An Uninvited Guest!

Have you noticed in the summer haze

We suffer an annoying phase:

Small pesky flies on the rampage?

Whence do they come?

Fly-swatters do not do their job;

They land on desk, chairback or hob

With firm intention to hob-nob

With Number One!

 

I lay out veggies which I chop

Preparing food on counter top,

Alerted, they swerve in and stop;

Unwelcome guests!

My windows so admire the view

Near the forest, it is true

But must those damned flies buzz in too

And life infest?

 

Condemned to live with windows closed?

This cheeky fly has a good “nose”

One opened crack and in it goes

To sniff my food;

Now, I love nature and am keen

Like Greta Thunberg - on things green

But this intrusion on my scene

Is just plain rude!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

A Word on St. Bartholemew

Brought by Philip to the Lord

Bartholemew is little known

Just a few lines now record

His life and role as Jesus’ own.

 

One of the twelve, John’s Gospel states

A doctor, also known as Nat*,

He on a cross met grisly fate

As Pagans him in judgement sat ...

 

Soon linked to end-of-August Fair**

Then Massacre in faith-torn France

His touch is light – why is he there?

Can prayers to him life enhance?

 

Yet, reminders of him still abound

Take London’s hospital St. Barts;***

 His impact on our lives profound

 Through caring and the healing arts!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* also known as Nathaniel

 ** medieval fairs held on 24th August, St. Bartholemew's feast day

*** founded back in 1123

Massacre of French Huguenots by Marie de Medici on 24th August, 1572

The Poet is Bowled Over!

Life is strange; the pun is apt

Stunned like a mullet I am – fact!

Two souls have homed in on my verse;

This recognition is a first!

 

To start, a friend from theatre days

Who feels that “Ups and Downs” * displays

Her state of mind for birthday bash

At Seventy she’ll make a splash!

 

Then young cousin, in far Adelaide

Puts writing talents on parade;

Elijah chooses for this task

My dedication** from times past.

 

I’m stunned, delighted and bemused

How disparate people are enthused …

This brace of poems makes the grade;

I put my best smile on parade!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* https://poetinthewoods.blogspot.com/2023/08/ups-and-downs.html

** https://poetinthewoods.blogspot.com/2017/08/elijah-immanuel-kerby.html

Elijah's handwriting task (2023)

Ups and Downs

Age doesn’t do you in, it’s thought

Our mind plays tricks, we’re overwrought

We cast around this sea of gales,

When our ship has broken sails…

 

Which way to steer?  With fog ahead

Uncertainty gives birth to dread

We’ve lost our way, we drift awhile

Too sad to conjure up a smile…

 

Clouds gather and the thunder rolls

We feel washed up – with no real goals…

But isn’t that a lighthouse there?

I can reach it - if I dare …

 

From shark-infested to free-flow …

It takes time brand-new goals to know

But rest assured hope is in sight

As sunshine pierces darkest night …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

A Sunday in August

Evacuations from Niger!

I wonder what goes on down there?

Does COVID rear its head again?

Wildfires in Yellowknife* cause strain …

More friends, now ageing, live alone;

I try to share time on the ‘phone

And muse: who goes the extra mile

To visit them and share a smile?

 

With starter homes in short supply

The young now struggle to get by

As a friend remarked this week

The world in which we live looks bleak;

Such international news appals

 So, I head off to market **stalls

Sleeveless  - as it’s hot today;

Roast chicken queues stretch far away!

 

Friends stop and  chat this sunny day;

I think of those who still  make hay;

It's time to chill out, grab a book

Make tea and sit in shady nook …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* In the .W. Territories in Canada

**  Boitsfort Market, Brussels

Hidden Depths

We hide from others what we fear

Our wistful smile, a thin veneer …

A friend shows interest and shares

Over tea or wine, our cares.

 

How fragile is our outer shell

A brave face often hides it well

But underneath lie worries stark

Which often burden lonely heart…

 

Is this bravado? So, I muse

How many of us hide bad news?

Disappointments, health concerns

Financial worries, love life yearns?

 

The truth us – each of us is flawed

We flounder or cry out when bored

Hoping friends see through our shield

While fearing much will be revealed…

 

We cope with challenges enough

But being human, it is tough

So, only those who know us well

Can comprehend our personal hell.

 

I know, it’s all been said before

Life’s river flows beyond safe shore;

Sometimes we float, sometimes we sink

Not every day champagne and mink! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

On Karma

This August is an empty plate;

I muse on what I can debate

Let’s talk of karma, mystic lore ...

I wonder – have we lived before?

 

Life numbers ought to give us clues

We add our birth date and enthuse

Each life path offers vistas new

Perhaps our soul knows what to do?

 

We grow up slowly and mature

Experiencing in depth each year

But, do we understand our goal

Is it the saving of our soul?

 

Pre-Reformation, this was key;

Material wealth now thought to be

The highest aim we can achieve

But fate has more tricks up its sleeve!

 

 In today’s world, we are cursed

Should we put our career first?

What role has family in this race?

Do we struggle to save face?

 

Perhaps with age we take back seat

And realise life is bitter-sweet;

Helping others brings a glow

Yet, what does this poet know?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

An August Grouse

The Glorious Twelfth! Let grouse beware

As beaters gather, guns prepare …

Man’s love of hunting never ceases

The quest for ivory increases

 

Elephants on the rampage

Their habitat cut down in swathes;

Crop spraying decimates the bees

Dame Nature brought down to her knees...

 

Maui Island loses hope

All of Lahaina up in smoke

The death toll rises – 89

Migrants die at sea – big time…

 

Each chapter this month spreads more gloom:

The silent elephant in room ...

While plastic waste our oceans chokes…

It’s time indeed to wake up, Folks! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Wild grouse in the Scottish heather

The elephant in the room ...

Releasing the Brake ...

Wildfires, fierce floods, month of extremes

Summer of discontented dreams

Price hikes - airlines now make hay

As Belgians rush to fly away!

 

Winds, not breezes, batter trees

Blown-out brollies are a tease!

The traffic’s light; no sweat to park;

Veggie gardening before dark…

 

Little pleasures, it is true

But peace and quiet feeds souls too;

Time to grab a thrilling tome

A sweet indulgence – all alone!

 

To take time out, cast work aside

And let our mood our actions guide

Imparts to life a rosy glow…

Go on, I dare you - take life slow!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Isabella - the Rock Star!

“Talking ‘bout my generation …”*

Isabella – rock sensation

Struts her stuff with great aplomb

Recalling “The Who’s” greatest song!

 

So young, and yet she draws a crowd

You’ve heard it all before – I’m proud!

Love the shades – she looks so cool

Pink perfection out of school!

 

That steady gaze, that stance assured

Isabella – never bored

Innately catches camera’s eye;

Our catwalk princess now says “Hi!”

 

Though I suspect she’s well aware

That an audience is there …

So, Auntie once again is fired

To pen this ode, by her inspired!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Issued in 1967

The Life of Riley

With social media, news flies fast

In minutes – round the world – a blast!

Another cousin swells our ranks;

For this great blessing – we give thanks!          

 

Wee Riley Maurice – August babe

Has joined the world in Adelaide!

Big brother Aiden, made aware

Learns that he must take great care

 

And not strike out to grab and touch

Although he loves him very much.

Proud Mum and Dad gaze on with joy

At their brand-new, home-made boy.

 

What lies ahead, we cannot know

But for all those in the know

“The Life of Riley”* was a breeze

He led, they say, a life of ease!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Originally 1880 popular song "The Life of Reilly".

Also 1992 song by Ian Broudie of "The Lightning Seeds"

My poem arrived!