 2016 in the Maelbeek metro ...