I never know who reads my stuff
I try to guess,
but it is tough
Not many leave
behind a trace
Nor do I meet
them face-to-face…
But my clever
blog counts up your views!
I am so lucky, you enthuse;
Around the
world, in all time zones
Someone,
somewhere, reads my poems!
This year has
harped on jabs and masks;
More freedoms
seem too much to ask
But let us hope
for brighter things
To give my
inspiration wings!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Dank silence in my cobbled street
For once no tread
of dog and feet
I peer outside;
no one to greet
And pass the
time;
Birds perch
with care on lofty branches
Keeping watch with
poignant glances
Their lively presence
here enhances
Poet’s rhyme!
I muse and
wonder how they feed
Leaf litter
covers every seed
And insect life
is rare indeed
But they are
bold;
From vantage
point they plot their course
Then, without tremor
or remorse,
Their arabesques
a tour de force,
New prey lies
cold!
Nature teaches
many things
As birds and
ideas both have wings
And pleasure lies
in little things
The poet sees;
On days when
modern life seems fraught
And more peace
of mind is sought
For one brief
moment I resort
To birds and
trees!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Between two ’feasts’ we take a pause
Perhaps relax,
go out of doors
See misty clouds
fleck winter sky
And, just maybe,
wonder why
Gun crime,
domestic rows, despair
Have dogged so
many this last year
Not to mention
freedoms lost:
2021* is tinged
with frost …
We’ve worked
from home, missed seeing friends
Have failed,
alas, to tie up ends …
And all while
timid sun hangs low
Our mood
reflected in its glow…
Time to reflect
- the choice is vast -
On this fake
jollity just past:
Along the way,
we’ve lost the plot
Child-in-a-manger
quite forgot …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* so, in 2022 what has changed?
This Boxing Day dawns quiet and cold
Sales! So much
still unsold
Conspicuous consumption
rolled
Before our eyes;
Christmas stalls
in disarray
Culture dies a
death today*
Our social
plans now swept away
As the year
dies …
But a pale moon
in the frosty sky
Illuminates us on the sly
A sure sign that
hope lingers by
And bides its
time;
Should CORONA be
seen as a test,
Because our
world is in a mess?
We need
reminding we’re just guests …
Hence this
short rhyme!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* In Belgium
Dare we dance a step or two?
The deepest
darkness is now through
Pale Christmas
star turns grey to blue
Hope spreads its wings;
My wisteria,
now devoid of leaves,
Has spiky
fingers stark that freeze
December, and
the old year grieves
And no bird
sings …
It’s been a
twelvemonth untoward
Where COVID sufferers
have soared
And many, stuck
at home, were bored
As news is
bleak;
More vaccinations
for the young
Nurses’ praises
all unsung
And culture sees its plans undone*
As from next
week!
Can ma-in-law still come and stay?
With nightclubs closed, we cannot stray
So, how to
chase the blues away?
What else remains?
But Christmas
trees sell like hot cakes,
Romantics long for
bright snowflakes
So, enthusiasm
is what makes
Us still take
pains!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* In Belgium ...
As winter wraps us in its throes
My thoughts go
out to all of those
Who, for one
reason or another,
Have lost a
friend, a dad, a lover…
As we age, we
say goodbye
To those on
whom we could rely
Who worked with
us, or shared our lives,
Now just their
memory survives…
Alzheimer’s, or
the dreaded ‘C’,
Reminders of
mortality
But often –
sadly - unexpected
Perhaps a
friendship, long neglected …
A random glance
at Internet …
Pulls us up
short, we feel regret
We’re paralyzed, laid low with shock;
But no, we can’t
turn back the clock …
Our old address
book shows its age
With
crossings-out on every page;
Nemesis new
darts has loosed:
Unopened cards
come home to roost …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
A view across Ten Reuken* lake
Sees bold swans
tiny ripples make
While branches,
clothed in frost, now quake
In icy blast;
The cloak of
darkness starts to fray
As winter sun burns through the grey;
Here comes my 8 Tram straightaway
I step on fast!
Wrapped up and masked, some passers-by,
Intent on daily
tasks, go by
While birds observe
them perched up high:
A Brueghel
scene …
After sleet,
there’s talk of snow
But COVID keeps
our spirits low;
Will more
restrictions our lives slow?
Our hopes stay
lean …
The Dutch impose
a lock-down new
So, Antwerp
sees its sales accrue
While
nightclubs don’t know what to do
At this bleak
time;
Those who
travel have now left
While some, of
families quite bereft,
Consider
options they have left
And drink
mulled wine!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* in Watermael-Boitsfort
From a little twinkle in Mum’s eye,
With Dad and
Thomas standing by
Our little
princess now grows tall
And can tell us:
“I am Four!”
Post sixteen
seasons, warm and cool,
Isabella,
poised for school,
Leaves kindergarten
for new spheres
Where all-day playtime
disappears!
Adept at chat,
she speaks her mind;
Mum, to all her
faults not blind,
Finds her
patience wearing thin
When Isabella
tilts her chin…
One’s sense-of-self
at four is bold;
It’s tough to
do what one is told
But she must learn
life has constraints
And not all
teachers act like saints!
Bright colours
seem to float her boat
All shades of
pink will get her vote
She loves to
dance on centre stage
Her future? Still
too hard to gauge!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
We celebrate on, now-fixed, days
Circumstances
that amaze;
Today is Christmas
sweater day:
Bright jingle
bells and Santa’s sleigh!
See snowmen,
reindeer, festive fare
Presents,
gift-wrapped with great care,
Much red and
white and holly green
Perhaps a
star-lit winter scene …
In dubious
taste, or work of art?
On cold
evenings many start
To knit wool
jumpers with a will
Treasured, made with love and skill.
A mass-produced, kitsch shop-design
For a bad-taste
party is sublime;
Yet, when this champagne-joke wears thin
Will it end up
in the bin?
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
It’s hard to
know just what to write
As horrors pile up
on our plate:
Farmers in
Wallonia strike
Tornadoes* bring
death in their wake…
Gas and water
bills will rise
While
supermarkets make a killing
Who still makes
their own mince pies?
Yes, Brussels
Christmas lights are thrilling!
Floods make conduits
overflow
As winter walks
are marred by rains
The River Senne’s
not “nice to know”
And yet, I hear,
there are more trains!
We dress up in
our winter gear
And make our
shopping forays brief
We look back
on this muddled year
Hoping soon to
turn new leaf!
So many
freedoms are forsworn
Event and theatre
plans are wrecked
Everywhere
masks must be worn;
We cross our fingers
and reflect…
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* Many deaths recorded in Kentucky, USA on December 11th, 2021 ...
We approach the tail end of the year
In trepidation
and low gear,
As travel is
not hassle-free;
For some – home
stays the place to be…
2021 I now
reflect
Has been a big
pain-in-the-neck;
We’ve all been
thwarted at some point:
Many noses out
of joint!
Three main
culprits hove in view:
COVID won’t
relent, it’s true
BREXIT creates
postal hell,
As for our
planet, it’s not well …
A bumper crop
of deep concerns;
Too many calls
on what one earns!
Strikes break
out for many reasons;
Drought affects
some growing seasons…
It’s the
uncertainties that jar:
Should we take
our bike or car,
Still eat meat,
or live on veg?
No wonder
politicians hedge!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
BREXIT causes untold woes
As postmen,
ever on their toes
Withhold all
parcels ex-UK
Imposing whopping
tolls to pay!
BPost mailings
now seek cash
But scams are
rife, so should we dash
To pay these hefty
costs on line
As parcels don’t
arrive on time?
Depots must be
stacked up high
With UK Christmas
gifts put by
The 5-day deadline
soon surpassed
Unpaid (ignored?),
the die is cast!
Why pay to get
a Christmas card?
Life’s modest
pleasures now are marred;
Brit lion’s share
by email comes
It’s easy,
quick and saves us funds!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Young lass in pink, poised, packaged small
Exudes
assurance and stands tall
This is a lady
in-the-know
Her femininity
on show!
With clear-cut
dress sense, she’s aware
The best way to
do her hair
A blonde
cascade now frames her face
Adding to her
innate grace.
See that
sparkle in her eye?
Attention-seeking,
she will try
To put herself
on centre stage
And with all
around, engage!
This month – December
- she’ll be four;
Admittedly, a
modest score
But Isabella
has no fears
Her savoir-faire
exceeds her years!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
The snow melts in December sun
Leaving slush
and grime to run
In tiny waves
down hilly street;
Cascading
leaves lie at my feet.
Needs must - so
I affront the day
Which starts in
chilly shades of grey
See how displays,
well-lit, attract
With hosts of gifts
so neatly wrapped!
To send cards
now I hesitate;
With email we’re
kept up to date
What joy to
voice our Christmas cheer
Skype means
free calls with near and dear!
“New Normal” means
life lived-through-screens
Too bad for
those with slender means;
Without a laptop,
we are lost
The life we
once knew turned to frost.
We yearn for
how things used to be:
Meanwhile, we decorate
our tree,
Admire the city’s
Christmas lights
And drink glühwein
on winter nights!
(c) Poet in the woods (2021)
The intimated word is - snow
The sign that
temperatures sink low
As we welcome cold
December:
Short days and
long nights, remember!
Traffic chaos,
taxi strikes
Hassles with those
“Uber” bikes
Rebelling
prison staff again
Overcrowding
their refrain.
I marvel that
we keep our cool
Are our
children safe in school?
Office
Christmas parties stall
Some kissing won’t
take place – at all!
Black Friday
limps on, unappeased
France and UK: fish
row freeze!
Gas and heating
bills to rise
Why do I find
this no surprise?
For you “out
there” who read my rhymes
How do you cope
these trying times?
This tunnel
still seems long and dark
2021 has lost
its spark!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
It figures, Thomas loves his sums
It all adds up,
this numbers game,
As this aptitude
for logic runs
In the family
tree – again!
While Auntie
deals in metaphor,
With clever words
her stock-in-trade,
Thomas so loves
to explore
How smart equations
make the grade!
He finds joy in
the ‘working out’;
In science all his skills are fine
Maths is precise
- no room for doubt;
Will
engineering be his line?
His brain
expands; he takes on board
New challenges,
sees them as art;
At eight his
learning curve has soared:
A budding Einstein* or Descartes**?
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* Albert ** René
With heavy heart I write these lines
As nights draw
in and Christmas chimes
With mad-rush
shopping deals at stake:
What price turkeys,
mince pies, cake?
This year dark
shadows cast a pall;
Travel plans for
many stall
As a new virus
strain arrives
Heralding
perhaps lost lives …
Stymied,
thwarted and frustrated
Festive fun
seems overrated
More restrictions
tie us down;
Who still wants
to ‘paint the town’?
This hidden menace
won’t let go
The Powers-That-Be
detect fast flow!
Whether we are
jabbed or not
We cannot seem to
stop the rot…
Corona loves Black
Friday crowds
Super bargains –
or black shrouds?
Even those with
cash to burn
Hesitate –
which way to turn?
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Though rare are those who read my posts,
My inspiration
flows and coasts
Round the dark
depths of my brain
And forged within,
binds a new chain!
As links are
formed, ideas connect
Some arcane - but what the heck!
I play with words,
match up odd sounds:
A pot pourri of
verbs and nouns...
All minds are wired
in complex ways
Knowledge gained
creates a maze,
Or crackling
fire where sudden spark
Gives birth to poetry
– or art!
Poets glide o’er
common herd
All hopes and dreams
like wings on bird
Their aim to waft
like magic wand
And journey to
the far-beyond!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
The populace has had enough!
Too much talk
of COVID stuff;
Restrictions
pile up, we lose track
It’s an enigma
we can’t crack!
Water cannon,
burning cars!
Lack of freedoms
is what jars
Dutch riots
spread to Brussels streets
Deutschland
bans its market treats!
Austria – rarely
in the news -
This time has trenchant
COVID views
As Europe veers
a turgid red
And travel
plans are shelved instead.
Forlorn hope to
turn back the clock;
The festive
spirit takes a knock
As this pandemic
has free 'reign'
And politics is
not to blame!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Each day more darkness cloaks the skies
Less sun - so we adjust our eyes
To gloomy mist pierced with bright lights
Fragile magic on cold nights…
Twee Christmas chalets look inviting:
Mulled wine while
buying gifts? Exciting!
From Dilbeek, a
majestic fir
Stands lofty
guard in Brussels' square!
Warm scarves
and boots seem de rigueur
In jostling
crowds, some sport a fur!
STIB’s buses come
and go with ease
The heaters work
- we shall not freeze!
The new
restrictions ardours cool
Should masks
now be worn in school?
Where possible,
we work from home
For many – too much
time alone …
Brussels blushes
COVID red?
In case of
need, is there a bed?
Our nursing staff
are under strain
And must we all
be jabbed again?
Vancouver
floods, border controls
For luckless
hopefuls the bell tolls;
We grasp life’s
nettle but it stings!
Time to pray
for better things …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Brussels Christmas Market stalls ....
When times are tough, the tough get going
Is this true?
No way of knowing
But at this
juncture thoughts are mixed
With Corona once
more up to tricks!
It’s the
uncertainty that hurts;
Our freedoms
fluctuate in spurts
Still mandatory
to wear a mask;
For some, this
seems too much to ask!
The Corona ship
needs all aboard
Restrictions
must not be ignored
So, socialising
is curtailed;
Red measures:
take tests and be trailed?
Those who yearn
for Christmas travel
Find their well-laid
plans unravel
It’s hard to
know how to proceed
And what news we
should believe…
The vast array
of festive fare
Already dazzles
shoppers here
Christmas gifts
needs must be found
Tourists though
- thin on the ground…
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Time tells, and many lose their mate
That special
someone who would make
Our mundane
lives shine with warm glow,
And smooth the
paths where we would go …
Nights danced
away or breakfasts shared
Always knowing
that they cared;
They hugged us
tightly, banished stress,
And always
acted for the best…
Then one cold
dawn they slipped away
Leaving us in
disarray,
Vanished from
our warm embrace
So, memories alone
we chase …
This year more girlfriends
suffer loss
Their lives a challenge,
tinged with frost,
Is Time the Healer?
Now we know
That this sad, learning
curve is slow …
Carpe Diem! Seize
the day!
Harder far to
do than say;
For those who
pass through this dark door
Life has an
edge not felt before …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Monday dawns in pale-blue mist
I punch the air
with angry fist
As the erstwhile
“nip” becomes a “bite”;
Donning thermals
now seems right!
Did Glasgow’s
COP* wield clout?
Carbon
footprints aren’t ruled out;
Of fossil
fuels, let us not speak
New declarations
- stark and bleak…
The poet feels,
at times like these,
We cannot see
the woods for trees;
A major
re-think is required:
Yet, no leaders
seem inspired …
Rome was not
built in a day;
Yet we hesitate
to do away
With cosy lifestyles fuelled by greed
Though we buy
more than we need …
But global
warming is no joke;
Greenhouse
gases will provoke
Drought, crop
failure, famine, fear
Which seem to
worsen, year on year …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* COP 26
Parents - caught in daily whirl
Observe in
fleeting snaps their girl
While Brussels Auntie,
blessed with time,
Encapsulates it
all in rhyme!
Pale wisps of
fragile dreams give birth
To thoughts of
school – more down-to-earth;
At nearly four,
dressed cute in blue,
Isabella now
leaps through
Another hoop,
and gently passes
From insouciance
– to classes
New band of playmates
hove in view
Attired like
her in royal blue!
Soon Kindy* rules
will be enforced
Character-moulding
times, of course!
She’ll have to take
turns, learn to share
And hold her
own, with Mum not there!
Yes, a new rite
of passage looms!
A learning
curve for gentle blooms
It’s here the “Three
Rs” will be taught;
On hand - big
brother for support!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* Eden Hills Kindergarten in South Australia
How we would like a life of ease
Away from scandal,
greed and sleaze
Yet, barraged
by vast media hype
Do we consider what
is right?
Engulfed these
days in deep malaise
Where the superficial
plays
A major note in
life’s long theme;
We’ve lost the
plot; know what I mean?
Dark shadows in
our mind’s eye play
We chase
chimeras, lose our way,
Are ‘talking
shops’* the way to go?
The hunt for
votes makes progress slow …
Autumn,
meanwhile, glows with gold
Amazing views,
ours to behold!
We meditate - how
life is short;
Must all this
beauty come to nought?
We’re buffeted in
life’s fast flow
What lies ahead
we cannot know
But survival
means a brand-new trail
So, will Common
Sense prevail?
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
* i.e. COP 26 ...
Do watch your step! These fallen leaves
Are slippery
and Nature grieves;
We sweep them
up but every day
Breezes scatter
more our way!
The atmosphere this
autumn - tense
Politicians on the fence
Our planet
cries out to be saved:
Myriad good intentions
waived …
Participation –
you-know-where …
Some countries
absent – so beware!
Top brass and
entourage make moan;
An aide-mémoire:
the world’s on loan!
Bites-of-the-apple:
twenty-six*
In many fields -
so much to fix
In essence we
must pull together:
Just another dream endeavour?
Today’s youth are
concerned and care
Will the
cupboard soon be bare?
Yet many lobbies plump for gain
To perpetrate
their gravy train ...
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
*COP 26 Glasgow - 1-12th November, 2021
Celebrities we used to know,
Who made an
impact, come and go;
Many forged a
household name
With screen, TV
or West End fame.
Canadian born,
tap dancer rare
I speak today of
Lionel Blair,
Who entertained
and danced on stage
And liked to
lie about his age!
In the Seventies
his star was strong
Seen in “The World
of Suzie Wong”,
Then cameo in “A Hard Day’s Night”
With Beatlemania
at its height!
Energetic,
entertaining, cool
A performer very much old school
His savoir-faire
slick and admired
But at 92 – was
he retired?!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Auntie, once again bemused,
Admires her wee
niece who’s enthused
By wonderful
and pretty things
And won’t set
out without her wings!
Round Mum’s apron
strings she goes
As toddlerhood
draws to a close …
Our Boadicea wields
some clout
And loves authority
to flout!
Allowed for now
to dance in pink
She’s unaware
she’s on the brink
Of a world
where rules apply
And fairy wings
must be put by!
In this new
stage, school will be key
And uniforms
may have to be
Worn so pupils
look the same;
Methinks this
rebel will complain!
No angel,
Isabella tries
To be the
centre of all eyes
This sense of
style, in one so young:
A certain sign
of life to come!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
Sad news never comes alone
But makes our
hearts sink like a stone;
Two kind men whom I
used to know
By anno domini laid
low…
Then a dear friend
in brief call
Says she is not
well at all;
COVID-diagnosed
so she
Warns all
friends to cautious be.
We wear our masks,
do what is right
To keep at bay
this evil sprite
And yet, despite
our utmost care,
It hangs around
in autumn air…
The
helter-skelter of our lives
Makes us
careless; no surprise
This
semi-freedom now allowed
Means danger
lurks in every crowd …
We long to
strut our stuff outside
Live as before,
enjoy the ride
But now is not
the time, I fear
In choppy
waters we still steer …
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
This year rolls on - in fits and starts
But separations
damage hearts;
COVID threats
keep friends apart
Life trips on
but loses spark…
On Skype and Face-Time
we can go
And
screen-converse, but well we know
That this makes
I.T. tech firms flow,
And is, at best,
a hollow show…
But think of it
- how far we’ve come
Since telephones
were Number One
With telex and H.D.
T.V.,
With many
on-line calls now “free”!
When we’re
confined to our home base,
Less time is lost
in mad rat-race
But is it stress-free?
That I doubt...
Without our colleagues,
we miss out …
Though many
work long hours on line
In theory, Folks,
we’ve more free time!
How smart are those who scroll down screen
To sunny South Sea
isles – and dream!
(c) Poet in the woods 2021
