Puddles, Pagers and Politics!

It’s time once more to pen new thoughts

And paint the world with all its warts*

As exploding pagers** hit the news

And debates across the States confuse...

 

There’s Portugal - engulfed by flames

Central Europe – where it rains

So floods endanger myriad homes;

What a cataclysm of unknowns!

 

We should tread carefully, pay more heed;

Man’s life is in his hands, we read

But as I search for seeds of hope,

I dangle from a much-frayed rope!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* What Oliver Cromwell purportedly said in the 17th century when sitting for his portrait : "Paint me, warts and all!"

  ** In Lebanon

A Snapshot of Singapore

Discovered by the Portuguese

Near Malaya’s rubber trees

Singapore, this island nation,

A-buzz with Asian syncopation!

 

Sir Stamford Raffles’ trading post

Where now the Merlion acts as host

Once by the Japanese invaded…

Where the spice of life is traded!

 

Indians, Chinese and Malay

Enjoy prosperity today;

With GDP on lofty rung

What a long way it has come!

 

Bustling markets, Asia’s pride

Hub for travellers world-wide…

High-rise and high-tech, it can claim

 “Lion City” as its name!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

The Merlion in Marina Bay, Singapore

Portugal - what Green Light?

Last hope for Britons overseas

To cool their heels in offshore breeze

Along some peaceful foreign shore

But Portugal is green - no more.

Last minute warning - travellers’ plight

Mad scramble for an early flight

New COVID flare-up it would seem

Back to square one – quarantine!

 

Travel agents running scared

New volte face leaves them unprepared

Masses yearned for an escape …

 Left thwarted, it is hard to take!

 

The travel business can’t make plans

For holidays on golden sands

Delays and cancellations peak

And of jobs lost, let us not speak!

 

Mind you, this June is blessed with sun

Will south coast towns be overrun?

British phlegm is sorely tried

More dreams are washed up on the tide! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Portuguese Beach

Acqua Alta in Venice

Priceless treasures water-logged
San Marco Square mudstrewn and clogged
While gondolas bob on the waves
And tourists look on, stunned, amazed ...

Yet Acqua Alta comes and goes
Venice, no stranger to high flows
Keeps precious tomes on upper floors
While water swirls round tourist stores.

The lion of St. Mark observes
The Square - now fit for ducks, not birds!
This delta, once rich Island State
Was a trading nation in full spate.

Where the Doge, like Croesus, garnered gold
And merchants silks and spices sold
Till Magellan's sea route to the East
Made wealth to Portugal increase...

An UNESCO city now beset
By hoards of tourists, hopes unmet
Unable to stroll down main street
Without the challenge of wet feet!

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

The since 1987 UNESCO World Heritage property comprises the city of Venice and its l

agoon situated in the Veneto Region of Northeast Italy. Founded in the 5th century AD

Watery Thoughts

The shadows shorten – the sun climbs
The heat dissolves all thoughts of rhymes;
While walking to the shops I think
What would I not give – for a drink!

There's talk of drought in Belgium; really?
The water table drops quite clearly
The Walloon Region is too dry
What happens if a spark should fly?

In Portugal the forests burn*
Too many deaths; when will they learn
To build away from leafy glade?
Great scenery but early grave ...

Water - now known as «Blue Gold»
Brings life to crops, turns wheat to gold
But too much sunshine is a curse
Rain must quench Dame Nature's thirst ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2017



* Causing 84 deaths.