From Nepal to Norway ...

I’m flattered when you find my blog!

The Internet maintains a log

Of all the countries that alight

Perhaps, by chance, on what I write…

 

I keep a handle on world news

But carefully avoid strong views

As you must make up your own mind;

Poets do try to be kind.

 

But it is clear the world’s a mess!

Disasters of all types cause stress;

Witness flooding in Nepal*

Where Man can't take the blame at all!

 

Poor country, where the living’s hard;

Hapless souls now deeply scarred;

Survivors faced with mud display

As fragile homes are washed away…

 

Wars rage on – a truce is sought

But selfish interests lead to nought

Young lives, full of promise, die

While petrol prices leap sky-high!

Death comes to stars** and kings alike;

Norway’s King Harald** *died last night …

The world we loved and knew, departs

Before us now – a new game starts!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Over 2000 deaths on night of 26-27.8.2026

** i.e. Dolly Parton aged 80, who died on 25.8.2026

*** King Harald V of Norway, aged 89, who died on 27.8.2026

He is succeeded by his son King Haakon VIII

Whose Turn to Move?

Politics – like chessboard pieces

Where tension with each move increases;

The Board across the world extends;

It happens - friends and foes change ends…

 

Glued to news broadcasts every day

We marvel at bold stakes in play;

Fast moves may focus on new goals

For whom, we wonder, the bell tolls?

 

The field is wide, new partners join;

Poised to act on flip of coin?

The driving force – no loss of face

The unexpected – commonplace…

 

That life’s a tightrope – no surprise;

Chess is a tricky enterprise!

Too many pawns – a brace of kings…

We wait to see whose karma wins!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2026

As November wanes ...

November dies in wind and mist

Though sometimes falling leaves are kissed

By ragged rays of autumn shine

Pre-Christmas shoppers out – big time!

 

The wars continue – peace talks stale

Hong Kong fireball* leaves black trail

Floods* in Thailand’s south claim lives …

But Hope, amazingly, survives…

 

Mismanagement, neglect, or Fate?

Disasters still accumulate

On-line news beeps in our phones

No privacy – just think of drones…

 

Conspicuous consumption peak

As Black Friday lasts all week!

I opt out – I forego mainstream

I watch the leaves fall and I dream …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Both events happened on 26th November, 2025 with extensive loss of life ... 150 people died in Hong Kong.

72 Hours of Strikes?

Is Brussels still “The-Place-to-Be”

Where individuality is key?

Each soul strives in his own way

Life’s tricky game of chess to play!

 

Three days of strikes in bitter cold;

So, Christmas gifts remain unsold

As shopping trips are now curtailed;

Our normal life has been “derailed”.

 

Some metro, bus and trams still run

Check STIB’s website for each one …

But pickets may disturb our day:

Familiar moan about poor pay …

 

Meanwhile, cold rain means soggy views

Adding to today’s sad news…

As drawn-out, forthright talks persist

With peace encumbered by high risk… 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

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

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 ...

April 6th - a Meditation

April 6^th – and it’s still cold

Though daffs and aconite unfold

Their golden loveliness with pride;

I shiver as I step outside.

 

How can I cheer you all today,

As politics is dressed in grey?

I muse; how was it, years ago?

Perhaps my memory is slow…

 

King Death roams in disparate places

The Middle East put through its paces …

But each day offers a new slate!

We can choose to love - or hate;

 

Ripe age brings wisdom, old folks say;

So, as Spring sports its best display

And social media causes stress,

Perhaps a walk in sun is best …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Flowering Aconite 

The Political Seesaw ...

Protection and free trade ignite

Polemics worldwide; we sit tight

As worried Macron holds the reins

All this, our nervousness explains.

 

A new riddle by this Bard

(Who finds that politics are hard;)

The stakes are high – we’re on the fence

Must we now finance our defence?

 

War is such an ugly word

But given now what has occurred

There is a joker in the pack

So sadly, there’s no turning back…

 

“If you want peace, prepare for war”!

Old Julius Caesar knew the score;

Each generation finds it tough

Once more, our ball rolls in the rough…

 

Will the power of words persuade?

We’re crisis-ridden and afraid;

Uncle Sam and Russian Bear

Flex their muscles – so beware!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Musing at the Cenotaph

The cenotaph – an empty tomb

In which a Nation’s lost souls bloom

A poignant symbol all agree

Of futile deaths in lands called “free” …

 

Signed Treaties reneged, then unkept;

Countless widows who have wept;

Man’s failure to maintain the peace

Reminds us War is on long-lease…

 

Conflicts blight our news today:

Heartless drones the bold, smart way!

Though pretexts vary down the years

Every time we shed more tears …

 

At stake – vast oil or water deals

Land acquisition, faith ideals.

So, Injustice furls its banner high

War ignites and brave men die …

 

Global warming’s a rough ride!

“To love one’s neighbour,” we should strive

But sadly, human nature’s flawed

It’s simpler to gird up our sword! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London

Under Pressure ...

The pressure mounts, world tension rises

From Middle East come bad surprises;

Dried up is that pool of calm

Our ‘qui-vive’ blocked in mode ‘alarm’.

 

Does life, dear Readers, still make sense?

I would not wish to cause offence

But everywhere the newsreels turn

Lie harsh lessons we must learn…

 

Injustice, violence and crime

Upset our joie de vivre – big time

Horrors roll out and increase;

Where can poor souls now find peace?

 

Good news rarely makes the cut;

As fear and drama and bad luck

Beset our human kind in waves

Conclusion: no one now behaves…

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

This Time of Trial

What a year it’s been – all fits and starts

Disasters  - causing broken hearts

As climate change comes to the fore;

Old Greek God Ares threatens war…

 

Ukraine’s young people bear the brunt

Of Man’s folly at the Front;

In Venezuela tension rises

As land disputes provoke grave crisis...

 

So, I conclude good news is rare

With ideals crumbling everywhere

As Injustice, Poverty, Starvation

All make unwelcome visitation.

 

The poet on the sideline stays

With saddened but perceptive gaze

Reflecting on life’s ups and downs;

How hollow Christmas cheer now sounds …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

 

Trying to Make Sense

I can’t help wondering WHO you are

Or where you hail from – near or far?

But gee, it’s great you come on line

And pause awhile to read my rhyme!

 

You’ve no doubt noticed I speak plain,

And from a vested stance abstain

But still, I try - and don’t we all? -

To make sense of life’s rolling ball!

 

Observing climate change is rough;

Understanding politics is tough;

Reporters’ noses to the ground;

Let’s face it, is news media sound?

 

So, status quo? There’s no such thing

A change in mood means hefty swing

With old alliances forgot

Enemies now tie the knot …

 

Moves on this chequerboard advance

Pawns tend to lead a merry dance

The game, alas, in parlous state;

Outsiders on the qui vive quake…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Juggling the News

I never know who reads my stuff;

These quirky thoughts, straight off-the-cuff

Just try to bring light to your day

As on-line news is often grey.

 

Politics, or rule by some,

Means looking down a smoking gun

While days and days of torrid heat

Mean a sea breeze is a treat!

 

Five millionaires get lost below.*...

Glastonbury’s famed rock show

Vibrates with life as Elton John**

Still wows his audience with song!

 

We plough through niggles that annoy …

It’s peaks and troughs, despair and joy;

Let’s try to make sense of the bits

In life’s jigsaw – pick and mix!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Implosion of the OceanGate Titan Submersible on Journey to the Titanic on 18th June, 2023

** aka Reginald Dwight

Let's Dis-Stress Ourselves!

Time flies when you’re having fun

Or trying hard – to get things done

Days lengthen but free time is short

Interruptions? Pause for thought!

 

So, you wonder – must I work away

And achieve all tasks – today?

Is this deadline cast in stone

Or can I put it off – by phone?

 

Relentless I.T. – constant pressure

Weekends fly by without leisure;

Like when we scan the on-line news:

Stressful war “games” don’t enthuse …

 

Is constant change our daily lot?

More red tape - as like as not

All now seems on nerves to grate;

Bears are right – let’s hibernate!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

 

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

Bali Parlays

Perhaps I should forego the news

Too much hype and trenchant views…

We try to keep on even keel

But this new bumpy ride is real;

 

Take Bali, that idyllic isle

Known and loved for its warm smile.

At 3 a.m. much lies at stake

As fear grips statesmen who awake

 

On the brink of war, (mistake?)

With two sad deaths in Polish State

Is Peace in Europe wafer-thin?

When will Common Sense wade in?

 

Bi-lateral pow-wows soon take place

The Common Good - still in the race;

We tiptoe, teeter, hold our breath:

War brings only loss and death!

 

Danger over? Are we sure?

Just what was NATO set up for?

We ponder on this latest drama

Hoping to avoid more trauma …

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

World Kindness Day

Facebook brought me up to speed:

World Kindness Day! Just what we need

With so many in despair

As this is one helluva Year.

 

The “Special Operation” cloaks

Horrors for so many folks

While COVID lingers in the wings …

Eternal roundabouts and swings.

 

Late sunshine may serve as a warning

A new and scary world is dawning

But Mid-Term outcomes offer hope

That Common Sense is still afloat!

 

COP 27: Sharm El-Sheikh

What direction shall we take

As climate change is no mirage

The question is – how to take charge?

 

Uncertainty – our human lot

Are we responsible, or not?

World leaders have a role to play

As kindness goes a long, long way …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Of course, every day should be kindness day!

A Basic Instinct!

Are your feet on shaky ground?

When you wake, does your heart pound?

Worried that your hard-earned cash

Is not enough to cut a dash?

 

With hyped-up fuel costs, food bills high

How many of us won’t get by?

The War* drags on, the outlook’s drear

The ghosts of poverty draw near …

 

Now ghouls and witches concoct plans

To parade in Christian lands

As Halloween looms into sight

With  cries of ‘trick or treat!’ at night…

 

An epitome of all our fears

A shaky, mirror-world appears

As children, masked and kitted out,

Confront confusion without doubt.

 

Yet, when we’re older, are we wise?

Humans still lead fragile lives …

The Bogey Man may change his form

But always, always – is re-born!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* in Ukraine

Bridging the Gap

I like to keep my subjects light

But frankly these days one must fight

To find a theme with golden shine

As news is murky, caked with grime…

 

I ponder on the Queen’s long reign;

We shall not see her like again

Our monarchy is tempest-tossed

With her influence now lost.

 

A ‘slimmed down’ Court - the way to go?

Wills steps up with dice to throw;

Do robes and ceremonies sway?

What role can Kings and Princes play?

 

By birth, they sit on top of heap

Their lives in full view and effete

Or dogged by scandal, which is worse

And all paid out from Public Purse!

 

Charles III cipher - now in place

Banknotes soon will show his face;

New-minted coins will come on stream

And Christmas stamps with Charles will beam!

 

Though Royalty can’t stop the rot

Climate change is not forgot;

As fuel costs rise and bridges* burn

Not even Kings know where to turn …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* In Crimea ...

Cypher of  King Charles III

Posturing ...

From many quarters come loud cries

Out in the open – no disguise

Is nuclear winter on its way?

Tenterhooks are back in play!

 

Chat-chat and jaw-jaw down in Prague

Resolve nothing; we’re ill-starred

The atmosphere is getting tense;

Against such folly – no defence.

 

Since Nagasaki brought War’s end

In high drama, Nations tend

To rattle sabres, scream and shout

And let reservists fight it out…

 

Satan’s weapon primed - in check

But mass destruction stays a threat!

As Fall-Out – real and metaphor

Could be a step too far - and more …

Poet in the woods 2022