What Next?

Monday dawns in pale-blue mist

I punch the air with angry fist

As the erstwhile “nip” becomes a “bite”;

Donning thermals now seems right!

 

Did Glasgow’s COP* wield clout?

Carbon footprints aren’t ruled out;

Of fossil fuels, let us not speak

New declarations - stark and bleak…

 

The poet feels, at times like these,

We cannot see the woods for trees;

A major re-think is required:

Yet, no leaders seem inspired …

 

Rome was not built in a day;

Yet we hesitate to do away

 With cosy lifestyles fuelled by greed

Though we buy more than we need …

 

But global warming is no joke;

Greenhouse gases will provoke

Drought, crop failure, famine, fear

Which seem to worsen, year on year …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* COP 26

Isabella - in Uniform!

Parents - caught in daily whirl

Observe in fleeting snaps their girl

While Brussels Auntie, blessed with time,

Encapsulates it all in rhyme!

 

Pale wisps of fragile dreams give birth

To thoughts of school – more down-to-earth;

At nearly four, dressed cute in blue,

Isabella now leaps through

 

Another hoop, and gently passes

From insouciance – to classes

New band of playmates hove in view

Attired like her in royal blue!

 

Soon Kindy* rules will be enforced

Character-moulding times, of course!

She’ll have to take turns, learn to share

And hold her own, with Mum not there!

 

Yes, a new rite of passage looms!

A learning curve for gentle blooms

It’s here the “Three Rs” will be taught;

On hand - big brother for support!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Eden Hills Kindergarten in South Australia

At the Crossroads

How we would like a life of ease

Away from scandal, greed and sleaze

Yet, barraged by vast media hype

Do we consider what is right?

 

Engulfed these days in deep malaise

Where the superficial plays

A major note in life’s long theme;

We’ve lost the plot; know what I mean?

 

Dark shadows in our mind’s eye play

We chase chimeras, lose our way,

Are ‘talking shops’* the way to go?

The hunt for votes makes progress slow …

 

Autumn, meanwhile, glows with gold

Amazing views, ours to behold!

We meditate - how life is short;

Must all this beauty come to nought?

 

We’re buffeted in life’s fast flow

What lies ahead we cannot know

But survival means a brand-new trail

So, will Common Sense prevail?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* i.e. COP 26 ...

The Fall

Do watch your step! These fallen leaves

Are slippery and Nature grieves;

We sweep them up but every day

Breezes scatter more our way!

 

The atmosphere this autumn - tense

Politicians on the fence

Our planet cries out to be saved:

Myriad good intentions waived …

 

Participation – you-know-where …

Some countries absent – so beware!

Top brass and entourage make moan;

An aide-mémoire:  the world’s on loan!

 

Bites-of-the-apple: twenty-six*

In many fields - so much to fix

In essence we must pull together:

Just another dream endeavour?

 

Today’s youth are concerned and care

Will the cupboard soon be bare?

Yet many lobbies plump for gain 

To perpetrate their gravy train ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

*COP 26 Glasgow - 1-12th November, 2021

 

R.I.P. Lionel Blair (1928-2021)

Celebrities we used to know,

Who made an impact, come and go;

Many forged a household name

With screen, TV or West End fame.

 

Canadian born, tap dancer rare

I speak today of Lionel Blair,

Who entertained and danced on stage

And liked to lie about his age!

 

In the Seventies his star was strong

Seen in “The World of Suzie Wong”,

Then cameo in “A Hard Day’s Night”

With Beatlemania at its height!

 

Energetic, entertaining, cool

 A performer very much old school

His savoir-faire slick and admired

But at 92 – was he retired?!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Born: Henry Lionel Ogus on 12th December, 1928

Isabella Tries to Wing It!

Auntie, once again bemused,

Admires her wee niece who’s enthused

By wonderful and pretty things

And won’t set out without her wings!

 

Round Mum’s apron strings she goes

As toddlerhood draws to a close …

Our Boadicea wields some clout

And loves authority to flout!

 

Allowed for now to dance in pink

She’s unaware she’s on the brink

Of a world where rules apply

And fairy wings must be put by!

 

In this new stage, school will be key

And uniforms may have to be

Worn so pupils look the same;

Methinks this rebel will complain!

 

No angel, Isabella tries

To be the centre of all eyes

This sense of style, in one so young:

A certain sign of life to come!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

In Triplicate

Sad news never comes alone

But makes our hearts sink like a stone;

Two kind men whom I used to know

By anno domini laid low…

 

Then a dear friend in brief call

Says she is not well at all;

COVID-diagnosed so she

Warns all friends to cautious be.

 

We wear our masks, do what is right

To keep at bay this evil sprite

And yet, despite our utmost care,

It hangs around in autumn air…

 

The helter-skelter of our lives

Makes us careless; no surprise

This semi-freedom now allowed

Means danger lurks in every crowd …

 

We long to strut our stuff outside

Live as before, enjoy the ride

But now is not the time, I fear

In choppy waters we still steer …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021