Captivating Cricket!

Much news Down Under is sports-based

The Ashes Series tops the race

As cricket fills our TV screens

And eager crowds cement their dreams!

 

When play gets tough in this star game

The MCG pitch gets the blame!

Wickets fall and bails fly high

Under a peerless sapphire sky.

 

I don’t pretend to know the rules

Taught worldwide in the best schools,

But marvel at the grandstands full

As this sport retains its pull!

 

Innings, runs and ball-by-ball,

These terms are known by one and all.

We often talk of “sticky wicket”

And some things are just “Not cricket”!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Melbourne Cricket Ground at sunset

 

On Christmas Past - Aussie-Style!

Time passes in a summer haze

In Perth some bushfires are ablaze;

Long-necked turtles* at 'Top End'

Are endangered – so, befriend!

 

The Sydney-Hobart Yacht race glides

Across our screens – more sport besides

As the Aussies hold on tight

To the Ashes – UK plight!

 

There’s much promotion for the sales

Despite the heat, this trend prevails!

Not much is mentioned from abroad

Unless it’s sport where Aussie scored!

 

Wide streets, tree-lined see wheelie bins

Along the roadside: gift-wrap, tins,

Drunk-dry bottles, last week’s news

Christmas trappings - now refuse …

 

The supermarket carpark fills

In no time, queues and ringing tills

The quiet lull of Christmas Day

Is broken as the Sales make hay!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Australia is home to six of the world's seven marine turtle species, all listed as vulnerable or endangered, including the Endangered Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley, and the Vulnerable Green, Hawksbill, and Flatback (unique to Australia) turtles, facing threats from plastic pollution, climate change affecting sex ratios, entanglement, and habitat loss. 

Learning the Ropes!

In warm weather, we all slow;

Avoiding heat means lying low

Even simple tasks take time

So daytime dreaming is divine!

 

Yet,  chores still cry out to be done;

Clothes dry quickly in the sun

All foodstuffs in the fridge stay cool

Cleared kitchen surfaces - the rule!

 

Insects buzz and can cause grief

Beware each wrinkled lettuce leaf!

 Mould on shelf jam quickly forms …

For daily health – shoal of new norms!

 

Not that I complain or grouse

But as I live in Aussie house

Over Christmas, I now heed

New perspectives – at full speed.

 

You shut doors to keep out the heat

Some walk barefoot in the street!

A wide-brimmed sunhat de rigueur

And have your water bottle near!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Isabella turns Eight!

Today, whom do we celebrate?

Isabella - who turns eight!

Her interest in science grows;

She loves to show off what she knows!

 

Sharp intellect and caring soul

Will medicine become her role?

She checks on Granny’s hearing aid;

Are daily pills on table laid?

 

Her altruistic attitude

In one so young, reflects smart mood,

A lively lass whose heart is fond;

Age does not matter – just warm bond!

 

She senses when care is required

And shows concern when Granny’s tired…

This maturity is new

Huge age gap - Gran is 1-0-2!

 

A nurse? A doctor? Who can tell?

This noble trend is shaping well.

For now, though, she’s content to be

Our curious little love, still twee!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On Gratitude

With the festive season in full swing

For those who live alone, it’s grim;

For many injured the bell tolls,

We pray for Sydney’s gunned-down souls* …

 

Blog comments pop up – but are rare

Thanks for showing that you care;

This is making links big time

I am touched you like my rhyme.

 

With privacy in pride of place

I understand you leave no trace

Of who you are, from whence you came

But I’m flattered all the same.

 

Which brings me to today’s main theme

On gratitude shown through a screen

It means I’ve touched you in some way

So, thank you – you have made my day.

 

The future is not ours to know

But kindness helps us all to grow

So, my thanks for words of praise

Which in this selfish world – amaze!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On December 14th, 15  were shot and many injured oat a Hanakkah event on Bondi Beach by 2 gunmen, one of whom died at the scene.

Christmas Fare Down Under

I think of friends, who far away

Awake to dull, grey skies today

While I am privileged indeed;

Sun brings my morale up to speed!

 

The razzmatazz of Christmas here

In sultry southern hemisphere

A welcome change from snow and rain

Though “made in China” gifts remain!

 

For Christmas fare, those in the know

For cherries and seafood will go.

But chocolate melts and cheeses sweat

So, for treats, what should I get?

 

It’s wine-in-a-box that sells

Though water in great flagons swells

The glasses of invited guests

We dehydrate, so it is best!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

On Bondi Beach

Australia: blue skies, easy parking

Wide boulevards and no dogs barking

Where eucalyptus trees give shade

And clothes on washing lines soon fade.

 

Another world, where local views

On cyclones and heatwaves are news

Now finds itself in state of shock

With Bondi Beach filmed round the clock!

 

Harsh gunshots - unexpected - heard

A peaceful festival disturbed

By a lone father with his son

Extremists – many lives undone…

 

Under warm December sky

Police and lifeguards don’t stand by

One gunman, tackled, is disarmed:

Death toll 15, many harmed.

 

Those of The Faith in disbelief;

The P.M.* speaks of untold grief

Personal bouquets build for hours

Bondi Beach soon drowned in flowers …

 

Media scrutiny intense

World sorrow – no one on-the-fence;

Tough call for Holocaust survivor

With sunny Sydney – not safe either …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Anthony Albanese

Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

  

On Overnight Thunder

Dreams shattered by a thunderclap!

Through silky blackness shades drawn back

All this before dawn’s pristine glow

Wreaks havoc on cloaked shadow show!

 

I sit bold upright – jetlag reigns

My mind, still restless, plays weird games;

With time zone consciousness awry

Perhaps a crossword I should try?

 I’m alert and silent - Aussies sleep;

Am I reduced to counting sheep?

The clock dial by my bedside glows

The minutes drag by – should I doze?

 

With inner body clock disturbed

Was it thunder that I heard?

My brain, though active, is confused

A lone car rumbles by – I muse...

 

Dawn chorus soon – I’ve ringside seat

Small pleasures found in tiredness peak

A twilight zone for jet-lagged heart

New meditation in the dark …

 

 Before the trauma daylight brings

Choc-à-bloc with mundane things,

This rude awakening gives me time

To marshal these few thoughts in rhyme …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

  

My Net spreads Wider!

Great news!  I am a lucky bee:

Two Brussels libraries* have bought me!

“A Muse in Brussels” finds new fans:

Readers born in foreign lands?

 

This guide recounts with anecdote

Brussels quirks and sights of note

In an easy-flowing rhyme

Modest insights – but all mine!

 

Folklore and history pique my muse;

As do chats and trenchant views

Providing fun grist to my mill

Rich harvest which I love to till!

 

Intrigued perhaps, you come my way,

My blog records each fleeting stay;

Though I shall never know your name

I am so grateful that you came!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Munt Point and Etterbeek

A Chapter of Woes

Think positive – is well and good

When matters turn out as they should

But many feel a pall of grey

Overshadows every day.

 

Bad news sells; the world’s a mess

Parleys for peace cause distress

Budgets threaten tax hikes soon

For the less-well-off – deep gloom!

 

As we approach this end of year

What words can I use to cheer?

More famous faces fade from view

Will generation Z come through?

 

Our planet suffers at our hands

Although legislation bans

Fly-tipping, bins still overflow

As public sector workers know.

 

Hence strikes disturb city routines

Depriving us of transport means

But will the Government take note

When it exists*? This seems remote!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* No Brussels government for over 541 days:

 

While Sipping Tea

The cuckoo clock chimes in the hall

Dark shadows play on kitchen wall

Children’s voices heard in street

Echoes of excited feet…

 

Inside, I sip my cup of tea

The radio burbles near to me

My calendar says it’s December

A clean slate – bye, bye, November!

  

The twelfth month dawns in silver sky

Timidly, the time goes by

While lives burst at the seams with stress;

Many want more, but need less.

In winter darkness, I take stock;

 As peace, desired by all, is not …

Talks drag on, strong hopes expressed

But none with foresight has been blessed …

 

We’re in the dark, in every sense

France wants to bolster its defence

Some Belgian nuclear plants* will close

How will it all end? Who knows?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Doel-1 and Tihange-1

As November wanes ...

November dies in wind and mist

Though sometimes falling leaves are kissed

By ragged rays of autumn shine

Pre-Christmas shoppers out – big time!

 

The wars continue – peace talks stale

Hong Kong fireball* leaves black trail

Floods* in Thailand’s south claim lives …

But Hope, amazingly, survives…

 

Mismanagement, neglect, or Fate?

Disasters still accumulate

On-line news beeps in our phones

No privacy – just think of drones…

 

Conspicuous consumption peak

As Black Friday lasts all week!

I opt out – I forego mainstream

I watch the leaves fall and I dream …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Both events happened on 26th November, 2025 with extensive loss of life ... 150 people died in Hong Kong.

An Ode to Postcards

On-line links may cause debate

They steal our time, our lives dictate;

On scary Dark Web deals are done

As for clickbait - we succumb …

 

This virtual world now rules our lives;

For banking this may well be wise

But nothing beats the personal touch;

I love this way to keep in touch!

 

These unexpected pleasures real

Influence the way I feel;

Shucks! Someone ‘out there’ took the time

To personalise kind thoughts and sign!

 

Handwritten notes are fun to see;

A postcard, although rare, can be

Harbinger of a dear friend’s news …

Old ways are best, so I enthuse!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

72 Hours of Strikes?

Is Brussels still “The-Place-to-Be”

Where individuality is key?

Each soul strives in his own way

Life’s tricky game of chess to play!

 

Three days of strikes in bitter cold;

So, Christmas gifts remain unsold

As shopping trips are now curtailed;

Our normal life has been “derailed”.

 

Some metro, bus and trams still run

Check STIB’s website for each one …

But pickets may disturb our day:

Familiar moan about poor pay …

 

Meanwhile, cold rain means soggy views

Adding to today’s sad news…

As drawn-out, forthright talks persist

With peace encumbered by high risk… 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

In a Word - Brrrr!

My terrace, now clothed in pure white,

Presents a truly awesome sight!

Trapped leaves cut through this fragile veil

Bird footprints pattern tiny trail…

 

All looks so pristine - but beware

Ice can get trapped under there.

So, should I step out when it’s cold?

Crisp, snowy walks are oversold!

 

My car's passed on; it’s had its day;

So, Shanks’s Pony is the way

That I get from here to there

Ergo, time to tread with care …

 

I think of those with dogs to walk;

Such daily forays can be fraught

As puddles can convert to ice

And on dark days this isn’t nice!

 

The sun fights hard to show its face;

But I have checked – there is no trace

Of warmth; just wind that bites and burns:

Proof that winter now returns …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Advent of the Christmas Tree

Sans government - yet Christmas tree

With lofty boughs, now proud to be

Star-studded feature in main square;

Bewitched tourists stop and stare!

 

Chalets pop up by the Bourse:

Mulled wine and gifts to tempt - of course;

While temperatures drop below

That magic 4 degrees – no snow.

 

We fish out warmer hats and coats

Wrap woollen scarves around our throats

Leaving home when it’s still dark;

Did we remember where to park?

 

Quaint shops put on their brightest show

Overhead the street lights glow;

A sense of expectation reigns…

“What! More STIB strikes?” a voice complains!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Frothy Coffee Thoughts!

The wisteria on my terrace grieves;

Snow sprinkles cling to its tired leaves

The sky, now iron-grey, opaque

Like icing on a Christmas cake.

 

They warned us of it, yesterday;

My gloves and scarves, once put away

Must once more hang in entrance hall

Today, must I go out at all?

 

Friends come and go in wintry light

Their footsteps muffled, wrapped up tight

Our Indian summer on the wane

Dark mornings now with icy rain…

 

This outlook grey spawns thoughts of grey

I have no guided tours today…

Just a few scattered thoughts to mull;

Life may be cold but never dull.

 

Life happens, we must weave our thread

So, I abandon my warm bed;

First stop on this slate-tinged day:

Hot coffee lures me – I obey!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Gremlins Galore!

Life doesn’t always go your way

Those pesky gremlins love to play

Upsetting apple carts galore;

If you show nerves, they do it more!

 

Life isn’t one long peaceful ride:

Troubles queue to get inside

Our would-be tidy lives and riot;

No good screaming out: “Be quiet!”

 

They plumb our weakness, pierce our shell

Just when things are going well;

When we’re bothered, feeling stressed

That’s the moment they love best.

 

Far be it from me to complain

As all of us, at times, feel strain

But you have to wonder why

Annoying clouds block out our sky.

 

Our path with obstacles is strewn

We see the dark side of the moon;

It’s hard to learn that life means risks;

Thank God the light, though faint, persists…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025