April Fool's Day - News!

Huge earthquake shattered Myanmar:

Two thousand deaths at least so far

Its cry for help is quickly known

Aid rushes to disaster zone…

 

Meanwhile in France, the Far-Right flails

Embezzlement Le Pen derails

And in the film world we deplore

Dr. Kildare – now no more…

 

While Greenland, rarely in the news

Feels proud, defiant and abused!

From Outer Space, two souls romp home

From a nine-month stint – alone!

 

On social media: Belgian law

Means cigarettes now hide in store;

Perhaps when they are out of sight

The urge to smoke will not ignite?

 

Once more  - a pot pourri of news

On which you may hold trenchant views!

But this is how life is today

No April Fool, I’m sad to say!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Kildare

Lunch Date in Ixelles

I met up with good friend this week

We dined on spicy Thai - a treat!

We’ve knocked around for many years

And share a love for writing spheres.

 

Discussions ranged from this to that

During our long lunchtime chat

But illness and the loss of friends

Became a theme that never ends…

 

Despite the wan sun through the glass

We tripped down dark lanes of the past …

Recalling how life used to be

In Brussels back in Eighty-Three…

 

Alas, we cannot stop the clock;

We wonder when our lives will stop …

Meanwhile, what joy we still can meet

From time to time; yes, life is sweet!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Why Write Poetry?

It occurs to me from time to time

To wonder who will find my rhyme

Which sneaks onto the Internet

With no bright lights around its neck…

 

Unconsidered trifles fire my pen;

They pop up in my sights, and then

As though I’m running a fast race

Words jostle to fit into place!

 

I make no claim to magic skill

It’s just I make words rhyme at will

This hobby is such fun to share

And connect with YOU - out there!

 

We’re all plagued with too much ‘stuff’

And crisis-ridden news is tough

So, poetry is just my way

Of coping with the world today!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Magic Moments!

What magnificent magnolia

How its petals cling on tight!

All along the tramways

They’re such a happy sight.

 

Daffodils poke through the grass

Sweet heralds of the spring

And in the Jagerveld near me

Blue scillas form a ring!

 

My heart glows - it’s so thrilling;

Dark bushes soon turn green

While herbs sprout in my window box

Yes, Nature reigns supreme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

A Walk along Boulevard du Souverain

 From Auderghem to Boitsfort

Leafy parks and ponds invite!

Egyptian geese splash in the sun

Quaint bridge upon my right.

 

Almost imperceptible

Stark branches show spring signs

A biting wind keeps buds in check

But vegetation climbs!

 

Forsythia adds a touch of gold

And daffodils stand to;

Lone fountain by old “Royale Belge”

Adds sparkle to sky blue ...

 

A host of students sketch the scene

I stop to watch them draw;

Tomorrow’s architects create

New vistas in the raw ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Some Frosty Thoughts

 Another blank page stares at me

Friends are busy, no one's free

Clouds hide the springtime sun from me

I’m feeling glum;

In politics, the outlook’s bleak;

Young Belgian actress* died this week:

“Rosetta’s” star swept off her feet

Her life half done…

 

Embarrassed, Belgium has to face

The fact no Government’s in place

Since June last – it’s a disgrace!

Surreal indeed;

Roadworks continue on “The Ring”

In this cold snap, what price Spring?

More talk of armaments is grim;

Today’s News feed …

 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

* Emilie Duquenne 1981 - 16.3.2025

On Kindness

It’s no good pretending,

We all grow old some day

Our lives are forward tending

In time we all go grey!

 

But many friends leave us too soon

By the Grim Reaper scythed

They vanish from our afternoon…

Just memories survive.

 

So, we owe it to ourselves to be

As pro-active as we can

Appreciation is the key:

Old Age – a precious clan!

 

We think of those who’ve gone before;

They spark our memory cells

Recalling them makes feelings raw

But kindness always tells …

(c) Poet in the woods 2025