The Year of the Fire-Horse!

Tumultuous this Chinese year:

The feisty Fire-Horse struts here!

Upsets, upheavals, goalposts missed,

All untoward, we’re crisis-kissed!

 

Dire news from friends I read

Risks are coming home to breed!

Disasters clothed in myriad forms,

Routines beset by sudden storms…

 

Fire, death and illness fight for space …

The Wheel of Fortune picks up pace!

Thank goodness we can count on friends

Whose moral comfort never ends…

 

Money can’t solve every plight

Although of course when cash is tight

Despair comes knocking at our door

And stress can shake us to the core…

 

This Fire-Horse year, right on cue,

Runs roughshod; we must plan anew

As certainties are turned to dust …

But fight on to survive – we must!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Dates: February 17th, 2026 - to February7th, 2927

19 Degrees in February!

Not all news is “also read”

Behold - hot temperatures in Feb!

The weathermen in Uccle sigh

Climate change, methinks, is nigh!

 

Pristine snow scenes, captured fast

By Jan’s photographer, will last.

But soon the clouds blocked out the blue

And dripping brollies furled anew!

 

Now February nears its end;

On warmer days we humans spend

Bird-trilled moments in bright sun

Where kerbs with daffs are overrun!

 

A host of crocuses I spy

Proof that the council has passed by …

Sweet Nature flirts in new attire

And doubtless, poets will inspire!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

  

On Chilling Out!

Our 'To-Do' list grows and grows ...

We’re busy, often in the throes

Of vital action or hard task;

“What must I do next?” you ask.

 

Drat, once again we put aside

An indulgence, let it slide …

Then, after urgent jobs get done

Tiredness stops us having fun!

 

There’s so much we’d like to do

As our friends need attention too,

But often, sadly, we’re time-poor

Struggling to complete each chore!

 

We never seem to find the time

To chill, as we’re “hooked” on line;

I muse – is modern stress a phase?

Perhaps we should re-think our days!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

The Value of Keeping in Touch

When you think of friends, you make that call

It’s been a while, so let’s not stall!

The friend in question hears your voice,

Flattered that you made this choice!

 

A bit of chit-chat, time goes by

Connections mean so much; you sigh

You may recall good times you’ve had

Though sometimes, what you learn is sad …

 

That’s why we nurture our dear friends

As every moment that one spends

With people who enhance our lives

Is precious, so friendship survives!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

What's in a Date?

Milan, Cortina: Winter Games

Its snowy ambiance proclaims

Bronze medal* for the Belgian Team

A modest effort, it would seem …

 

Norway, meanwhile tops the polls;

Last TV coverage extols

Great prowess, skill and expertise:

They have the edge in times like these!

 

Observe elsewhere - the heat is on

It’s four years to the day, upon

Which, other matters topped the news;

I say no more but just leave clues …

 

Once more, a Sunday meditation:

Penned lightly without hesitation

Recalling what one cannot voice

In terms of dates – a double choice …

(C) Poet in the woods

Winter Olympic Games 5-22 February,  2026

* For short-track speed skating

Arid Adelaide

This ‘otherworldliness’ disturbs;

Beyond leaf-littered, wide suburbs

I see, encroaching on parched plains,

New building projects crowned with cranes.

 

Huge earthworks, fencing, “Keep out!” signs

For brand-new homes in dusty lines;

This barren landscape lacks a heart

The would-be roads mapped out, look stark.

 

Where entry needs no invitation

Key agenda issue: immigration;

This “Lucky Country” feels the strain

Hence the “Aussies do it tough” refrain.

 

For a visitor who loves the sun

Oz scenery is next to none

A privilege enjoyed by few:

Low rainfall is a tough call too!

 

For locals, this heat is a curse

Rates and tax hikes hit the purse;

Each year the risk of fire is high

As nowhere else is it so dry! 

(C) Poet in the woods 2026

If All goes up in Smoke ...

At times we need to pause awhile

Turn off that ever-glowing dial

Of our Smart phone, banish stress,

Consider living with much less …

 

Who wants more gadgets to procure?

Aggressive adverts are no lure;

Do I really need to see

Alerts from Facebook? Leave me be!

 

I take a walk, admire the trees;

Such precious moments - I need these

To restore the peace I lack,

And put my troubled soul on track.

 

Is this an age thing? I confess

In Nature I find happiness;

Plus - joy in sharing with a friend

A good book - will never end!

 

In bushfires you can lose it all

But helped by neighbours, you walk tall;

What matters, when you boil it down

Are friends, not shopping trips in town!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026