R.I.P. Sir Ken Dodd (1927-2018)

Liverpool comedy turns the page
Another great has left the stage
The drapes in Knotty Ash are drawn
Leaving the Diddy Men forlorn...

This entertainer, much admired
Never actually retired
But kept his public much enthused
With non-stop patter which amused!

A household name, Ken Dodd departs
Evoking sadness in our hearts
Gift of the gab, whose shows ran late
London Palladium's all-time great ...

Knighted by the Queen, Sir Ken
Still lived where he'd been born and bred
And surprised us once more when he wed
Two days before the sad news spread ...

Consummate star - enjoyed, applauded
With his 'Tickling Stick' recorded
May the BBC, just for a treat
His entertaining shows repeat!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018



Died March 11th 2018 - aged 90

It's Pyjama Day!

Of «Dress-down Friday» I have heard
But as trends go, it is absurd
To think that power dressing's dead
It's how we used to get ahead.

Think padded shoulders, pencil skirts
High-heels worn so high it hurts ...
Does the Fashion Goddess set us free
Is informality the key?

A new trend creeps in from the States
Which raises eyebrows and creates
Sartorial softness that surprises
«Pyjama Day»* in different guises.

No mention of the nightdress here
As that would go too far, I fear
But as most work through I.T. screens
Is this as daring as it seems?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* A fundraising event initiated in 2004

Shifting Sands

What's this I hear on radio
Politics in ebb and flow
Is North Korea in retrograde?
Should we call a Spade a Spade?

At the dizzy pace at which we go
Hope springs eternal as we know
Trump plans to travel there in May
Olympic summit underway?

Bold brinkmanship, new role of dice
Will a change of mood suffice?
Conflicting news bytes, cut-and-thrust
Time to let our rapiers rust?

We're at a turning point at last
The pundits ponder – what a task!
We hope and pray for better things
While guardian angels flap their wings ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Encounters: Trump/Kim Jong Un:
12.6.2018
30.6.2019

The B Word

How life changes; swear words too
«F» and «C» are crass and blue
But now it seems the truth is out
Brit politics has gained some clout.

The 48 percent who claim
Their place is firmly in «Remain»
Discuss with fervour on the Web
The U.K.'s future with some dread.

Confusion reigns at every turn:
Farm subsidies, Pay-As-You-Earn
Border and VAT controls
The Juggernaut of Misrule rolls...

As BREXIT causes blood to boil
Evoking angst, nerves in turmoil
It's now known as the «B» word, Folks
And become the butt of many jokes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

2026: the UK is RE-joining the Erasmus University Exchange Programme!

See-Sawing!

Heavy buzzing sound outside my door
Intrigued, I gazed out from first floor
In tree-cleft, outlined in low cloud
My neighbour - wielding chainsaw loud.

An event! I strolled out in the street
Where against the fence, not piled up neat
A criss-cross pile of branches lay;
More sunlight soon will come my way!

That's Nature for you - it runs riot
And blocks our vision on the quiet
So swaying gently, perched up there
My neighbour axes branches bare.

We exchange a greeting in the lane
Where weeds start growing once again
Despite the snow; if Spring comes late
Smart guy - free fuel to burn in grate!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Isabella - a Budding Rose!

In red-rose-onesie and red frill
My tiny niece is dressed to kill
Sophisticated yet so young
Ready for a catwalk run!

Sublime, serene and so at ease
Isabella charms birds off the trees
She lies relaxed, unfazed by lens
In no time she'll be setting trends!

At barely two months and a bit
With her vast wardrobe she's a hit
Auntie needs no invitation
To declare her - a sensation!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Jazz Band in Jeopardy!

Tervuren's roundabout's a blast!
Since 2005 cars rush on past
Concentric circles washed with spray
A finely choreographed display!

Behold Bandundu's Beastly Band!
Where Congo creatures prance and stand
Playing jazz while fountains flow
Tom Frantzen's* genius on show!

Though this fun artwork is well known
Friday** turned the scene to stone
The fountains froze hard in mid flow
A winter frieze few locals know.

What must those crocodiles have thought
With the saxophone a moment caught
By "Beast-of-the-East's" bold claws
Quite frozen solid out of doors?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Belgian sculptor born 16.11.1954



** 2nd March 2018: -6°C



Under normal circumstances