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.

The Book of Exodus

Far-off place in retrograde

Where deathly fear and stress pervade

I shall not mention any names

But world news constantly explains …

 

The plight of those who can’t rely

On government that’s gone awry;

Scenes of panic and despair

As full planes vanish in thin air.

 

No flight from fancy; this is real!

Despite new politicians’ spiel

The West remains quite unconvinced:

Free speech eroded - inch by inch …

 

Not all change is for the best;

Reporters on-the-spot attest

To challenges they now must face

As here the world’s a darker place …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Axeman on the Würzburg Train!

More “Breaking News” invades our day!
(Not Trump's convention, Cleveland way)
But an unprovoked attack
Mid-evening on Bavarian track.

Life jolts us all in fits and starts
Terror strikes the stoutest hearts
When a young Afghani takes a stand
In a Deutsche Bahn with axe in hand!

Armed also with a deadly knife …
Several fight now for their life;
Only seventeen, no families ties
Unknown – radicalised.

Gunned down when fleeing Würzburg train;
Unsuspecting families in pain
A police raid on his poor effects
An IS flag quickly detects...

He will never harm again
But think of those upon the train
Travelling in the summer sun:
At any moment Death may come...

(c) Poet in the woods 2016

On 18th July, 2016

All at Sea!

The talk is all of emigration
From many a war-torn, troubled nation
Sound bites, harrowing explanation
Heart strings pulled taut;
Injustice, cruel dictators, drought
Fanaticism brings about
Great fear of all those who have clout;
Many are caught

In a vicious circle without end
Obliged their shrinking funds to spend
On a boat trip where they have to fend
For life itself;
Overcrowded, out of sight
Unscrupulously packed in tight
They hope their future will be bright;
Strong, young, good health.

Freedom exacts a heavy price
Afghans and Syrians roll the dice
Pray hard and maybe roll it twice
Before they board
But in the Med the swell is strong
The journey can be harsh and long
For many people their swan song
Death untoward.

Malta and Italy complain
These immigrants have put a strain
On their resources and would feign
Leave them alone
Yet the survivors from the wreck
Bewildered, shivering on the deck
Know they’ve a rope about their neck
If they go home...

(c) Poet in the woods 2013