As July Ends ...

July is somnolent sans crowds,

Cloaked in pale sun and wispy clouds

Masked social distancing un-swayed

Though some restrictions are now waived…

 

Quick riffle through the bargain racks …

It’s end-of-sales time but still stacks

Of fashions hang in there - unsold:

Has retail therapy gone cold?

 

Pop-up emporiums do well

Slick snazzy gadgets lure and sell;

At bars and cafes, dearth of queue

With would-be clients passing through …

 

On the flip-side, how our hedgerows thrive!

Dame Nature roams unchecked, alive

Bold slug invasion – damp surprise

Amid the bees and butterflies.

 

While breezes make petunias dance

New spider webs my walls enhance

Their virtuoso filigree

Woven with such skill – for me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Caught in a Cloudburst!

Sheet rain and cloudbursts can be fun

To watch – but if you have to run

To seek out shelter, unprepared

And brolly-less, it can be weird.

 

We waited - under threatening sky

When - happiness! - the tram came by

We clambered on and found a seat;

I noticed many sandalled feet …

 

Then, without warning, a bright flash

Harsh pelting rain as people dash

To get on board, drenched head to toe;

Multi-lingual swear words flow!

 

Nature’s power hose cleans panes

Plants bob like crazy in the rains

A deluge soon forms on the floor

Washed in by wind through open door!

 

Bedraggled dogs in sombre mood

Drip-dry in silence, wanting food …

So, when my tram stop comes in sight

My anorak is zipped up tight!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Rising to the Occasion!

“Let’s do some baking!” Mummy cries;

Both, soon adorned with apron ties,

Will blend ingredients, carefully weighed

And neatly on bench top displayed.

 

Vast mixing bowl: eggs, sugar, flour

Is this challenge in their power?

Cocoa powder goes in too!

My mini-chefs see this task through.

 

Small baking cases quickly filled

Thomas licks the bowl;  he's thrilled!

Both now watch their buns rise fast

In the heated oven through the glass …

 

Rule One of this cooking school

When fully baked, the buns must cool;

Cute Isabella beams with pride

Her sweet success she cannot hide!

 

Butter icing hits the spot

While ‘Sprinkles’ make these small buns rock;

How they covert their new treat!

“Please Mummy, is it time to eat?”

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Aftermath - Along the Meuse

Along the Meuse whose banks were breached

Many homes lie out of reach,

Though essential services are few

Road clearance now helps aid get through.

 

With many mobile networks down

The missing list grows; did they drown?

Worried neighbours wait in fear

Their prospects troubled and unclear…

 

Locals have their work cut out;

Some stranded victims are brought out

While receding waters soon reveal

 An apocalypse for real!

 

How long before these “wrongs” are “righted”?

Wallonia’s summer season - blighted?

Tough Belgians do their best to cope

But grim despair may conquer hope…

 

Helicopters’ aerial views

Now dominate the evening news…

We humans think we’ve got life sussed

But Nature once more laughs at us…

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Awash!

Disaster strikes - the shock is great

We’re served up panic – on a plate!

This July abnormal rains

Race to flood and block our drains!

 

The Hain and Meuse soon overflow;

Liège town centre is no-go.

With three months rainfall in three days:

Muddy waters scout camps raze …

 

Wallonia, famed for scenic views,

Quite overwhelmed as waters ooze

Into houses, bars and shops;

All valiant public transport stops.

 

This roguish rain respects no border;

German cities in disorder;

Cars bump and crash in the melee

Some houses crumble right away …

 

Debris and death as waves recede

Anguished souls stand in dire need

Of clothing, food and place to go

As all they owned is lost in flow…

 

From crippling heat and forest fire

To streets and homes awash in mire …

Extremes which make the message clear

Global warming’s real - and here!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Liège on the Meuse River

 

Post-Euro 2020

Such drama on the evening news

Where big round balls kept fans amused;

Now there’s a lull – nail-biting done

The Italians clinched it when they won.

 

Wimbledon fortnight too is past.

Top class sport put out to grass!

What will now engage our Nation

As travel plans cause hesitation?

 

Weatherwise, we are not blessed

Tough to predict how we should dress

Though mugginess may help our plants

And constant rain their growth enhance.

 

The silly season - in full swing

Mad search for items that will bring

Wry smiles to those who stay at home

Live separated, or alone …

 

Who dip into my little rhymes

Recounting life in virus times;

England (the country, not the team),

Will soon banish quarantine…

 

Other countries hedge their bets

Fear of COVID their context;

So, who knows how this will play out?

Sport of another kind, no doubt!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Early July - a Meditation

The radio burbles on the bench;

I enjoy the gentle flow of French

As I pour fresh milk on fruit and oats

Or cut some slices to make toast.

 

July begins in mist and rain

Bursts of sun then flooded drain!

A mini mud-slide in my street

Has grown much larger this past week...

 

The “Grandes Vacances” have now begun

Friends are leaving, one by one,

For places where the sun’s assured

For many - thrilling trips abroad!

 

Our summer lasted just five days!

Bold cloudless skies post morning haze

Too good to last? Too good indeed

But nice my book outside to read …

 

Tennis and football* flood the news

Vast crowds, big screens and lots of booze

But leafy Brussels gets my vote

As I can switch off my remote!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Wimbledon fortnight and Euro 2020

A Change in Attitude?

It’s ne’er too late to change your ways

Excitement lurks in each life phase!

Staying put breeds lassitude

Wake up, folks, let life intrude!

 

Why paddle your canoe alone?

You get no hugs from your Smart phone!

It’s time for action - kick doors wide

Who knows what treasures lie outside?

 

Why nestle lazy in a rut

With worry gnawing at your gut

When you can change the status quo?

It’s simple - just rise up and go!

 

COVID shakes us from our groove

Life as we knew it on the move

New horizons - quite unplanned

Surprise us now on every hand!

 

So, grit your teeth and conquer fear

Jobs lost while others now appear;

Old attitudes fade into dust

Embrace all change, because we must!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Euro 2020 - A Win for Who?

With its love for football often cited

Surreal Belgium is united!

Anticipation buoyed by hype

All eyes on big wide screens last night…

 

But there’s no easy way to say

Red Devils hopes have crashed today

Black-yellow-red flags droop forlorn

While the “Tifosi” are re-born…

 

The Italians’ two-one score is clear

Disgruntled fans cry in their beer

Deep disappointment in defeat

While the second Nation’s* win is sweet.

 

Post-war, Italians worked our mines

Labouring for better times

Their many children were born here

So, for which side did many cheer?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* until recently Italians were the second most populous nationality in Belgium.