Coin du Balai Street Party!

Once a year our street is closed;

Tables are laid out in rows.

Neighbours bring a plate or two

Impromptu brick-wall bar on view!

 

Inspiration has run riot

Vast food display; forget the diet!

A great chance to exchange warm chat

As COVID had restricted that…

 

The Committee has it neatly planned

With celebratory jazz band

Whose serenades are fun, upbeat

While under fairy lights we eat.

 

Piled-high dishes soon change places

As neighbours spot more friendly faces;

We raise our glasses, gorge on pie

Under this September sky.

 

Coin du Balai residents are blessed

At leafy, end-of-summer fest:

Proof positive a shared endeavour

Brings the locals here together!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Coin du Balai - Boitsfort

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.

Under the Clouds

What shall I write about today?

Terence Stamp* has passed away

A heartthrob of our younger years;

Meanwhile, Alaska** heightens fears.

 

Scattered snippets found on line

Which catch our eye from time to time

As fires*** rage in distant lands

And throw a spanner in our plans.

 

That’s it, you see, the Great Unknown:

Real life beyond our mobile phone

Which gives complacency a shake

With hurricane and strong earthquake.

 

We yearn for peace but invoke war

We try to even up the score…

High level meetings to take place

Where Doves and Hawks come face to face ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Terence Stamp (1938 - 17/8/25) who starred in Billy Budd, The Collector and several Pasolini films in the 1960s  - not to mention The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert ...

** Chosen for summit between DJT and VP

*** in Portugal, Spain, Greece and B.C. Canada

A Fishy Tale!

Dry summer, lack of rain – quick spark

However caused, leaves landscape stark

The fault of climate change, or worse

 With great demands on Public Purse.

 

Mild sun, no mists, Brussels is fine

But fires elsewhere flare up big time;

This B.C.* one no fault of man

Let’s see how the story ran…

 

An osprey dropped its fresh-caught fish

On voltage wire and watched it fizz

This caused a short and then a flame

The bird flew off – escaping blame…

 

The fish, well-cooked, without a sound

Its death unmourned, plunged to the ground

Unaware it caused a fire

Whose consequences would be dire…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* A bird dropping a fish onto a power line caused a brush fire in British Columbia, Canada. The fire, which was relatively small, was sparked by the fish, which had been dropped by an osprey, making contact with the power lines. The resulting embers ignited dry grass below. The fire department confirmed the osprey sustained no injuries. 

Greenwashing et al.

Laundry may get washed each week;

But of ‘greenwashing’*, who dares speak?

So much today one cannot trust

Spoon-fed posts can make brains rust!

 

Core beliefs are put on trial

Profit margins hide with guile!

Big Brother skulks on Internet

Environment concerns - shipwrecked!

 

What happened to old 'peer review'?

Who knows for sure what facts are true?

The business world, imbued with greed

Runs roughshod over human need…

 

Grim-minded Nature takes a stand

To teach us, she will flood dry land

Hence earthquakes rock our status quo:

Unite we must or down we go!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Greenwashing is the deceptive practice of making unsubstantiated or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company.

A Mixed Palette of News

Let’s think back; in the last few days

We have sweltered in heat haze

Riedlingen train crash – three souls dead

Cambodia/Thailand border – red!

 

Food trucks arrive on Gaza strip

Trump’s trade tariffs take a dip

Satirist Tom Lehrer’s passed

Ozzie Osbourne’s breathed his last…

 

True, friends on holiday, have fun

But for the rest of us, it’s rum

Now heavy rain cleans Monday’s slate

So, what have we to celebrate? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Notes: 27th July: S.W. Germany: Riedlingen train crash caused by overflowing sewage shaft which caused a landslide. 41 people injured.

Tom Lehrer brilliant US satirist, famous in 1950s-1960s (1928 - 26th July, 2025)

John Michael Osbourne, known as Ozzie, leader singer of heavy metal group "Black Sabbath" (1948 - 22nd July, 2025)

July 21st - some Reflections

On National Day, we felt the “drache”

But what is Belgium without splash?

Stands sprang up near Poelaert’s pile*

Hot frites enjoyed by rank and file!

 

The King’s traditional speech had bite

Reminder of the E.U.’s might;

How it’s more vital now than ever

For all of us to pull together …

 

The Police and Army did their stuff

We learn that these careers are tough!

The Cour des Comptes held Open Day:

Neoclassic splendour on display!

 

An impressive tank held kids in awe

Huge coastguard speedboat to explore…

Bold military bands played fast

As two giants glided past!

 

The Governmental year is done;

This country briefly beats as one;

Strict measures will require restraint …

Today, however, no complaint! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* The Lawcourts

Note: drache is Brussels slang for heavy rainfall

A Viking Victory?

Compassion fatigue wears us down

So, let us think of a new noun

Which I only learnt today

Apparently, it now holds sway!

 

Since Apollo seems to rule

COOLCATION - or a climate cool

Tempts tourists to more northern climes

So, Sweden features in my rhymes!

 

A gentle breeze, cruise down a fjord

Which hopefully one can afford

Provide a welcome change of scene

Where lush scenery stays green!

 

Let us forget the Viking raids

The dragon-on-the-prow parades

Invasions which brought language new

And fearsome tales of derring-do!

 

Today’s world is a different place

Harsh war zones the old replace;

Sun-worshipping is so passé

So let us keep our cool today!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Smurfmania!

What is dear Brussels coming to?

Peyo’s people born bright blue

Now known as Smurfs - are on parade!

Rihanna (Smurfette) has it made!

 

Down Mont des Arts police abound

Loudspeakers blare pulsating sound

While barricades halt tourist flow;

STIB buses don’t know where to go!

 

Smurf mini-cars parked on stone step

Round giant mushroom crowds collect;

A wide screen gives a bird’s eye view

Whichever way you look, it's blue!

 

The Manneken is not best pleased

His face now hidden when he pees

Swaddled in blue fuzz for hours

In Smurf costume he perspires!

 

King Albert stoic, on his horse

Observes this scene, par for the course

Surrealist to the nth degree:

Smurf debut film is a must-see!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

The Smurfs were created and introduced as a series of comic characters by the Belgian comics artist Peyo (the pen name of Pierre Culliford) in 1958, wherein they were known as Les Schtroumpfs.

King Albert on the Mont des Arts

The Everlasting Beach Boys!

Lead singer, bold and debonaire

With innovative lyric flair

Brian Wilson hit the spot

His ‘Good Vibrations’ is still hot!

 

Surfing, beaches, USA …

Epitomising dream heyday

Those handsome Beach Boys timed it right

With optimism at its height!

 

‘California Dreaming’, ‘Sloop John B’,

Foot tapping ‘Barbara Ann’ got me!

‘Twas another time and place …

America with sunshine face.

 

This hedonistic youth pulse - gone

But ‘Wouldn’t it be nice’ lives on

Still captured in a time-warp phase;

Today’s U.S. lives troubled days…

 

His shooting star long shadows cast

But we haven’t seen the last

Of Brian’s genius which still flows

My silent thought: "God Only Knows"…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Brian Wilson (1942- 2025) died June 11th,  aged 82

Shrinkflation!

More neologisms flood the Net;

This latest one I shan’t forget:

Shrinkflation, as the term implies

Is sneaky commerce, so be wise.

 

Food prices still appear unchanged

In products in our daily range;

But there’s less weight in same-size tins

The supermarket always wins!

 

Packaging by law must state

The exact contents on our plate.

So, labels tell the truth – worse luck:

Fewer goodies for our buck!

 

Money-saving is fake thrift;

I wonder if you get my drift?

Caveat Emptor*  reigns supreme

Price madness shatters Scrooge’s** dream! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Latin for Buyer Beware!

** Celebrated miser in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

To Bee or Not to Bee?

They say peace talks but does it, really?

World-leader parleys can be scary 

Resolving issues is no cinch

As neither side will budge an inch!

 

With such input – brains can’t cope

Even optimists lose hope ...

The Powers-That-Be play fast and loose

When what’s needed is - a truce.

 

Then Nature at Man takes a swipe

 Swiss avalanches Blatten blight;

Etna’s tourists trapped by fire;

Admit it, Folks – most news is dire!

The Press churns drama out each day;

With laptop shut, I walk away

Round leafy Boitsfort, where the bees

Cause a buzz and poets please …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Bee in elderflower bush ...

Glacier Visitation!

Vaud alpine glacier loses grip

As fate decreed that it should hit

A sleepy haven quite deserted:

Thus, human death toll is averted.

Nine million tons of rocks and snow

Engulf a village far below!

 Grim disaster* caught on screen

Turns muddy brown Swiss valley green…

 

One person unaccounted for…

Swelling lake on valley floor…

With debris its river dammed …

Global warming threat to hand!

 

Blatten – most of it destroyed;

Act of God? Insurance void?

Such avalanches shadows cast

Authorities must now act fast!

 

New homeless left to count the cost

As Mother Nature wins the toss;

A metaphor both apt and harsh

On tragedy in mountain pass …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* on 28th May, 2025

Aerial view of Blatten after the landslide

showing flooded Lonza river ...

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,

Grabbing Our Attention!

This tale by dear friend told to me;

Personal safety seems to be

No longer guaranteed, I fear

A word of warning – do take care!

 

“A stroll where local artists meet

Just weekend neighbours, happy feet

Until - attired in black with mask -

A thief emerged and held me fast.

 

From crowd he grabbed me unawares

I felt alone despite the stares

Of passers-by who stood their ground;

It happened fast, without a sound…

 

He tugged my necklace, but it held;

Shocked and startled, how I yelled!”

Report filed with Boitsfort Police;

Now commonplace – on the increase! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Note: this aggression made the Press!

Movers and Shakers?

Our world seems such a busy place

With millions swarming in rat race

That though retired, I sense the strain:

Politics runs on tight rein!

 

A certain chap, I name no names,

A slew of tariffs now proclaims:

Unease leaks onto Internet;

Our fragile status quo is wrecked…

 

Trips across The Pond are fraught

Vespucci* tourists are distraught;

The wind of change kicks up a storm

Harbinger of a darker dawn …

 

It’s hellish hard to keep on track

As life moves on – no turning back…

In Rome – behold! A leader new

A chance for Virgin points of view? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

*  Amerigo Vespucci (born 1454?, Florence, Italy - died 1512, Sevilla, Spain) was a merchant and explorer-navigator who took part in early voyages to the New World (1499 -1500 and 1501 - 02).

TikToK Censureship?

To forbid young kids to go on line

And enjoy some TikTok time

Before they reach ripe old fifteen?

This smacks of nightmare or pipe dream!

 

Ubiquitous - the mobile phone

(Great company when all alone)

Has penetrated modern lives …

I muse; without it who survives?

 

The Establishment is up in arms

Deep Fake and A.I. cause alarms

Young minds have need of common sense

Away from all on-line pretence.

 

But pervasive knowledge flows unchecked

Who knows what clickbait to select?

How should we staunch this  endless flow

Of nonsense? This, I’d like to know!

 

Yet Pandora’s box is open wide

So everyone delves deep inside;

But sans a filter, we are lost

As young ones may find to their cost!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

White Smoke Aftermath!

Let’s mix our metaphors again

Cardinals shuffle in fast lane

Black smoke from Sistine chapel rises …

Ballot votes can bring surprises.

 

All under eighty, 1-3-3

Scarlet-robed play wait-and-see

But in a mere two days ‘tis done

Robert Prevost is the one!

 

Post Francis no one had a clue

The winner spent time in Peru

Appointed to this sacred rank

We have common sense to thank.

 

In Chicago born and bred

Well-travelled, Augustinian-led

As Leo XIV he will reign

Bearing a reforming name!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Pre-Conclave Thoughts

I wake up; blank sheet – April skies

Would a raindrop walk be wise?

Spring green gets cracking at slick pace

Roadside knotweed fights for space!

 

In nature, as in life, it’s true

Humans hate a vacuum too

So, Roman Catholics feel alone

Faced, alas, with empty throne…

 

Meanwhile, Pope Francis lies in state;

While cardinals will soon debate

Who can fill those bright red shoes;

The rumour mill emits few clues…

 

The ‘under-eighties’ votes must cast;

The Catholic Church, evolving fast,

Knows spirituality will weigh

In the balance – but which way?

 

Small State - but influence worldwide

Mixed press (which cannot be denied);

How long before the ‘white smoke’ round?

Will he who wins abjure the crown*?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* aka tiara

Update: Robert Francis Prevost (born 1955) from Chicago was promoted to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024 and elected Pope on 8th May, 2025.

He will be known as Pope Leo XIV.

Vatican Vacancy

The Faithful so admired this Pope

To whom the conclave gave their vote;

His was an unexpected voice

But time has proved him a wise choice.

 

He showed great care for the world’s poor

Was to other Faiths an open door

He warmed the hearts of those he met

Pope Francis – we cannot forget.

 

On Easter Sunday he was there,

In Papal white robes and wheelchair.

Though faint of voice he blessing gave

Hosanna crowds made friendly wave!

 

But his health at eighty-eight

Was failing and had caused debate;

For five weeks it was touch and go

His recovery was slow.

 

Back from the clinic, hopes were high

Our Argentinian still seemed spry;

But this euphoria soon took flight

As his soul departed at first light.

 

Many, engulfed in deep sorrow,

Can pay their last respects tomorrow;

This good man will be much missed

Who will continue sacred tryst?

 

The Vatican must soon recall

Its Cardinals to voting hall.*

Of church reform there is great need

Rome’s shepherd must be up to speed…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* aka the Sistine Chapel