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!"

  

Happiness - Brief Encounters!

Who reads my stuff? I’d like to know;

It’s like life - with ebb and flow;

Some days many find my page

As my little thoughts engage …

 

Some news event means I am read

As I hit the nail upon the head!

My readers like a poet’s take:

An alternate piece of cake!

 

Our world’s in turmoil; Man’s neglect

Means storms* do more than make us wet;

They flood our senses and make way

For front page horror scenes each day!

 

The sun shines, though it’s cooling down

Autumn, with its burnished crown,

Means darker evenings by the fire

Where my poems may inspire.

 

But who you are and what you do,

Puzzles me – perhaps you’re new …

Your stopping by my blog means much

As somehow, briefly, we’re in touch!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

* News flash: Romania, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, southern Germany, and parts of Austria have all been hit by heavy rainfall (Storm Boris) in recent days, with up to 45cm falling in some parts causing devastating floods in many parts of the region.

Celia Johnson in the 1945 film "Brief Encounter"

On the Good Ship Google!

Couch potato travel can be fun
But atlas days are sadly done
We boot up keyboards, a few taps
And bingo! We're on Google maps!

Around the world in just one spin
From neighbours' houses – neat and trim
To distant relatives aboard
Near rock-strewn beach or temperate sward!

Zoom to Kratatoa - Sunda straits
Just two clicks is all it takes;
Vancouver Island, seen by Drake
Or Black Sea coast where Russians wait ...

The Dark Continent is vast
Wow! Deserts are encroaching fast
Built-up L.A., or the Dead Sea
Australia's heart – too hot for me ...

Constantia – exiled Ovid's home
Where his statue is well known
Or Egypt's delta – lush and green;
An instant world view on my screen...

All these treasures near to hand
From Arctic North to barren sand ...
Sometimes I think that everywhere
Can best be seen from my armchair!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

R.I.P. Spider-Man (1922-2018)

In Manhattan, Upper West Side, born
He saw the Great Depression spawn
Unemployment, lack of funds
In a Nation suffering from the glums.

This prolific writer ran
With characters like Spider-Man
Whose Red-and-Blue form hit the screens
And fired up many children's dreams

Exciting plots flowed from his pen:
Dare Devil, Iron Man, X-Men,
Captain America, Doctor Strange
Formed his most amazing range.

Excitement promised on the cover
A world of action like no other
His complex story lines inspired
His artists to keep pace, though tired!

Son of a Romanian refugee
Known by the public as Stan Lee*
He's left us now - aged 95
But his genius comic books survive!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Born Stanley Martin Lieber on 28th December, 1922



Spider-Man created 1962

Expanding Horizons - May 1st, 2004

The first of May. Another day?
But no - we go
From 15 to 25 at one go.
The Union opens up its gates
To ex Iron Curtain States.
The world is turned upon its head
These politicians make their bed
It's now too late to change the sheets
Let's hope new partners' sleep is sweet.
Fireworks, hot air balloons, parades
What's done is done and memory fades
We've half of Cyprus - is that wise?
Hungary and Latvia - no surprise.
And valiant Malta with George Cross;
Slovakia's also won the toss.
Catholic Poland, Lithuania
Still on the list - Romania*.
The Czech Republic: "Welcome Prague!"
Say Ljubljana - it is hard.
Slovenia, you're not on your own-ia
We must not forget Estonia.
That wraps it up - but what a laugh
I make it twenty-four and a half!

(c) Poet in the woods 2013

* Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU on Jan 1st, 2007.

BREXIT! Great Britain left the EU on January 1st, 2021