Platinum Record on February 6th!

I wake to BBC flash news

We Brits can really now enthuse:

Our Queen defies Old Father Time;

70 years*deserves a rhyme!

 

Well-travelled, wise, still centre stage

In this Elizabethan Age

Her Platinum jubilee is planned;

Recognition for Camilla Shand!

 

There have been changes: post-war gloom

Engendered a great Sixties boom

Lost colonies; new countries led

By leaders on a map less “red”.

 

Prime Ministers** have come and gone

Yet still her Majesty rules on

Alone, as Philip has departed,

Stoic, calm, but broken-hearted…

 

Celebrations to be rolled out soon

 A myriad flags will wave in June;

Admired, revered since tiny tot

Her role unchallenged at the top!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Anniversary of her ascension to the Throne on the death of her father George VI on February 6th, 1952.

** 16 in total

Fanfare for the Tiger!

Year of the Tiger, bold and brave

Exorcising evils from his cave

Known for wild spirit, power and pride

His advent may be a rough ride!

 

Third zodiac sign of Chinese beasts

Today, Feb 1^st, his “birthday” feast;

Now centre stage, he ups the pace

We admire, but fear, his tawny face!

 

Upsets and tumults lead the way

While this noble beast holds sway!

But his element is H20

Perhaps this bodes a steady flow…

 

I imagine him with head held high

Observing all with practised eye …

Will his presence rock the boat?

World politicians, please take note!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Feb 1st, 2022 -  Jan 21st, 2023

A Slew of Fiascoes!

Life’s a rough ride, we’re at sea

As COVID will not let us be

Used by the Swiss, quite down to earth,

To give the Beijing Games* wide berth.

 

'Party' politics at Number Ten

Still rumble on for Brit P.M.**

Tsunami chaos*** overnight …

Yet news side-lined on Tonga’s plight!

 

Our priorities have all gone west!

Journalists report unrest

As East-West leaders weigh in, bold

We wonder - is the Cold War cold?

 

Troops deployed like game of chess

As power lurks in one man’s breast …

We must tread carefully, take things slow

Who knows how the wind will blow?

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Beijing Winter Olympics: 2-22 February, 2022

** Boris Johnson

*** The tsunami hit Tonga on 14th January, 2022

 

COVID Rite of Passage?

Home-working seemed a pleasant change

Agendas were soon re-arranged!

But many, now rushed off their feet,

Regret they can’t with colleagues meet.

 

The hoped-for peace at home won’t come

Childcare ambushes every Mum …

And glued for hours in front of screen

Without a coffee break – is mean…

 

Care homes forced to close their doors,

 Loneliness in waves now soars;

While classes faced with empty places

Find teachers challenged - put through paces!

 

This 'on-off' lifestyle drives us mad!

So, the Sunday* demonstration had

The people up-in-arms at last;

But police, in riot gear, moved fast!

 

It seems each generation finds

It must read between the lines;

For our freedoms we must fight

Do not assume God-given right!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Anti-COVID restrictions demonstration in central Brussels on 23rd January, 2022

Lost in a Fog!

Each winter day embalms the trees

With heavy mist and chilly breeze

We sleep in late and miss the dawn

Yet each day wake to brighter morn!

 

Without the sun to shed its heat

Just footsteps, not birds, in my street.

The groaning refuse truck goes past:

Debris from last week embarked fast!

 

Mid-week and time to take a pause

Warm as toast, I stay indoors

And contemplate what brings me joy;

How should I my day employ?

 

For many, life is hectic, fraught,

As schools, where children should be taught,

Are faced with teachers COVID-ill:

Will retirees now fit the bill?

 

The family shop costs more each week

Fuel and lighting reach new peak;

I cast around for some bright gem

But must admit defeat - pro tem.

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

A Poetic Exchange

Monday night was one of those:

Dark and cold, with both bars closed!

I’d turned up for my rendezvous

Well in time, just as you do…

 

But, despite Place Keym’s bright lights,

There was no one in my sights!

Then out of the gloom she came

Rugged up warm, she called my name!

 

In the gallery we found a place

To sip our tea in cosy space

We’d met for an exchange of views

Both published writers, who enthuse…

 

We swapped tomes on the table top

Nearby, the Carrefour* shut up shop;

The lights dimmed, we were forced to go

But hey! A link was made - with Jo!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*local supermarket

Place Keym gallery, Boitsfort

 

A Meditative Stroll

This January’s sun is pale

It rises late and leaves a trail

Of golden moments wreathed in mist

Where woodland birds make early tryst.

 

Last night the full moon* round and daunting

Made my homeward stroll quite haunting;

An eerie atmospheric dream

With puddles mirroring its sheen …

 

With life so fraught, Man is confused;

A plethora of worrying news

Channels fear into our veins

Where apprehension sprouts and reigns.

 

To pour balm on our troubled souls

Perhaps we should assess our goals …

Each season tiptoes in quite coy

Displaying vistas to enjoy!

 

Unchanging, and yet on the move

Mother Nature’s gifts can soothe

So why does reckless Man destroy

Our homeland which imparts such joy? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022 

* Known as the Wolf Moon