Stormy Thoughts on the Bus!

Torrential rains upset June plans

What to do when water fans

In rushing waves right past the door

Unwelcome - flooding cellar floor?

 

Though weather patterns are extreme

All reverts to vibrant green

In spells of sun, post strong cloudburst

When gasping Nature slakes her thirst.

More storms and squalls take place elsewhere

As rebel teachers, once quite rare

And neglected far too long, now shout,

Trainee vocations running out!

 

Curricula won’t stand the strain

Exams are looming large again;

They baulk at adding two more hours

But this united front empowers!

 

Pupils* seen as bus drives by

Holding angry placards high:

Their academic goals in doubt …

The Government must sort this out!

 

The rain holds off; more board our bus:**

Packed sardines in rush-hour crush;

Most sporting earphones, unaware

This is a crisis they all share!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Institut de l'Assomption 

** Route of STIB bus N° 17

  

Considering Retirement?

What price retirement? Have you thought

Or does this next step make you fraught?

Like-minded souls, some on the cusp,

Meet to debate; you could join us!

 

Themes which do the rounds, include:

How to bolster happy mood,

When pressure from ex-workplace ceases,

And you are left to pick up pieces…

 

Go choose a hobby which is fun:

Gardening delights more than one;

Or you can volunteer your time

In person, or as coach on line.

 

Keeping fit, through dips in pool

Or walks with friends, is a good rule;

Dancing, cycling, nature walks;

All sharing eases fears and thoughts …

 

Whichever way you cut your cake,

You must now your “work tree” shake;

Don’t press foot pedal to the floor,

The world’s your oyster – to explore! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

No Sweat!

We swelter, so the mind goes blank;

We mop our brows – neck hairs feel damp

It’s tiring just to lick a stamp

On birthday card;

Big shopping trip you can neglect

Dirty floor? Let dust collect

Some niggly admin tasks? Forget!

Life’s just too hard!

 

To local pool*? Closed for repairs;

Time to strip off, remove layers

Let bare arms breathe since no one cares ...

We’re in Heat Dome!

Mad exodus – Ostend-on-Sea?

Where strolls along the dyke are free …

But on reflection – this finds me

Relaxed – at home!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Calypso pool in Boitsfort is temporarily closed for roof repairs.

Scary - and All that Jazz!

A quiet day – in blazing sun

With city buzz toned down to hum

Where thirsty plants, quite cowed, await

Relief from heat – Vive Watergate!

 

Such lethargy - perhaps new phase?

We’re so unused to scorching rays;

With many people overheated,

“Get-up-and-go” stores are depleted!

 

Film festival in Cannes delights

As Belgian films attain new heights;

Miles Davis, jazzman with great flair,

Would have hit his century this year!

 

 While Bram Stoker’s brainchild: Dracula*

Has lived 130 years – so far!

These disparate facts – caught on the run

Are what make my writing fun!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* "Dracula" first published May 26th 1897

Miles Davis 26.5.1926 - 28.9.1991

Curiouser and Curiouser!

It’s a challenge every day I find

To titillate each reader’s mind

With whimsy, facts or politics;

Will my themes evoke blog ‘hits’?

 

 In vogue, reduced attention span

So, I must carve out, if I can,

A brief fragment of your time

With offbeat comment or pert rhyme.

 

Still more countries find my blog!

Forget A.I. – it’s mental slog

To find a titbit on the news

Or weird event, that may amuse…

 

I try to sift the truth from chaff

As so much ‘out there’ now is naff!

Could it be that I succeed?

Warm thanks for logging in to read!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Perhaps the title owes something to Alice and the Cheshire Cat ...

'

 

Angelic Verse?

She sits in a reflective mood

This little angel of our brood

My glasses perched on bridge of nose;

Perhaps an intellectual pose?

 

On her knees a notebook lies

She’s watched Auntie and she tries

To consider, pen in hand

The art of writing neatly scanned.

 

Sweet Isabella thinks it’s great

To play with words whose sounds relate;

An avid reader, she learns fast

Will she find rhyming a tough ask?

 

Believe it, or believe it not

She finds it fun to interlock

Jaunty words into a rhyme

At eight she does it, the first time!

 

Her theme? The family - that seems fair

A little ode to brother dear;

Though shaky, she has caught the spark

Which brings warm thrill to Auntie’s heart!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Whose Turn to Move?

Politics – like chessboard pieces

Where tension with each move increases;

The Board across the world extends;

It happens - friends and foes change ends…

 

Glued to news broadcasts every day

We marvel at bold stakes in play;

Fast moves may focus on new goals

For whom, we wonder, the bell tolls?

 

The field is wide, new partners join;

Poised to act on flip of coin?

The driving force – no loss of face

The unexpected – commonplace…

 

That life’s a tightrope – no surprise;

Chess is a tricky enterprise!

Too many pawns – a brace of kings…

We wait to see whose karma wins!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2026