Scattered Thoughts

In Oslo, archer* on rampage

Will “Shot by arrow!” make front page?

What prompted this barbaric act?

Unsuspecting shoppers to attack …

 

At 90, Captain Kirk** appears

To travel boldly to new spheres;

Views from Outer Space appeal

No TV series this - it’s real!

.

Young couples in Australia moan

Few can now afford first home;

Container ships pile up, unloaded

Long Beach and L.A. have imploded!

 

In Rue des Bouchers, all is quiet;

No, Brussels isn’t on a diet

But its clientele was kept at bay

Due to protracted COVID stay…

 

Those boarded frontages look sad,

Lost, the “joie de vivre » they had;

We had it all once, for the taking;

Now, to a new world, we’re waking!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Rue des Bouchers, Brussels - 2021

* Espen Andersen Bråthen in Kongsberg - 5 deaths.

* William Shatner

Puzzlement

I am curious; Who reads my rhymes

Sparked by events inspiring lines

Which test the waters we wade through;

Who knows where we’re headed to?

 

Big Brother, Orwell’s stark creation*,

Unhindered, without hesitation,

Pokes his nose in private mails

And censorship, alas, prevails.

 

But the pen is mightier than the sword!

If we say something untoward

Some robot, unmanned, quite remote

Decides our ideas must not float!

 

Hence ‘free speech’ is a big misnomer

As a mysterious “Persona

Non Gratia” skims such texts when aired;

Democracy is running scared…

 

Despite restrictions, Poets dare

To voice what many want to hear;

The price they pay for this is steep

Oblivion and troubled sleep!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* 1984 published 1948 

COP et al.

Brussels, Sunday: centre ville

Vast demonstration, if you will

As thousands, pent up with frustration,

March with banners from North Station.

 

Foregoing many sunny pleasures,

The masses clamour for new measures

To curb the speed of climate change

An iffy challenge to arrange…

 

Huge vested interests are at stake;

The electric car has yet to make

Sufficient impact on shrewd minds;

Higher fuel bills, troubled times!

 

As queues at forecourts impact travel

Supplies for UK’s food unravel;

Will Russia Europe’s needs still meet?

Flights over Taiwan – source of grief…

 

Keen travellers can return in scores

As Sydney bravely opens doors;

While Melbourne, cautious, stays locked-down

So, it’s tough to get around!

 

Tense fierce debates in Glasgow loom

Will COP* bring hope or gloom?

Alas, we have no crystal ball;

Let's pull together, one and all!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* = Conference of the Parties

At Middleton - South Australia

‘Twixt Goolwa and Port Elliot lies

This destination with blue skies

On the Fleuriau coastline in S.A.

Where my little ones explore today.

 

Australia’s vast and rugged coast

(29,000 miles at most!)

Is uncrowded, colourful and wild:

What intrepid forays for a child!

With navy hat worn in the sun,

Thomas loves to climb and run

While Isabella, pink and pert,

Feels a pair of wings won’t hurt!

 

By muddy pools and crashing waves

Forgotten are the many graves

Of ships that never made these shores;

“Big Island” still these deaths deplores …

 

But at Middleton today it’s calm;

With parents keeping them from harm

An excursion planned, all four together

New idyll crowned with sunny weather! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Consternation!

Is this the thin end of the wedge?

The world in peril, on the edge

Of changes no one can reverse?

Huge demands on public purse!

 

Will demonstrations do much good?

There are so many things we should

Consider now: gas, heat and light:

No one wants a sharp cost hike!

 

Seven parties rule the Belgian Nation

So consensus causes consternation;

“Brol à la Belge !*” the daily cry

And yet, somehow, we all get by!

 

I cast my mind out for good news

Or, at least, some hopeful views

But much is mired in discontent:

The Church in France in tatters rent!

 

Glitches on our Facebook feed

Injustice, profiteering, greed;

Mismanagement at the controls

Mankind trembles … the bell tolls!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Typical Belgian complex muddle

Outage Outrage!

Hordes use Facebook to engage;

When it went dark, squeals of outrage

As the six-hour silence* bred much doubt

When employees also were locked out!

 

Some internal issue - or a bug?

With social media the new drug

With Instagram and WhatsApp, Guys,

The Facebook family runs young lives!

 

So, panic stations! Sweat and tears

As this fiasco fuels new fears

All untoward, we can’t connect;

Do gremlins rule the Internet?

 

This glitch of course makes headline news

As attempts to log on are refused;

Addicted to this box of tricks

Its users yearn for a quick fix!

 

Our giant, bless him, has clay feet!

Nerds around the world compete

To get their show back on the road …

We harboured thoughts all would implode!

 

This hiccup caused a wave of grief

Now billions breathe sighs of relief!

Today - no ripples on the screen

All back to normal, it would seem …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* 16-22h October 4th, 2021

A Local Disappointment

A hopeful date down Boitsfort way

Fun jumble* sale planned for today

Of items we no longer use

With hope new owners will enthuse!

 

As we lie on an occluded front

Poor Brussels often bears the brunt

Of this ever-changing weather

At events where people get together.

 

Near Wiener, street-plots are marked out

Where pre-loved items lie about

Desiring happy homes to find

At prices nobody will mind!

 

Long racks of clothes or once-read books:

A Brussels’ version of a souk!

Early punters should stroll past

In search of bargains spotted fast!

 

To make more space, cars must give way

Parking not allowed today

Our bus route** by the STIB curtailed

But so far, rainfall has prevailed!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Known locally as a Brocante

** The N°17