R.I.P. Dame Patricia Routledge (1929-2025)

There is nothing I could name

Who so deserves the Dame

That our lass of Birkenhead

Won hands down; her talent spread

 

Through Old Vic theatre and TV ;

How we loved her repartee

Born of gritty Northern roots

Her acting had us in cahoots !

 

BAFTA win with  ‘Talking Heads’

Then with Richard, whom she weds

Hyacinth blows us away

With how she says her name : Bucket!*

 

Class-ridden Britain well portrayed

With wit she tries to make the grade

And elevate her humble station ;

Her Hetty Wainthropp – a sensation !

 

Patricia Routledge - household name

Has so many claims to fame …

Appearances no longer kept:

A rich life lived - the Nation wept …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Pronounced Bouquet

Richard and Hyacinth in "Keeping Up Appearances"

in which she starred wih actor Clive Swift.

She died on 3rd October, 2025 at 96.

Princely Encounters?

This is deep; do you dare think

How you with others forge a link

Through work, or happenstance, or school ?

Meeting up can be SO cool !

 

A conference can often send

A casual colleague, now new friend ;

Encounters on a bus, or plane :

Business cards swopped on a train …

 

At times, Eureka! A new bond

Who knows why ? Your heart feels fond ;

Hope can vanquish Never-Never …

Perhaps this time you’ll stay together ?

 

Grab each chance, as life is short

Real happiness is dearly bought ;

Will we meet these souls again ?

« Go for it ! The old refrain…

 

Carpe diem – seize the day!

Lonely souls will find a way ;

Each Prince Charming, in disguise,

Can lead us to a bright sunrise !

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

R.I.P. Dame Jane Goddall (1934-2025)

Another death now heads the list:

Think : ‘Gorillas in the Mist’*;

Like Diane Fossey and hors pair

Jane Goodall’s Africa was rare.

 

Befriending wily chimpanzees**

Observing human traits in these,

Our nearest link, so much alike;

For conservation she would fight…

 

Born in the Thirties, child in war,

The Sixties brought her to the fore;

Her actions and her dedication

To these apes – a revelation!

 

With forest forays left behind

She shared her knowledge with mankind

On lecture tours which captivated 

And new views initiated…

 

One of Nature’s pioneers

Role model for brand-new careers

Her spirit still inspires, set free

At Ninety-One with D.B.E…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* 1988 film set in Ruanda

** In Tanzania's National Park

In Book Heaven!

The summer heat still lingers

But the leaves crisp up and brown

The cotton clouds have fringes

The knotweed’s been scythed down.

 

A morning chill is forecast

We must prepare for rain

My bookshelf beckons - it's so vast

Let's snuggle up again!

 

Shall I turn the heating on

And sink in deep armchair?

I think my Autumn is on song

With reading matter near!

 

Reality today seems grim;

Disasters feed the news

But with a book to get stuck in

I switch off and enthuse! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Clean Water - Modern Miracle!

The autumn chill frisks up the leaves

Unravelling Nature’s summer sleeves

Causing mulch soaked by the rains

Hey Presto! Lots of clogged road drains!

 

Our Sewer Workers must delve deep

To clear those blocked pipes while we sleep;

They toil in murky depths below

To regulate the water flow.

 

24/7 they must fight

Unhealthy creatures* out of sight

Wading knee-high in town waste:

So many dangers to be faced …

 

Clean drinking water – source of pride!

So, spare a thought for those inside

The hidden networks under streets

Who fix those cracks in pipes and leaks! 

(C)  Poet in the woods 2025

* i.e. rats, mosquitoes, slugs and other creepy-crawlies!

A Mango Moment

After busy days, a lull;

But taking time out isn’t dull

As mellow mango tea delights

Time to put the world to rights!

 

The helter-skelter many ride

Propels us forward, though we’ve tried

To call a halt, put down our phone …

Our spirit needs some time alone.

 

Technology sure has its place

But makes us live at break-neck pace;

How easy it is to explore*

The complex pattern that is war…

 

What happened to the “Good Old Days”

When Sunday Papers were the rage:

A weekly dip into the news

With different, sagely filtered, views?

 

It may seem we have lost the plot

As Fake News grabs us, like as not

Our prurient minds are overfed;

Is discernment, that rare gift, now dead?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* also known as doomscrolling

On the Sixteenth Letter!

P for Politics and Prime Time

P for Poetry (Prose with rhyme);

P for Passion, Pride and Power

P for Puns that can Inspire!

 

Should we mind our Ps and Qs?

P for Pleasures that enthuse;

P for Piano-Playing soft

P for faux-Pas (something off).

 

I could Persist with list unending

Who Picks Up where this is trending?

How this Pert Poet likes to tease:

We’re humans and we all need Ps!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Hiccup at Zaventem?

It’s great to fly through autumn skies

With bird’s eye view of gold sunrise

But cyber criminals roam free

At Zaventem – catastrophe!

 

Queues for baggage stretch for miles

Grumbling overtakes the smiles

Cancelled flights across the board

Complaints of passengers – ignored …

 

More chaos reigns – but who’s at fault?

Is this a terrorist assault

Or just a programme “out to lunch”?

That it’s Big Brother, I’ve a hunch….

 

Reliance on the Internet

Is omnipresent; we forget

That once Real People were on hand

We could trust them – all well-planned …

 

Now social media spreads such news,

And promotes conflicting views;

This mystery remains intact

But that delays mount up – is fact!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

R.I.P. Robert Redford (1936-2025)

 Robert Redford fades from view

At 89 his bolt shot through;

With Barbra Streisand we concur

Sadness for “The Way We Were” …

 

With blonde good looks, this rising star

Imbued with talent, soon went far!

Revenge for death of friend: ‘The Sting’

Brought Box Office punters in!

 

"The world’s a stage" as Shakespeare said

And life’s a play by actors led;

Their “fret and strut” we so admire

But c’est la vie; as they retire…

 

Erased are more names from Life’s board

Yet, in our memories, they’ve scored;

They still delight on silver screen

As handsome as they’ve ever been!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

"The Way We Were" came out in October, 1973

A Step out of Time

That the world’s gone mad we know

Perhaps it always has been so?

With Internet, Chat GPT

And Instagram, it seems to be

 

A world of turmoil and upset

Ducks-in -a-row we cannot get!

We ponder on life’s mysteries:

And search the damned wood through the trees…

 

Meditation moments loom;

I search for light amid this gloom …

Autumnal colours cheer my heart

With rich variety and spark …

 

We’re only given one life each;

Whether long or short, we reach

With outstretched hands to grasp

Its fleeting wonders as we pass …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Mass of Critics or Critical Mass?

How exciting – I have happy news!

My blog is blessed with heaps more views!

From distant lands you come on line

Curious to read my rhyme.

 

I’m blown away by this new wave!

Is it my cheeky words you crave

Or do you find me as you scroll?

No matter - I am on a roll!

 

I wonder – are you in accord:

'The pen is mightier than the sword'?

We’ve never met and never will

Yet you provide a heartfelt thrill!

 

This wealth of fake news can distract

So, some philosophic chat

Or an offbeat point of view

Finds discerning readers – YOU!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Coin du Balai Street Party!

Once a year our street is closed;

Tables are laid out in rows.

Neighbours bring a plate or two

Impromptu brick-wall bar on view!

 

Inspiration has run riot

Vast food display; forget the diet!

A great chance to exchange warm chat

As COVID had restricted that…

 

The Committee has it neatly planned

With celebratory jazz band

Whose serenades are fun, upbeat

While under fairy lights we eat.

 

Piled-high dishes soon change places

As neighbours spot more friendly faces;

We raise our glasses, gorge on pie

Under this September sky.

 

Coin du Balai residents are blessed

At leafy, end-of-summer fest:

Proof positive a shared endeavour

Brings the locals here together!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Coin du Balai - Boitsfort

The Mystified Poet

High spikes on blog graph I see

You fuel my poet’s mill

I don’t know how you find me

But it’s always a big thrill!

 

Perhaps you daily surf or scroll;

Do keywords make you pause?

This is,  I feel, the poet’s role

To attract – without applause …

 

I dabble in a myriad themes

But keep my topics light;

Political events it seems

Make YOU out there – alight …

 

Upon my blog which you peruse

For an instant in your day;

But who you are I have no clues

Most live so far away!

 

My inspirations gently flow

As life affords us much;

Now “on-line” is the way to go

So let us keep in touch!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

The Potency of Silence

It’s what you DON’T say, that means most;

Silence is a boat that coasts

Along a stream-of-thought unvoiced

Yet, what you THINK perhaps, is choice!

 

We often pause, or hesitate

When with a friend, or on a date

As spoken words can’t be clawed back …

Take diplomats *– they have the knack!

 

Whether love or politics, the game

Of innuendos stays the same;

One party is confused, perplexed

While we’ve bought time to process text!

 

Drama on the stage is key;

How potent silence proves to be;

What isn’t said, is understood …

Pure genius when the actor’s good!

 

Does silence have a golden touch?

Much chatter can be “double-Dutch”;

Two ears, one mouth (that’s you AND me):

God’s ratio is clear to see!

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* i.e. Sir Humphrey Appleby in the BBC's  "Yes Prime Minister"!

i

At BECI Brussels

BECI* provides real “meet and greet”

In Brussels’ most prestigious street

As entrepreneurs congregate;

From 8 a.m. the croissants wait!

 

What fun to talk with those I met

Real-time chats I don’t forget:

The importance of the human touch;

A face and handshake mean so much!

 

Hot coffee served with friendly chat

And exchange of cards, we sat

Putting forth our points of view:

“Tell me, what is it YOU do?

Over twenty years I’ve been a guide;

This surreal country, known world-wide

For frites and chocolate, has much more

For discerning tourists to explore!

 

Perhaps your clients have free time

To visit Brussels not “on line”?

With history rich, there’s much to see

So, why not book a tour with me? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

A "Good Morning 500" is organised every Thursday from 8 am :-)

* Brussels Enterprises Commerce & Industry - 500 Avenue Louise

On Failure and Success

If you don’t succeed: Try!  Try again!

Think Robert-the-Bruce (of spider fame)*;

Success cannot come soon enough

We live and learn as life is tough.

 

Think of small kid who tries to walk

Towards his parent, but distraught,

He can’t manage it first go

Lacking balance, down he’ll go!

 

His little legs won’t take the strain …

He wobbles and falls down – again

Until one day he gets the knack

Sure-footed now – no turning back!

 

Failure breeds success we’re told

Through repetition, we grow bold

Such lessons echo down the years;

The Black Prince had to earn his spurs!**

 

This callow youth, heir to the throne,

Found himself in battle thrown

Learning first hand in the fight

How to be a perfect knight!

 

Being patient is the key

No one’s lives are error-free

Determination makes us strong

And some extremists earn a gong! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* 14th century legend of the King's perseverance watching a spider at work....

* * Aged 16, the Prince fought in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.

The black prince so named aftet the colour of his armour!

He did not become king because he died a year before Edward III in 1376 ...

Journalists in Jeopardy

All summer, many friends are quiet

Elsewhere: earthquake*, war and riot!

Brave journalists risk life and limb

World daily dramas to phone in.

 

Some die** in war zones – it’s so sad;

Repressive measures, iron-clad,

Mean independent news is rare;

Who now to tell the truth will dare?

 

“Jaw-Jaw not War-War” still prevails

As few are those who furl their sails;

They claim to suffer from cold feet

But promise sanctions when they meet!

 

Do I speak for others when I write?

Life is more than black and white;

The hand of politics is dire

And yet, to peace we all aspire …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan on 31st August, 2025.

Many dead and injured ...

** on 25th August - 5 journalists targeted.

End-of-August Meditation

What would happen if our inner voice

Fulfilled a wish, and it was choice?

World politics has gone astray

And changes rock the USA …

 

Fake News leads to wishful thinking

As Common Sense, our boat, is sinking...

The God of Wrath indeed holds sway

And sweeps more certainties away.

 

I wonder, do you catch my drift?

I play with metaphors and sift

What I see from what I know;

Life’s a game of chess, played slow.

 

Most humans worry, sit on fence;

‘I’m not involved’ - is their defence

But all of us a role must play

The immensity blows me away …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Ostend to Nieuwpoort on the Kusttram!

We’d met at Ostend station under doubtful sun

Where it had seemed a fun idea to take a coastal run;

Harsh seemed the chattering aboard to non-West Flanders ear

My friend found it awkward – and she comes from here!

 

The Kusttram was quite crowded, hordes of trippers forced to stand;

This multi-stop to Nieuwpoort held views of windswept sand;

The dunes, like mini pyramids, showed signs of some decay

Detritus dropped on pavements  - whipped up and blown away!

 

The tram meanders down the coast from Knokke to De Panne

In terms of views, it’s a delight, so catch it if you can!

With thirteen towns to visit, there’s plenty to explore

So why not munch a waffle as you walk across the shore?

 

People stroll along the digue (or dyke if you prefer)

The wind is always bracing; it messes up permed hair!

This weekday in late August meant a cloudburst and sunshine;

We dined in style behind thick glass; with memories to rhyme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Kusttram

Nieuwpoort Marina

Every Dog must have His Day!

Man’s Best Friend, his loyal hound

Who greets his master with a bound

And wagging tail, when he comes home

Deserves a special day – his own.

 

I see on Internet this date*

When Doggy Lovers celebrate

Their faithful Fidos with a treat;

It’s of World Dog Day I speak!

 

As I live by forest glade

Canines of all breeds parade

Past kitchen window every day;

Man and beast form live display!

 

Intent upon their daily task

To answer call of nature fast,

Up steep hill they come and go

In rain or shine, hail, wind or snow …

 

At times they bark, so I look out;

Determined owners must wield clout

Obliged to keep them on tight rein:

A case of who leads who – again!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* 26th August

Loneliness - Solitude - Enlightenment!

 When you lose your love, who made you laugh,

Who shared your life, your “other” half

You felt bereft, chilled to the bone

A gaping hole yawned in your home.

 

And whether you wished it, or no

The shades of sorrow brought you low;

No helping hand to share the chores

You began to miss his flaws …

 

But solitude means time to think

While you this bitter chalice drink;

Time to delve deep in yourself

As you shelter on your shelf.

 

Over months or years or more

You realise life means to explore

And develop personal dreams

Enlightenment in profound streams!

 

One chapter in your life is closed

But don’t despair; be one of those

Who now walks in pastures new

Learning at last to be – YOU!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Idle Thoughts

You know you can’t turn back the clock;

Old photos prove that you are not

That smooth-faced chick that used to rock

To Beatles strains;

But hey, we know more than we did

Of prejudices we hope we’re rid

And Illusions held fast as a kid;

Youth had no pains…

 

We’ve progressed in so many ways

Surviving adolescent phase

With a brand-new trail to blaze

Shown style and verve!

Not all dreams have made the cut

Perhaps we’ve been down on our luck

But also such good bargains struck:

It just takes nerve!

 

With time at last to meditate

On this world in parlous state,

We wonder what will be our fate;

All seems unknown;

So, treasure each and every day

Fill it up as best we may

Before wild winds blow us away

And take us home …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Dents in our Belief System?

Die-hard, entrenched beliefs decay

Uncertainties now plague our day.

Don’t rock the boat! Don’t make a fuss!

What’s in God’s mind to treat us thus?

 

Constant vigilance is key

As on-line means we’re never free

From surveillance or phone chat;

The “Good Old Days” saw none of that!

 

Does ageing mean that we harp back

To childhood? Was all white or black?

Or were our minds just unaware

Of life’s dangers everywhere?

 

So many on-line posts proclaim

Bygone days as “right as rain”;

It’s eighty years since Hitler’s War -

Is life not better than before?

 

Huge improvements in health care,

Electric cars and smog-free air!

Yet sales of junk food now increase;

Elusive still, world hopes for peace …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Under the Clouds

What shall I write about today?

Terence Stamp* has passed away

A heartthrob of our younger years;

Meanwhile, Alaska** heightens fears.

 

Scattered snippets found on line

Which catch our eye from time to time

As fires*** rage in distant lands

And throw a spanner in our plans.

 

That’s it, you see, the Great Unknown:

Real life beyond our mobile phone

Which gives complacency a shake

With hurricane and strong earthquake.

 

We yearn for peace but invoke war

We try to even up the score…

High level meetings to take place

Where Doves and Hawks come face to face ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Terence Stamp (1938 - 17/8/25) who starred in Billy Budd, The Collector and several Pasolini films in the 1960s  - not to mention The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ...

** Chosen for summit between DJT and VP

*** in Portugal, Spain, Greece and B.C. Canada