Just four days in and desert lands
Upset so many travel plans
The troubled skies light up at night
But not by any long-haul flight…
Hordes of passengers are stranded
Woe to those who have just landed!
Caught helpless, wondering what to do
World politics is led – by who?
The Strait of Hormuz shuts the door
Soon prices at the pumps will soar …
With the power vacuum now created
Peace talks seem fragile and inflated…
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Tumultuous this Chinese year:
The feisty Fire-Horse struts here!
Upsets, upheavals, goalposts missed,
All untoward, we’re crisis-kissed!
Dire news from friends I read
Risks are coming home to breed!
Disasters clothed in myriad forms,
Routines beset by sudden storms…
Fire, death and illness fight for space …
The Wheel of Fortune picks up pace!
Thank goodness we can count on friends
Whose moral comfort never ends…
Money can’t solve every plight
Although of course when cash is tight
Despair comes knocking at our door
And stress can shake us to the core…
This Fire-Horse year, right on cue,
Runs roughshod; we must plan anew
As certainties are turned to dust …
But fight on to survive – we must!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Not all news is “also read”
Behold - hot temperatures in Feb!
The weathermen in Uccle sigh
Climate change, methinks, is nigh!
Pristine snow scenes, captured fast
By Jan’s photographer, will last.
But soon the clouds blocked out the blue
And dripping brollies furled anew!
Now February nears its end;
On warmer days we humans spend
Bird-trilled moments in bright sun
Where kerbs with daffs are overrun!
A host of crocuses I spy
Proof that the council has passed by …
Sweet Nature flirts in new attire
And doubtless, poets will inspire!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Our 'To-Do' list grows and grows ...
We’re busy, often in the throes
Of vital action or hard task;
“What must I do next?” you ask.
Drat, once again we put aside
An indulgence, let it slide …
Then, after urgent jobs get done
Tiredness stops us having fun!
There’s so much we’d like to do
As our friends need attention too,
But often, sadly, we’re time-poor
Struggling to complete each chore!
We never seem to find the time
To chill, as we’re “hooked” on line;
I muse – is modern stress a phase?
Perhaps we should re-think our days!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
When you think of friends, you make that call
It’s been a while, so let’s not stall!
The friend in question hears your voice,
Flattered that you made this choice!
A bit of chit-chat, time goes by
Connections mean so much; you sigh
You may recall good times you’ve had
Though sometimes, what you learn is sad …
That’s why we nurture our dear friends
As every moment that one spends
With people who enhance our lives
Is precious, so friendship survives!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Milan, Cortina: Winter Games
Its snowy ambiance proclaims
Bronze medal* for the Belgian Team
A modest effort, it would seem …
Norway, meanwhile tops the polls;
Last TV coverage extols
Great prowess, skill and expertise:
They have the edge in times like these!
Observe elsewhere - the heat is on
It’s four years to the day, upon
Which, other matters topped the news;
I say no more but just leave clues …
Once more, a Sunday meditation:
Penned lightly without hesitation
Recalling what one
cannot voice
In terms of dates – a double choice …
(C) Poet in the woods
Winter Olympic Games 5-22 February, 2026
* For short-track speed skating
This ‘otherworldliness’ disturbs;
Beyond leaf-littered, wide suburbs
I see, encroaching on parched plains,
New building projects crowned with cranes.
Huge earthworks, fencing, “Keep out!” signs
For brand-new homes in dusty lines;
This barren landscape lacks a heart
The would-be roads mapped out, look stark.
Where entry needs no invitation
Key agenda issue: immigration;
This “Lucky Country” feels the strain
Hence the “Aussies do it tough” refrain.
For a visitor who loves the sun
Oz scenery is next to none
A privilege enjoyed by few:
Low rainfall is a tough call too!
For locals, this heat is a curse
Rates and tax hikes hit the purse;
Each year the risk of fire is high
As nowhere else is it so dry!
(C) Poet in the woods 2026
At times we need to pause awhile
Turn off that ever-glowing dial
Of our Smart phone, banish stress,
Consider living with much less …
Who wants more gadgets to procure?
Aggressive adverts are no lure;
Do I really need to see
Alerts from Facebook? Leave me be!
I take a walk, admire the trees;
Such precious moments - I need these
To restore the peace I lack,
And put my troubled soul on track.
Is this an age thing? I confess
In Nature I find happiness;
Plus - joy in sharing with a friend
A good book - will never end!
In bushfires you can lose it all
But helped by neighbours, you walk tall;
What matters, when you boil it down
Are friends, not shopping trips in town!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Is Politics akin to Chess?
Viz: clever moves that may attest
An agenda hidden in plain view;
From Pawn to King is nothing new!
Two steps forward, then a slide
In which direction will they ride?
Is all Black or White? I fear
Shades of grey are ever near.
Anticipating who goes where
Though each starts in allotted square;
Yet, unexpected moves may bring
A seismic shift – not a bad thing!
Jostling ‘pawns’ form options new
Opposing players may win through
With actions dubious, smart, effete …
Each Nation’s ‘chessboard’ is unique!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
A dear friend leads me down a glade;
The sun’s rays burn, we seek some shade
By sleepy creek bestrewn with rocks
Whose background murmur never stops…
New South Oz Park by River Sturt
Where birds in muted colours lurk
Splashing in this shallow stream;
By palm fronds framing all in green!
On water’s edge, homes reached by steps;
Below, crisp leaf debris collects;
These lofty eucalypts impose
In myriad forms, majestic shows!
Bridges, boardwalks – splendid views
Roofed resting spots to sit and muse …
On our way we came upon
Welsh immigrants with dog called Ffion!
A moment shared in soulful peace
Happiness on a short lease!
This, the River Sturt's new Park*
Has found a place deep in my heart!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* Located in Mitcham, it opened in 1993.
All unbeknownst, my hat is stolen!
Once again, the camera’s rollin’
As Isabella plans her pose;
Picture-perfect; she just knows!
Mummy’s taste in clothes is sweet
Today, the blue dress looks a treat
So Auntie simply can’t resist
Her niece’s smile – warm and sun-kissed!
It reminds me of time long ago
When the pace of life was slow
And “Miss Pear’s”
Soap ads* caught our eye
Skin care luxury to try!
We marvel at our feisty Miss
Who puts on fashion a new twist;
My old, worn sunhat looks brand-new
Thanks, of course, to you-know-who!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* These ads were popular from 1958 ...
A simple tram ride takes you there;
North Terrace high rise buildings glare
Their window panes caught in sun’s rays
Admission free – I am amazed!
Beyond its entrance, all is calm;
A couple walk by, arm-in-arm;
I spot two ladies* brightly clad
A lawyer and a teacher, glad
To pass the time of day with me;
Birds chatter in a nearby tree;
The white pavilion on a rise
A kind of folly in disguise…
Vast palm trees wave in lush profusion
A duck-filled lake in quiet seclusion
Shady paths, discrete, edged neat
What an enchanting place to meet!
Artworks are sometimes here displayed;
None seen this visit, I’m afraid!
Instead, we met and dined in style
Putting life on hold awhile …
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* For Gay and Jo
The Tour Down Under fills sports news;
Clad in Lycra, scenic views
As peddle-pushers pit their skills
Up Adelaide’s amazing hills.
Slight breezes cool – it’s hot outdoors
At Mount Lofty, cyclists pause
One biker “Eddy Merckx” displays:
A touch of Belgium in heat haze!
Meanwhile, amazing artworks stare
On Brighton’s sandy thoroughfare:
Bold dolphin “Snowflake” made me start;
Two yellow blooms – surrealist art?
One feature though, amused me most
Called “feathered cyclists” at this coast:
Gull, Puffin and a Penguin ride
Streamlined, flat out, side by side!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
"Snowflake" the Dolphin - crafted out of scrap metal by Axel Klem
Go on, admit it, life is tough
Time-poor, we have had enough
Of crazy politics and stuff
Which rocks our boat;
Such drama takes a myriad forms;
On life’s chessboard, we are pawns;
Constant weeds spoil our dream lawns -
Fear - less remote …
Abroad, at home or just next door
Raids and riots lie in store
Like sport, we try to guess the score
So much - unknown;
But Power and Greed go hand-in-hand
As Man’s worst enemy is Man,
Conciliation a vain plan
Peace flags un-flown …
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Parched grasslands threaten to catch fire
We’re overdressed in pants and bra!
Cute gecko crossing backdoor step
Some shady spot keen to detect…
Clay courts at Melbourne’s Open roast
The world’s inferno? No mean boast!
Cold water pipes in fierce sun bake,
To Hell with chores - they all can wait!
More torrid outside than within;
To sleep “perchance to dream” is in!
Those wayward flies get frequent flick,
My fingers to the keyboard stick!
It’s a witches’ cauldron scene down here
The Aussie weathermen declare.
Where ‘Hot as Hell’ takes on real meaning;
While at the Top End, it is teeming!
Plants wilt in heat;* we humans too
But this, Down Under, isn’t new!
Peerless blue skies, lack of shade
No wonder people’s nerves are frayed.
Forget the gardening or the shops
Stop outside tasks – like watering pots!
Now’s not the time for heavy chores
With aircon on, just stay indoors.
While Europe braces for more snow
A daily walk is a no-no
A dawn stroll with one’s dog is fine
But best to go out before nine!
Most habitat is tinderbox
Even snakes hide under rocks;
In minutes, laundry is bone dry …
Hatless and your brains may fry!
The freezer, choc-Ã -bloc with food
In every household, fits the mood
As no one cooks from scratch – too hard
A new experience for this Bard!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* on 25-26 Jan 2026 = 45°C
New Zealand landslide *– heavy rains!
Wrecked campsite – death a couple claims…
Nature’s vengeance unrelenting
Means more campers lose their tenting!
“News Breakfast” on the ABC:
Daily climate update spree!
Extreme warnings: floods, bushfire
As summer heatwaves can be dire.
Some quirky items make the cut:
The corpse flower** “Titan Arum” stuck
In my mind, as when in bloom
Its stink can quickly clear a room!
“Lady Gaga” here is python white
To visitors - a rare zoo sight;
Today’s news: she is to retire***
While Tamworth**** "roper” skills inspire!
A cull of pesky cane toads planned*****;
While “Hate Law” politics is damned;
Today’s new capsule of Oz news
All grist to my cheeky Muse!
(c) Poet in the Woods 2026
* At Mount Maunganui, North Island
** In Adelaide Botanic Garden
*** From NT Wildlife Park
**** At annual Country Music Festival held at Tamworth, NSW
***** This invasive species threatens Australia's native Quoll - a carnivorous marsupial
This heat evokes strong urge to swim:
What a temptation! We jump in
To cool off in the ocean brine;
Though this could be for the last time!
Today - horrific prime time news!
Top item getting massive views
At Manly Beach disaster strikes
In murky waters three shark bites!
Devoted lifeguards who are trained
See life-changing wounds sustained
By souls who are still unaware
That they the sea with sharks may share!
For Sydneysiders a sad day
Incautious swimmers - juicy prey
To hungry predators who roam
Just out of sight, lost in the foam…
Drones on shark watch scan the waves
In place: red flags
and barricades
But human nature is perverse:
So, risk-takers come off worse …
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
News flash 20.1.2026 - 4th Shark attack in Sydney!
2nd news flash - the 12 year old boy has died of his wounds in hospital...
When things do not go their way,
Humans rebel; what can I say?
It all depends which cards are dealt:
Injustice fuels moods deeply felt…
Oz climate is top news this week
Both floods and bushfires havoc wreak;
Koalas now breed in profusion*
To cull them, though, a vain illusion…
Heatwaves mean fruit fails to last
While butter turns to oil too fast!
Milk curdles on the breakfast table;
Oz freezers work to keep food stable!
Some lucky friends have swimming pool
For others, showers keep them cool;
Thus, more in daytime than at night
To doze, perchance to dream, seems right!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
Turbulence in many places,
Ethics are put through their paces;
Riots, bushfires, floods are clues
To what is making today’s news.
We learn of Nuuk* in frozen north …
Talk of invasion and so forth;
All this has a disquieting ring
What changes will this new year bring?
Great Ocean Road – torrential rains
Bushfires rage – huge livestock claims
Caravans get washed away!
New “Anti-Hate” laws cause dismay.
Mid-summer so all schools are closed
Kids’ antics keep Mums on their toes
Sunhats and suncream still a must…
Native gardens dry as dust!
This Southern world needs different norms:
Glaring sun then sudden storms;
It’s tough to know just what to wear
Bright colours though, are everywhere!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* The capital of Greenland which belongs to Denmark
How is it Vietnam found my blog
With many hits*, not just a nod?
My readers escalate worldwide
This makes me feel all warm inside!
My site now reaches teenage years
Where it expresses hopes and fears
Recounting life in mocking tone
But NO A.I. – the words mine own!
Each day I lightly scan the news:
Odd happenings evoke my Muse.
Attracted to my comments wry
My blog tracks all those passing by!
My poems offer mental food;
No deep thoughts, just a teasing mood;
If curious, you call again;
As being serious is a pain!
Ennui is what we hate the most
So, let’s be upbeat, roller-coast;
A moment out-of-time I pen
Enjoy my words and please – stay zen!
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
* 659 hits in 24 hours!
