In the DreamTime!

This year rolls on - in fits and starts

But separations damage hearts;

COVID threats keep friends apart

Life trips on but loses spark…

 

On Skype and Face-Time we can go

And screen-converse, but well we know

That this makes I.T. tech firms flow,

And is, at best, a hollow show…

 

But think of it - how far we’ve come

Since telephones were Number One

With telex and H.D. T.V.,

With many on-line calls now “free”!

 

When we’re confined to our home base,

Less time is lost in mad rat-race

But is it stress-free? That I doubt...

Without our colleagues, we miss out …

 

Though many work long hours on line

In theory, Folks, we’ve more free time!

 How smart are those who scroll down screen

To sunny South Sea isles – and dream!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

A Never-Ending Task!

Flamboyant tree flares make me gasp

What more could an artist ask?

Russet red, deep ochre, yellow

A vibrancy which calms, makes mellow…

 

No photograph can quite convey

These magic views which banish grey;

What’s not to marvel? Golden rays

Add sparkle to our shorter days!

 

Pale ‘mists’ and ‘fruitfulness’ delight

John Keats captured autumn right!

 How Mother Nature spoils us all

With lush ripe berries on each stall…

 

Wild movement in the air disturbs

As falling leaves confuse the birds;

Our lawns, like carpets, must be swept

Yet every day more leaves collect!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Breaking Waves

Do we plunge into fourth wave?

This dratted virus* won’t behave

Gung-ho, it takes up precious room;

Perhaps we’ve dropped our guard too soon?

 

Invisible, it finds a way

To make our social lives decay;

Freedom-loving, we’re assailed

Constantly, routines derailed!

 

Though not the Black Death (which was worse),

It is acclaimed by all, a curse;

Many step out cloaked in fear

For some, what hope of Christmas cheer?

 

Meanwhile, these Autumn colours glow

And spoil us with their splendid show

Each nature walk affords us joy

Chasing out thoughts which annoy!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* COVID

Rhyme and Reason

Love’s magic fights to stay the course

With routine blunting its first rays

The trials we face, alas, perforce

Can waft cool winds on sunny days…

 

That life’s a trial is often said

Though blessed with moments of great joy

On eggshells one must sometimes tread;

Weird behaviour can annoy…

 

Tough challenges can hone our skills

We juggle free time and career

As golden moments still give thrills

And mean the world to those held dear.

 

The poet’s brief throughout all time

Is to make sense of our lives

In poignant and emotive rhyme;

With fingers crossed - our love survives!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

An Overnight Stay

We take for granted kith and kin;

That when we need them, they’ll be in

That always they'll be by our side

To calm life's sometimes bumpy, ride …

 

Our hearts seem eager to believe

That other Nations sometimes grieve

For loss of loved ones, but not us

Our long-lived Head of State* – a plus!

 

So, a newsflash stops us in our tracks

The royal mirror shows small cracks

In the wake of BREXIT and face masks

Health for the Queen is a big ask.

 

The status quo is an illusion

Uncertainties reign in profusion

‘The Sun’ has spilled the beans and so

We wonder what else we should know…

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Queen Elizabeth II (aged 95) was taken to King Edward VII's private hospital on 20th October, 2021 for "preliminary tests".

The Queen died on 8th September, 2022

 

The Human Condition

“Love’s all you need”, the Beatles said;

This trite refrain runs through my head

As I think of many in dire need

With only hope on which to feed …

 

As human beings, life is tough;

Some, of course, have quite enough

While others struggle, feel rejected,

 Are challenged, lonely, disconnected…

 

“Life isn’t fair!”, I hear you say;

But inequality today

Is blatant, global and unending:

To what future are we tending?

 

Our badly-treated world complains

With excessive drought and rains!

We’re out of whack and out of sync …

What will later ages think?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

I Don't Get It!

Lack of truck drivers causes stress;

What’s with this mad rush to possess?

With COVID-time to contemplate

Such buying frenzies fail to sate…

 

My two feet do not need more shoes;

Well-lit displays are just a ruse

To get us into fashion stores;

Do I rebel without a cause?

 

Light summer garb now cast aside

We wrap up warmly when outside

And nothing daunted, done by halves:

I turf out all my gloves and scarves!

 

My favourite woollens I can tell

Still soft and cosy, serve me well.

While long-sleeved roll-necks and blue jeans

Mean happiness on slender means!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021