Framed for Auntie!

This composition poised, untried

Positioned neatly, just inside

An ornate frame, front-facing view

Shows Isabella’s grin is new!

 

Dame Nature knows a thing or two

As growing up is hard to do;

To get adult teeth, we’re wired

It’s just patience that’s required!

 

The Pillow Fairy knows the score

That front gap wasn’t there before

But tooth replacement does take time

And occasions this short thyme.

 

Thomas, very much the man,

Has passed this stage and so he can

Look kindly on her gappy smile

Less photogenic – for a while…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

Smurfmania!

What is dear Brussels coming to?

Peyo’s people born bright blue

Now known as Smurfs - are on parade!

Rihanna (Smurfette) has it made!

 

Down Mont des Arts police abound

Loudspeakers blare pulsating sound

While barricades halt tourist flow;

STIB buses don’t know where to go!

 

Smurf mini-cars parked on stone step

Round giant mushroom crowds collect;

A wide screen gives a bird’s eye view

Whichever way you look, it's blue!

 

The Manneken is not best pleased

His face now hidden when he pees

Swaddled in blue fuzz for hours

In Smurf costume he perspires!

 

King Albert stoic, on his horse

Observes this scene, par for the course

Surrealist to the nth degree:

Smurf debut film is a must see!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

The Smurfs were created and introduced as a series of comic characters by the Belgian comics artist Peyo (the pen name of Pierre Culliford) in 1958, wherein they were known as Les Schtroumpfs.

King Albert on the Mont des Arts

Summer - Delayed?

Heatwaves forecast? I see rain …

Petals to be swept again

From my terrace puddle-filled

Grey skies leave me under-thrilled!

 

Off the radar, friends seek sun;

Sales up next – but who wIll run

To see what bargains they can find?

This ‘fast’ fashion blows my mind!

 

Tempting offers with a catch!

Summer trains are mix and match

Hoping to reduce the queue

More trains to the coast in view.

 

The glut of soft fruit is a lure

Great vitamins we all can share

While meat is chopped in little bits

For barbecues and roasting pits!

 

I observe this frenzy and I sigh

How quickly June has flown on by;

Heatwaves? All stays dripping wet

Has summer really started yet?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On Strike - Again!

Matchless Belgium goes on strike!

Another drama comes to light!

As such disruptions are not fun

Forgive indulgence in a pun!

 

That the world’s gone mad, we know;

Human nature stoops so low;

Injustice, chaos and pure greed

Always form a brazen seed…

 

Since climate change and sudden war

Provoke my Muse and take the floor

For some, my riddles may perplex;

What will this poet think of next?

 

Retirement dates to be delayed

Out-of-work fees to be frayed

Public transport routes curtailed

Daily life again derailed…

 

But blue skies and a hopeful sun

Remind me summer has begun;

At least one task was not neglected

My rubbish bins have been collected!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Brussels  Bin men at work!

25th June, 2025 - another public sector strike ...

A Monday Meditation

Extreme heat never lasts too long

We swelter briefly then ‘tis gone

For one day I wrap round sarong

Toes – sandal-free;

Then comes that dratted nip-in-air!

I shiver on my terrace chair;

No, Belgium’s summer isn’t fair

As change is key …

 

Winds rustle my wisteria leaves

Below a wall of waving trees

Discarded petals form a frieze

By hedgerows lush;

Outside I can sense the rain

Dog owners grim pass in the lane

Dusty smears grace window pane

Roof gutters gush…

 

Monday morning – traffic jams

Students sit their last exams

In the background passing trams

In constant flow;

Most working friends on mobile talk

Too wet to take my healthy walk;

I ponder - why is life so fraught?

Must it be so? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Boitsfort Exodus

Today it’s warm and skies are clear

I get my walking shoes in gear

And saunter down paths overgrown

On forest edge, not far from home.

 

It’s Friday morn; cars drive on past

Where are they going – need I ask?

For I have left routine behind

A long time since, no daily grind…

 

Instead, I hear birds in the trees

Spy butterflies caught on the breeze

See flies on honeysuckle teem

Observe the lushness of June green ...

 

Weeds and flowers, bold as brass

Bob and curtsey as I pass;

A single poppy on fine stem

Strikes a bold note now and then.

 

By Boitsfort’s Rugby Club I pause

A swallow passes by and soars

Lost in a sky of sapphire blue

White chemtrails sadly spoil my view!

 

Nature needs no invitation

I lose myself in meditation

Taking time out is a knack!

But time presses - I turn back …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Plateau de la Foresterie

Brussels - the Green Apple?

In the Twenties horse race tracks

Brought in crowds along the flats;

‘Big Apple’ prizes named New York

Skyscraper way of life soon fraught…

 

Now Brussels has an Apple too

In Place Royale – of verdant hue!

It indicates, as you should know,

Magritte’s museum down below.

 

Another surrealistic touch

To Brussels buzz we love so much!

This painter’s codes perplex, amuse:

Bowler hats, weird lighting views.

 

Daily objects juxtaposed

Horses, veils and goodness knows!

Graphic artist, smart, effete

Artwork finely drawn – unique!

 

Most famous is that cloudlike bird!

His combinations are absurd

And yet they make us pause awhile…

Say what you will, the man had style!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

In Place Royale since October 2023

René Magritte (1898-1967) leader of the Surrealist Movement 

The Everlasting Beach Boys!

Lead singer, bold and debonaire

With innovative lyric flair

Brian Wilson hit the spot

His ‘Good Vibrations’ is still hot!

 

Surfing, beaches, USA …

Epitomising dream heyday

Those handsome Beach Boys timed it right

With optimism at its height!

 

‘California Dreaming’, ‘Sloop John B’,

Foot tapping ‘Barbara Ann’ got me!

‘Twas another time and place …

America with sunshine face.

 

This hedonistic youth pulse - gone

But ‘Wouldn’t it be nice’ lives on

Still captured in a time-warp phase;

Today’s U.S. lives troubled days…

 

His shooting star long shadows cast

But we haven’t seen the last

Of Brian’s genius which still flows

My silent thought: "God Only Knows"…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Brian Wilson (1942- 2025) died June 11th,  aged 82

A Smattering in June

So much depends on how we feel

We wonder with A.I. - what’s real?

No Government in Belgium still …

Graz school suffers over-kill …

 

Heat wave promised this week end

While Gaza residents must fend

For themselves – since aid is scarce;

Deep sorrows for my daily verse.

 

More famous deaths: Sly Stone this week

And should we of poor Fabian speak?

On this day “E.T.” appeared;

That he captured hearts was weird…

 

Our longest evenings are in sight

There’s talk of Strawberry Moon tonight …

Haphazard thoughts caught in mid-flow

But what this means, we cannot know.

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

9th June: death of Sly Stone, US singer (b. 1943)

10th June: Shooting in Graz school - 11 dead, 

11th June: Strawberry moon 

Steven Spielberg's science fiction film  came out  on June11th, 1982

From Nothing to Something!

There are days ‘on hold', and this is one

Lots of odd jobs now get done;

There’s a certain stillness and few cars;

This holiday* sees busy bars!

 

Friends get in touch; they too have time

I keep up to date on line

The sky looks iffy – but no rain

Or  bright sunshine – such a pain!

My terrace needs another sweep

I wield my brush to keep it neat

Small gusts of wind cause leaves to swirl

It must be done – so, Attagirl!

 

Not all shops are closed today

Supermarkets still make hay

I think a stroll will lift my mood

As I spend time choosing food!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Pentecost - a public holiday

Shrinkflation!

More neologisms flood the Net;

This latest one I shan’t forget:

Shrinkflation, as the term implies

Is sneaky commerce, so be wise.

 

Food prices still appear unchanged

In products in our daily range;

But there’s less weight in same-size tins

The supermarket always wins!

 

Packaging by law must state

The exact contents on our plate.

So, labels tell the truth – worse luck:

Fewer goodies for our buck!

 

Money-saving is fake thrift;

I wonder if you get my drift?

Caveat Emptor*  reigns supreme

Price madness shatters Scrooge’s** dream! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Latin for Buyer Beware!

** Celebrated miser in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

Ageing - Handle with Care

We all get older – that’s plain fact

Humanity cannot look back

So, I ask what I can do

With quality of life in view.

 

Is it guaranteed, I muse

That we our energy will lose

With brittle bones our certain fate?

Surely, we can mitigate …

 

The ageing process if we try;

Take exercise to keep us spry

Challenge brain cells, concentrate;

Sudoku puzzles titillate

 

Try speaking in another tongue

Or getting daily crossword done …

Allow yourself more time to sleep;

An early night just once a week

 

Will make our self-care programme strong

Before we join the morning throng.

Whatever we are going through

Our diet should be balanced too.

 

 Little habits, no quick fix

Though adverts offer clever tricks

And promise anti-ageing cures …

Be wise! We cannot turn back years!

 

But hopeful seniors still invest

Assessing claims – which pill is best?

Though side-effects can be concealed

And harmful outcomes not revealed…

 

Make healthy ageing not so rare

We owe our bodies daily care!

Reflect upon your lifestyle choice

And act upon your inner voice.

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Inspiration - a video on Eric Topol's book " Super Agers"  - an evidence-based Approach to Longevity - published in May 2025.

See also my poem  "Thoughts on Longevity"... 

https://poetinthewoods.blogspot.com/2020/04/thoughts-on-longevity.html

To Bee or Not to Bee?

They say peace talks but does it, really?

World-leader parleys can be scary 

Resolving issues is no cinch

As neither side will budge an inch!

 

With such input – brains can’t cope

Even optimists lose hope ...

The Powers-That-Be play fast and loose

When what’s needed is - a truce.

 

Then Nature at Man takes a swipe

 Swiss avalanches Blatten blight;

Etna’s tourists trapped by fire;

Admit it, Folks – most news is dire!

The Press churns drama out each day;

With laptop shut, I walk away

Round leafy Boitsfort, where the bees

Cause a buzz and poets please …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Bee in elderflower bush ...