Backcloth to Indian Summer

This Indian summer beams*, unchecked!

October’s Autumn leaves collect

On kerbs, in gardens, in the park:

In life’s wild chaos, a bright spark!

 

But time is on the wing, I’ve seen

Promotions start for Halloween!

What’s the rush?  Don’t azure skies

Provide a boost to jaded eyes?

 

But there’s an underside to this

While our mornings are sun-kissed,

This lack of rainfall is a sign

Of stressful livelihoods – big time …

 

When water, now tagged as “blue gold”,

Evaporates, life goes ‘on hold’;

With landscapes tinder-dry, a blaze

May ruin crops in harvest phase …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Over 20°C in Brussels in early October!!

Glorious Autumn palette!

A Snapshot of Dilbeek

Dilbeek*, claimed by Flemings, HOME,

Has leafy glades where people roam

Near neo-Renaissance brick pile

And castle-farm** revamped in style.

 

Lake tinged with green in ‘Indian’ *** heat

Sports three fountains which now greet

Daytime strollers through the grass

A host of birds swoop as we pass!

 

Ideally placed, with awnings bright

A choice of venues in sunlight,

Fine dining in this scenic spot;

Traditional fare, served piping hot!

 

White marquees trimmed lawns now grace;

Soon, annual "Oosthoek Live" takes place;

It has an "otherworldly" feel,

But I have seen it and it’s real !

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* "Dilbeek, waar Vlamingen THUIS zijn" is the local motto.

(Dilbeek is on the edge of Brussels)

** KasteelHoeve - Dilbeek

*** In Indian summer temperatures on 2nd October, 2026

Between Church and State?

Momentous meet-ups now take place:

Chinese leader at Trump’s place

Where trade agreements are on song

And both First Ladies come along…

 

While Nôtre-Dame, flamboyant, proud

Surrounded by Parisian crowd,

A hearty welcome now extends

To young Pope Leo – they are friends!

 

Both meetings, well planned, go ahead

But we’re not privy to what’s said

As Politics and Faith spark views

Which may cause worry or confuse…

 

The poet treads on thin ice here:

As some agendas aren’t made clear;

These outcomes offer the world’s Press

 The chance to launch a Media-Fest !

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Pope Leo XIV in Paris

Equinox Equanimity

The Autumn Equinox ignites

Thoughts of cosy fires, cool nights

With magic carpets on our paths,

September mists, bright woollen scarves  …

 

Russet apples, pumpkin pie

Swooping birds in burnished sky

Puddles, blocked drains, business rush

A change of tempo, stone fruits lush …

 

The year has reached its middle age;

Retirement from old Sol's fierce rays;

Bumptious mushrooms flaunt pert faces

Soups and salads now swop places.

 

New films on TV or on line

Entertain us now, big time!

Lofty trees long shadows cast;

Car-free Sunday is a blast!

 

Back to school for kids and teens;

Autumn breaks for those with means!

We’re on the turn with vistas new,

I lose myself in books - do you ?

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Buddha - a Case of Attitude

Old Buddha knew a thing or two;

When minds get cluttered (as they do),

High time to step aside and say

We need to filter thoughts away!

 

Too much ‘stuff’ destroys our peace;

As foreign wars will never cease,

We have to ask ourselves deep down

Why let world worries grind us down?

 

Beset by turmoil every day

Minutiae make emotions sway;

With much ‘out there’ beyond control,

We struggle to let good times roll!

 

Our influence may be but small 

When depression makes us stall,

But simple things we CAN decide:

Each rules his roost from the inside …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

A propos the Vuylbeek

This scenic Boitsfort brook flows free

Through wooded glade and rocky scree ;

Scheldt affluent via la Woluwe

Where reeds and rushes shelter too.

 

Deep aquifer means water pure*

Both teal and tufted duck breed here ;

In ponds, the crested glebe resides

And salamander deftly hides !

 

Medieval fishponds are no more

But there is still much to explore :

Neolithic camp and tumuli

Remind us what there used to be…

 

Poplars cut down, beech trees grown ;

This ‘zone humide’ we like to roam

Is a well-protected Nature site**

And keen photographers’ delight !

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* It is not a 'dirty brook', despite its name!

** Since 1992

'

At the Poetik Bazar

From Rue Royale it isn’t far

To Brussels Poetik Bazar

Where editors (most francophones),

Offer a wide range of tomes…

 

On one stand lay some Tarot cards

With little rhymes by local bards;

I chatted with a Québecoise

En français - that is what one does!

 

Slim volumes spread out on display

From poets foreign-born – hooray!

These mostly in the Gallic tongue;

Skilled adaptations every one!

 

 It’s no small thing to translate rhyme

As puns and idioms take time;

Rhythm often must be kerbed

In the search for the right word!

 

Imaginative, creative flow!

Where thoughts may mingle and then go

In other forms across the seas;

Could it be I’m one of these?

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

At the Halles de Schaerbeek 22 Rue Royale Sainte Marie