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

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