Pulling the Wool Over our Eyes?

We celebrate on, now-fixed, days

Circumstances that amaze;

Today is Christmas sweater day:

Bright jingle bells and Santa’s sleigh!

 

See snowmen, reindeer, festive fare

Presents, gift-wrapped with great care,

Much red and white and holly green

Perhaps a star-lit winter scene …

 

In dubious taste, or work of art?

On cold evenings many start

To knit wool jumpers with a will

Treasured, made with love and skill.

 

A mass-produced, kitsch shop-design

For a bad-taste party is sublime;

Yet, when this champagne-joke wears thin

Will it end up in the bin?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Note: Christmas Jumper Day started in 2012.

Spinning Out of Control?

It’s hard to know just what to write

As horrors pile up on our plate:

Farmers in Wallonia strike

Tornadoes* bring death in their wake…

 

Gas and water bills will rise

While supermarkets make a killing

Who still makes their own mince pies?

Yes, Brussels Christmas lights are thrilling!

 

Floods make conduits overflow

As winter walks are marred by rains

The River Senne’s not “nice to know”

And yet, I hear, there are more trains!

 

We dress up in our winter gear

And make our shopping forays brief

We look back on this muddled year

Hoping soon to turn new leaf!

 

So many freedoms are forsworn

Event and theatre plans are wrecked

Everywhere masks must be worn;

We cross our fingers and reflect…

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Many deaths recorded in Kentucky, USA on December 11th, 2021 ...

 

2021 - The End Game

We approach the tail end of the year

In trepidation and low gear,

As travel is not hassle-free;

For some – home stays the place to be…

 

2021 I now reflect

Has been a big pain-in-the-neck;

We’ve all been thwarted at some point:

Many noses out of joint!

 

Three main culprits hove in view:

COVID won’t relent, it’s true

BREXIT creates postal hell,

As for our planet, it’s not well …

 

A bumper crop of deep concerns;

Too many calls on what one earns!

Strikes break out for many reasons;

Drought affects some growing seasons…

 

It’s the uncertainties that jar:

Should we take our bike or car,

Still eat meat, or live on veg?

No wonder politicians hedge!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Taking a Toll

BREXIT causes untold woes

As postmen, ever on their toes

Withhold all parcels ex-UK

Imposing whopping tolls to pay!

 

BPost mailings now seek cash

But scams are rife, so should we dash

To pay these hefty costs on line

As parcels don’t arrive on time?

 

Depots must be stacked up high

With UK Christmas gifts put by

The 5-day deadline soon surpassed

Unpaid (ignored?), the die is cast!

 

Why pay to get a Christmas card?

Life’s modest pleasures now are marred;

Brit lion’s share by email comes

It’s easy, quick and saves us funds!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Note: since writing this, two parcels have arrived from the UK. Thankfully, indicated as "gifts", no tax was payable :-)

Isabella has Style!

Young lass in pink, poised, packaged small

Exudes assurance and stands tall

This is a lady in-the-know

Her femininity on show!

 

With clear-cut dress sense, she’s aware

The best way to do her hair

A blonde cascade now frames her face

Adding to her innate grace.

 

See that sparkle in her eye?

Attention-seeking, she will try

To put herself on centre stage

And with all around, engage!

 

This month – December - she’ll be four;

Admittedly, a modest score

But Isabella has no fears

Her savoir-faire exceeds her years!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

 

Poignant December

The snow melts in December sun

Leaving slush and grime to run

In tiny waves down hilly street;

Cascading leaves lie at my feet.

 

Needs must - so I affront the day

Which starts in chilly shades of grey

See how displays, well-lit, attract

With hosts of gifts so neatly wrapped!

 

To send cards now I hesitate;

With email we’re kept up to date

What joy to voice our Christmas cheer

Skype means free calls with near and dear!

 

“New Normal” means life lived-through-screens

Too bad for those with slender means;

Without a laptop, we are lost

The life we once knew turned to frost.

 

We yearn for how things used to be:

Meanwhile, we decorate our tree,

Admire the city’s Christmas lights

And drink glühwein on winter nights!

(c) Poet in the woods (2021)

A December Lament

The intimated word is - snow

The sign that temperatures sink low

As we welcome cold December:

Short days and long nights, remember!

 

Traffic chaos, taxi strikes

Hassles with those “Uber” bikes

Rebelling prison staff again

Overcrowding their refrain.

 

I marvel that we keep our cool

Are our children safe in school?

Office Christmas parties stall

Some kissing won’t take place – at all!

 

Black Friday limps on, unappeased

France and UK: fish row freeze!

Gas and heating bills to rise

Why do I find this no surprise?

 

For you “out there” who read my rhymes

How do you cope these trying times?

This tunnel still seems long and dark

2021 has lost its spark!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021