An April Smattering

A grisly cloud our sky anoints

April this year disappoints

Headline news in wild display

Assorted titbits on display:

 

Finland seeks NATO’s embrace

As Europe has a troubled face

Pope Francis breathless, caught a chill

But on Palm Sunday preaches still!

 

Banking wobbles with Swiss banks

Deregulation gets no thanks.

But Brussels features Bankys’ art

In Rue de Laeken, a fun start!

 

The STIB will soon increase its flow;

Bus and tram - the way to go?

 New budget of “austerity” …

More concerns for you – and me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Flags of Finland and NATO

Banksy Museum in 28, Rue de Laeken, Brussels

No Immunity in Turku!

Who still dares to watch the news
Or listen to the radio?
In crowded places, Europe-wide
Lurk terrorists – now in Turku!

Finland, northern land of lakes
Where Father Christmas crafts our toys
Rarely horror headlines makes;
Stays on the sidelines and enjoys

A peaceful lifestyle: skis and ships
Sibelius, Aalto, Nokia phones
Then suddenly the image shifts
Surprise attack – and more dead bones ...

Is nowhere safe? The threat remains
Fanaticism on the rise
Injustice many converts claims
Inured to death - who shatter lives ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2017

A World Poet?

The Internet keeps a full log
So every time I'm on my blog
I see people are on line;
This is happiness – big time!

Who's looking at my blog right now?
I've had Mozambique and Curaçao
Ghana, Germany, Japan,
China, Russia, Kazakhstan

Oman, Jamaica, Singapore,
Denmark, Chile, Ecuador
Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan
Israel, Egypt, Switzerland

Morocco, Ukraine and Slovenia,
Latvia, Laos, Greece and Kenya
Barbados, Belgium, Venezuela,
El Salvador, Brazil, Australia

Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait
United Arab Emirates
Belize, Spain, Sweden, Myanmar
Finland, Fiji, Panama

Malta, Norway, Argentina
Paraguay and Costa Rica
Zimbabwe, Zambia, USA
Peru, Tunisia, the UK

Malawi, Ireland, Macedonia
Turkey, France, Macao, Mongolia,
S.A., Sri Lanka, Netherlands
India, Seychelles and Thailand

Mexico, Philippines, Albania
Italy, Syria, Romania
Canada, Jersey, Hungary,
Bangladesh and Burundi

Vietnam, Palestine, Hong Kong
Saudi Arabia, Lebanon
And many others I've left out
Bad rhyming patterns, I've no doubt...

(c) Poet in the woods 2016

Note: January 2023 - 151 countries to date!

Convallaria Majalis/Lily-of-the-Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley – graceful bells
With a haunting perfume that soon sells
On roadsides, tied in twee bouquets
A traditional gift on first of May.

Known as “Mary's Tears” when Jesus died
Grief for her Son, the Crucified;
Used by the French on Labour Day,
In Kate Middleton's bouquet.

Yugoslavia's emblem long ago
Essential in “Diorissimo”
Sign of humility for some
As underground its rhizomes run ...

The national flower of all the Finns
As the return of happiness it brings
“Garden Merit” award by RHS*;
This flower inspires by its finesse.

Though sweetly-scented, please beware
It's poisonous so have a care
If ingested, stomach pains ensue
Blurred vision and red rashes too!

(c) Poet in the woods 2016

*RHS = Royal Horticultural Society



On May 1st, 1561, King Charles IX of France received a Lily of the Valley (or Muguets in French) as a lucky charm, and thereafter decided to offer one each year to the ladies of the court.....