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

Fatal Attraction?

I’m sometimes asked how I’m inspired:

A famous singer has retired?*

Does climate change new fears evoke

Or those in power rock our boat?

 

I glean ideas from daily news

Learn from friends why they enthuse

Or find on Internet new theme

On which my muse can feast and dream.

 

I latch onto the ‘here and now’:

Ideas burgeon (God knows how);

I try to capture fleeting thought

 As every ode has lifespan short!

 

As for books, the title’s key

A pun, I find, will often be

Somewhat of a mild temptation

Sealed with clever punctuation!!

 

No charge, no adverts, just pert prose;

So, thanks for being one of those

Who passes by from time to time

And finds amusement in my rhyme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* e.g. Julio Inglesias  - Spanish singer (born 1943)

 

A Fishy Tale!

Dry summer, lack of rain – quick spark

However caused, leaves landscape stark

The fault of climate change, or worse

 With great demands on Public Purse.

 

Mild sun, no mists, Brussels is fine

But fires elsewhere flare up big time;

This B.C.* one no fault of man

Let’s see how the story ran…

 

An osprey dropped its fresh-caught fish

On voltage wire and watched it fizz

This caused a short and then a flame

The bird flew off – escaping blame…

 

The fish, well-cooked, without a sound

Its death unmourned, plunged to the ground

Unaware it caused a fire

Whose consequences would be dire…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* A bird dropping a fish onto a power line caused a brush fire in British Columbia, Canada. The fire, which was relatively small, was sparked by the fish, which had been dropped by an osprey, making contact with the power lines. The resulting embers ignited dry grass below. The fire department confirmed the osprey sustained no injuries. 

On Generation Z

Now the Individual is key

Leaves have fallen from life's tree!

No fun encounters on the bus

Eye contact fixed on screens, not us!

 

Dear Belgium’s motto seems waylaid

Its “Strength in Unity”* betrayed;

As Generation Z advances

Each forced to cope and take his chances …

 

In many ways we’ve gone off track

So, Amy’s plaintive “Back to Black”**

Expresses in poetic form

A disconnect - fond memories torn…

 

What happened to old “Common Sense”

Who ought to come to our defence?

Each paddles his canoe alone

More friends reduced to mobile phone.

 

Unless I am much mistaken

A backward step has now been taken,

Is this selfish streak forever?

We’re stronger when we pull together…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* L'Union fait la Force, Eindracht Macht Macht

** Amy Winehouse's song: 'Back to Black" came out in 2006

Mood Swings

In the puddles on my terrace, clouds reflected;

August with a wave of rain infected

Which dents my hopes for sun on this new day

How brave can I be, when skies are grey?

 

So, I wonder how it is with YOU, out there

When you pull open curtains, do you stare

At this misty veil which means less heat

And desist from wearing sandals on your feet?

 

The happy hordes down south soak up the sun

Braving traffic chaos for beach fun

While those of us who stay to earn our crust

Cope with rainy days because we must!

 

That temperatures affect our mood is true

Emotions roller-coaster our lives through

Variety is the spice of life they say

But how much still sparks joy in hearts today?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

Greenwashing et al.

Laundry may get washed each week;

But of ‘greenwashing’*, who dares speak?

So much today one cannot trust

Spoon-fed posts can make brains rust!

 

Core beliefs are put on trial

Profit margins hide with guile!

Big Brother skulks on Internet

Environment concerns - shipwrecked!

 

What happened to old 'peer review'?

Who knows for sure what facts are true?

The business world, imbued with greed

Runs roughshod over human need…

 

Grim-minded Nature takes a stand

To teach us, she will flood dry land

Hence earthquakes rock our status quo:

Unite we must or down we go!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of making unsubstantiated or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company.

A Mixed Palette of News

Let’s think back; in the last few days

We have sweltered in heat haze

Riedlingen train crash – three souls dead

Cambodia/Thailand border – red!

 

Food trucks arrive on Gaza strip

Trump’s trade tariffs take a dip

Satirist Tom Lehrer’s passed

Ozzie Osbourne’s breathed his last…

 

True, friends on holiday, have fun

But for the rest of us, it’s rum

Now heavy rain cleans Monday’s slate

So, what have we to celebrate? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Notes: 27th July: S.W. Germany: Riedlingen train crash caused by overflowing sewage shaft which caused a landslide. 41 people injured.

Tom Lehrer brilliant US satirist, famous in 1950s-1960s (1928 - 26th July, 2025)

John Michael Osbourne, known as Ozzie, leader singer of heavy metal group "Black Sabbath" (1948 - 22nd July, 2025)

On Reading Between the Lines!

Each day, I delight to see

How many of you “follow” me.

On line of course, not down the street,

Whom among you, will I meet?

 

So, yes Folks, this is what I do

Strike a gentle chord with you.

And no, I never use A.I.

“It’s all original!”, I cry.

 

My blog is read around the clock!

My cheeky rhymes must hit the spot

With regulars from overseas

Who love my puns; my playful tease…

 

How did you find me? I’m confused;

A word search based on current news?

Or a theme which you hold dear?

It’s flattering to find you here.

 

I treat all subjects with respect

Unlike some posts on Internet

My aim is simply to bring joy

And with awkward subjects toy …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

July 21st - some Reflections

On National Day, we felt the “drache”

But what is Belgium without splash?

Stands sprang up near Poelaert’s pile*

Hot frites enjoyed by rank and file!

 

The King’s traditional speech had bite

Reminder of the E.U.’s might;

How it’s more vital now than ever

For all of us to pull together …

 

The Police and Army did their stuff

We learn that these careers are tough!

The Cour des Comptes held Open Day:

Neoclassic splendour on display!

 

An impressive tank held kids in awe

Huge coastguard speedboat to explore…

Bold military bands played fast

As two giants glided past!

 

The Governmental year is done;

This country briefly beats as one;

Strict measures will require restraint …

Today, however, no complaint! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* The Lawcourts

Note: drache is Brussels slang for heavy rainfall