Cornucopia on May 23rd

On this day: Ramilles* was won

Brave Joan of Arc’s **ideals undone

Tibet by China was invaded***

And plants by Linnaeus **** upgraded!

 

May 23^rd – short trivia list;

What other events have I missed?

The Internet fills knowledge gaps

And makes us wiser, Folks – perhaps!

 

Facts learned at school are now on line;

For today’s youth that is fine

But nothing beats our Memory Banks

No need for laptop check – but thanks! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Cornucopia - or the Horn of Plenty!

* 1706 - where the Duke of Malborough beat the French

** 1430 - Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians 

*** 1951

**** 1707 - Carolus Linnaeus Swedish botanist and explorer  was the first to frame principles for defining genera and species of organisms and to create a uniform system for naming them,

International Tea Day!

Seen on a Facebook post today:

A much-loved brew on proud display;

I speak in riddles once again

But do read on, and I’ll explain…

 

The International Day of Tea!

A May date* that will surely be

Commemorated round the clock;

Put on the kettle – make a pot!

 

Whether Indian or Chinese

Marco Polo** tried both these

The Silk Road traders brought it west

The “cup that cheers” remains the best!

 

Tea-clippers conveyed vast supplies

Soon fashionable, it still survives!

But British customs were ignored

So, Boston threw it overboard!***

 

In looseleaf form or square sachet

Aficionados love their thé

In mugs or dainty Chinese bowls

How it invigorates our souls!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* 21st May

** Venetian Marco Polo (1254-1324) - Grand voyager: 1271-1295

***The so-called Boston Tea party took place on December 16th, 1773

Pre-Christmas Thoughts

Warm sunny days are wreathed in smiles;

Australia’s otherness beguiles

“G’Day!” is a familiar sound

And tinselled buses snake through town!

 

Grampian mountains* - up in smoke;

The rush to buy gifts frazzles folk

But stress-free – with vast parking spaces

And aircon helps to cool our faces.

 

Rock lobsters, China-bound, resume

The embargo cannot end too soon!

Mounds of prawns form festive fare;

Brawls in Melbourne – sad deaths there …

 

Sports of all kinds flood the news:

Cricket, netball, ‘Walleroos’**;

"Muster Dogs" on outback ranges:

A TV hit how I find strange is!

 

As usual, I feel quite remote

As around me I take note

Of new points of reference

Daily life here - less intense ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* In the N.W. State of Victoria

* *The Australian Women's Rugby Team

Flying High!

Helium balloon in foreign space

Are we in a spying race?

The Cold War froze and died a death

Threat from afar? We hold our breath.

 

The Press gets wind (forgive the pun)

Surveillance fighters on the run

Montana watches it go by

Under an uncertain sky.

 

A slow glide drifts it down the coast

Caught in the radar, a bold ghost

With fear of fall-out, it rides high

Almost mocking, in the sky.

 

But its observers aren’t asleep

Shot down, it plunges in the deep;

Eastern voices make protest

In terms of brinkmanship – a test?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

News item:  "China ‘spy balloon’ signals the start of a new information cold war" ...

A Look-Back at 2022

 As the year draws to a close, it feels

Time to rewind top news reels

And think about what has occurred:

Good, bad, ugly - and plain weird!

 

New Belgian astronaut* in space!

Some Eurocrats have been disgraced

Regimes strict silence dissent  

Yet zero-COVID rules relent…

 

Most music now is streamed on line;

Should fireworks be banned this time

With heightened air pollution worries?

And what of Uri’s** fierce snow flurries?

 

Man has made progress, it is true

On vaccines, smart inventions too

But famine, war and lust for power

Still challenge us at every hour!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

* Raphael Liegeois, from Namur, on 24.11.22 

** Canton of Switzerland - in the Alps

On Party Politics

The talk revolves round Number 10

The ‘ins and outs’ are all but zen

Post Caribbean trip we hear

BoJo* bows out, won’t declare;

 

Hence, this remains a two-horse race**;

For deft cartoonists – a new face

Will soon feature on front page …

But all is unknown – at this stage.

 

Time was when Cameron*** took a chance

And led the Brits in BREXIT dance;

But, since our dear Queen’s demise,

Liz Truss is leader – a surprise…

 

No shining stars come into view

Worldwide charisma blesses few

While climate-driven demonstrations

Ignite the hearts of many Nations…

 

A united force is what we need

Not petty squabbles fed by greed

So, who will step up to the helm

And navigate our modest realm?

 

In China though, more of the same

Bold Xi Jinping grips tight his rein;

But in politics you never know

Who will come and who will go…

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Boris Johnson P.M. 2016-2022

** Rishi Sunak ran against Penny Mordaunt and was  elected new P.M. without a vote on 24.10.22

*** David Cameron PM 2005-2016

N° 10 Downing Street

 

Down to a T!

 Life is, as always, full of risk

We teeter on a precipice

As Taiwan, island in far sea

Hits the headlines, malgré lui …

 

Someone, somewhere, takes the lead

As chips* fulfill a worldwide need;

When politics rears up its head

Many sleep ill in their bed…

 

I speak in riddles once again:

This “global warning” causes strain.

Will ripples from this contretemps

Affect the status quo, ‘ere long?

 

This gentle word-play veils a threat

Which spreads its wings on internet …

This visit - cut-short it is true -

Stirs the bird’s nest soup** anew…

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* The world's cutting-edge, silicon semiconductor chips are manufactured in Taipei..

** an age-old Chinese delicacy

 

 

Vancouver - a Bird's Eye View

June promised sunshine and much more

But clouds hang dark on North Van shore;

While ski slopes show through wooded green

And impressive mountains loom and screen

 

The delta valley from blue skies;

Dramatic vistas of high-rise

From fish and logging long ago

Vancouver, hard-nosed, on the go.

 

With oriental influence strong

One is reminded of Hong Kong,

Vast parking lots at each big mall:

Cars are a must in city sprawl…

 

Here, wealth and prestige dominate

So, no surprise - shops open late!

But parks and gardens calm lost souls

Whose hearts are set on higher goals.

 

To avoid the rush hour, work on line;

From upper floors – sunsets divine!

This city is the place to be

When you’re on holiday – like me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Down town Vancouver

A Mood Piece

Blue skies and sunshine; is this spring?

Though frosty world news is still grim

Hurried talks in many places

Attempting to kick over traces…

 

The parallels are not exact

Para-Olympians* distract

Some Nations sit upon the fence

But overall, the mood’s intense.

 

Time once again for crystal ball

As stocks and shares are in free-fall

There’s much hot air and talk of gas;

The French have just the word:  impasse!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* XIII Paralympics  Winter Games in Beijing 4-13th March, 2022

Fanfare for the Tiger!

Year of the Tiger, bold and brave

Exorcising evils from his cave

Known for wild spirit, power and pride

His advent may be a rough ride!

 

Third zodiac sign of Chinese beasts

Today, Feb 1^st, his “birthday” feast;

Now centre stage, he ups the pace

We admire, but fear, his tawny face!

 

Upsets and tumults lead the way

While this noble beast holds sway!

But his element is H20

Perhaps this bodes a steady flow…

 

I imagine him with head held high

Observing all with practised eye …

Will his presence rock the boat?

World politicians, please take note!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Feb 1st, 2022 -  Jan 21st, 2023

A Slew of Fiascoes!

Life’s a rough ride, we’re at sea

As COVID will not let us be

Used by the Swiss, quite down to earth,

To give the Beijing Games* wide berth.

 

'Party' politics at Number Ten

Still rumble on for Brit P.M.**

Tsunami chaos*** overnight …

Yet news side-lined on Tonga’s plight!

 

Our priorities have all gone west!

Journalists report unrest

As East-West leaders weigh in, bold

We wonder - is the Cold War cold?

 

Troops deployed like game of chess

As power lurks in one man’s breast …

We must tread carefully, take things slow

Who knows how the wind will blow?

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Beijing Winter Olympics: 2-22 February, 2022

** Boris Johnson

*** The tsunami hit Tonga on 14th January, 2022

 

COP et al.

Brussels, Sunday: centre ville

Vast demonstration, if you will

As thousands, pent up with frustration,

March with banners from North Station.

 

Foregoing many sunny pleasures,

The masses clamour for new measures

To curb the speed of climate change

An iffy challenge to arrange…

 

Huge vested interests are at stake;

The electric car has yet to make

Sufficient impact on shrewd minds;

Higher fuel bills, troubled times!

 

As queues at forecourts impact travel

Supplies for UK’s food unravel;

Will Russia Europe’s needs still meet?

Flights over Taiwan – source of grief…

 

Keen travellers can return in scores

As Sydney bravely opens doors;

While Melbourne, cautious, stays locked-down

So, it’s tough to get around!

 

Tense fierce debates in Glasgow loom

Will COP* bring hope or gloom?

Alas, we have no crystal ball;

Let's pull together, one and all!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* = Conference of the Parties

New Moves in Chess!

The one-child policy enforced;

Abortions - often girls - out-sourced

With males preferred, a dearth of wives

So, many men led lonely lives.

 

To bring new joy to village houses

Men seek abroad for bright young spouses;

As the drudgery of hard times past

Recedes with business growing fast.

 

This high-tech boom becomes a race

And China, fearing loss of face

Decrees the workforce needs more hands

For its brand-new ‘silk route’ plans.

 

Yet one into three won’t go;

The People’s feeling is, that no,

More children will upset the scales

With all the costs that this entails.

 

With life and living standards changed

Can people’s lives be re-arranged?

Like chess, some moves remain unseen,

Many pawns, and just one queen …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Developments - Bad and Good!

Northern Ireland - headline news!

BREXIT evokes violent views:

Stones are thrown, bus set on fire

The frontier problem remains dire …

 

Hong Kong dissidents debate,

Should they plan to emigrate?

As Mamma China claims her chick

Will British passports do the trick?

 

I look outside; no sign of snow

Where did those April blizzards go?

Doubts on the vaccine still pervade …

While seedlings perk up and parade

 

In my terracotta pots

As opportunity now knocks!

Safe inside, kept in the warm

My Love-in-a-Mist is born!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

A Glimpse of China

Gunpowder, paper, seismographs,

The art of tea, silk-woven crafts

Chinese culture can attest

Creative prowess at its best.

But what a country of extremes:

Whose one-child policy* now seems

Misguided; where are Chinese brides?

So much on its future rides …

 

I went there once, decades ago;

The Forbidden City proud to show

Vast Halls of Peace, Celestial Sky

Which so impressed my Western eye.

 

Imperialism - small, bound feet …

Wow! Hong-Kong stop where West-East meet;

Now chutzpah player on Internet

Tradition jostling with high-tech …

* One-child policy: 1979-2015

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

  

End-of-Year Review

In this wishy-washy time between

What is to come, and what has been

We let our hearts and minds look back

On how this year has gone off track.

 

A virus leak from Chinese lab

In “other news”, did not seem bad;

As feared Ebola had not spread

And each slept safely in their bed.

 

This time, the leak became a flood

What seemed at first a poisoned bud

Blossomed into worldwide threat

Ensnaring all lands in its net.

 

The travel industry declined

Culture in all forms was stymied

Health professionals bore the strain

A sort of Black Death once again.

 

Man likes to think that he’s evolved

And all such problems have been solved

But COVID puts him in his place;

How fragile is the human race!

 

Nostradamus was at pains

To foretell in brief quatrains

Pandemics that lay far ahead

But who believed his sharp street cred?

 

The rich and famous weren’t immune

Many sportsmen gone too soon

World leaders mask-less, caught the bug;

So, now we must beware a hug!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

Nostradamus:  French philosopher & physician: 1503-1566

 

Phase 4 Takes Hold!

For night owls, Phase 4 is no lark

No flights of fancy after dark!

All restaurants have closed their doors

No alcohol from late-night stores…

 

Private parties risk a fine

Get-togethers a new crime

Revels of all sorts curtailed

Nocturnal lifestyles soon derailed.

 

As angry Youth fails to comply

The virus cries out “Here am I!”

All suffer in this murky pool

As some groups will not heed the rule.

 

Disrupted, destitutions loom

The old confined to lonely room

The Nation’s workforce, forced on line,

Feels isolated, lost – big time!

 

We miss all contact with our friends,

Debate with passion these harsh trends

Our personal freedoms on the rack

Our Governments besieged by flak...

 

Invisible the threat, though real

Does China now our future steal?

Their GDP is rising fast

And Europe, helpless, is aghast!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

WHO is Next?

July 2020: weather – fair
We live in a hushed atmosphere
More freedom, yes - but clinging fear
As COVID lingers in the air.

Out and about - some masked, some not
Careless people lose the plot
Summertime means outdoor fun
No one thinks they'll be the One ...

The virus harks back to December
The Chinese all kept coy – remember?
And what about the W.H.O.
Which sadly couldn't staunch the flow?

Our most precious gift is health
Stolen from us now by stealth
The race speeds up to find a cure
But how long will the wait endure?

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

WHO = World Health Organisation

On Pangolins, Mothers and Golf

The magic month of May inspires
Despite the hailstorms and sharp showers
A slow easing of restraints
Amid a groundswell of complaints ...

What would Ma Pangolin now think
As lock-down opens just a chink?
Kayaking is now allowed
As is golf – but not a crowd.

No Concours* concerts Place Flagey
All piano players kept at bay
Foreign talents want to shine
And so they will – but not this time!

New moods surface – take Ennui
We can't go where we want to be
Trapped by an enemy unknown
Within four walls with just a phone!

A short escape on bike, or walk
Without a friend with whom to talk
Somehow loses its appeal
Solitude is a big deal...

May's second Sunday – Mothers' Day**
Florists gear up to make hay
Warm family time with Mum as guest ...
But no, it's cancelled - like the rest ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2020

* Concours Reine Elizabeth
** Mothers Day (B) 10th May, 2020




Scaly anteaters/pangolins - vectors of Virus?

23rd April - World Book Day!

Parchments, codex, palimpsets,
Rolled-up scrolls with ancient texts
An invention, pre-Christ, by Chinese
Paper - made from cloth and trees!

Our recorded history takes shape
Replacing cuneiform and slate;
What magic in the written word
Think Dead Sea scrolls and hearts are stirred!

Reading feeds and cheers our minds;
Understanding well-formed signs
Allows us humans to explore
The thoughts of those who've gone before.

So, on this day in Ninety-Five,
«World Book Day» truly came alive
Now round the world we celebrate
The joy of books that make life great!

(c) Poet in the woods 2020



Dead Sea Scrolls