Musing at Breakfast

I wake up, peer out - phew, it's hot!

I’m still here – my friends are not

They’re off in droves - by plane or car

To Greece, or Spain or somewhere far!

 

Brussels buzzes, dry and warm;

Tourists in the Grand’Place swarm

Admiring our Baroque main square

Indulging in an ice-cold beer…

 

Fierce sun for pralines is bad news

But over ‘frites’ we all enthuse

Not cheap, I grant you, but delish

And yes, they can be served with fish!

 

Little pleasures, it is clear

Perhaps that’s why I love it here;

In compact, zigzagged cobbled streets

'Tis true - the heart of Europe beats!

 

I stumble down my dusty stairs

Housework beckons, but who cares?

It’s Saturday and I have time

Hence this modest little rhyme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Vanished Charm in Vilvoorde!

On Vilvoorde border there now lies

In quiet courtyard, a surprise!

Vast mural art – bold vibrant splashes

Van Moer scene evoked in dashes!

 

French artist from the Oise, divines

An ancient mill from gentler times

When this waterway had charm

And wealthy patrons loved the calm…

 

With the New World, increased trade

Brussels merchants had it made

Along its banks warehousing thrived;

Rural scenes like this soon died …

 

CERES, metals, fruit and veg

Now flourish on the canal’s edge

With noisy trucks in endless flow …

But it wasn’t always so…

 

Brussels history is vast;

Today’s street art recalls rich past;

Take a step back and admire

Brussels under Spanish power!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

the completed mural - on 2 walls

Jean-Baptiste Van Moer (1819-1884)

 

Nadège Dauvergne at work - (96 Chaussée de Buda)

Framed for Auntie!

This composition poised, untried

Positioned neatly, just inside

An ornate frame, front-facing view

Shows Isabella’s grin is new!

 

Dame Nature knows a thing or two

As growing up is hard to do;

To get adult teeth, we’re wired

It’s just patience that’s required!

 

The Pillow Fairy knows the score

That front gap wasn’t there before

But tooth replacement does take time

And occasions this short thyme.

 

Thomas, very much the man,

Has passed this stage and so he can

Look kindly on her gappy smile

Less photogenic – for a while…

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

 

Smurfmania!

What is dear Brussels coming to?

Peyo’s people born bright blue

Now known as Smurfs - are on parade!

Rihanna (Smurfette) has it made!

 

Down Mont des Arts police abound

Loudspeakers blare pulsating sound

While barricades halt tourist flow;

STIB buses don’t know where to go!

 

Smurf mini-cars parked on stone step

Round giant mushroom crowds collect;

A wide screen gives a bird’s eye view

Whichever way you look, it's blue!

 

The Manneken is not best pleased

His face now hidden when he pees

Swaddled in blue fuzz for hours

In Smurf costume he perspires!

 

King Albert stoic, on his horse

Observes this scene, par for the course

Surrealist to the nth degree:

Smurf debut film is a must see!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

The Smurfs were created and introduced as a series of comic characters by the Belgian comics artist Peyo (the pen name of Pierre Culliford) in 1958, wherein they were known as Les Schtroumpfs.

King Albert on the Mont des Arts

Summer - Delayed?

Heatwaves forecast? I see rain …

Petals to be swept again

From my terrace puddle-filled

Grey skies leave me under-thrilled!

 

Off the radar, friends seek sun;

Sales up next – but who wIll run

To see what bargains they can find?

This ‘fast’ fashion blows my mind!

 

Tempting offers with a catch!

Summer trains are mix and match

Hoping to reduce the queue

More trains to the coast in view.

 

The glut of soft fruit is a lure

Great vitamins we all can share

While meat is chopped in little bits

For barbecues and roasting pits!

 

I observe this frenzy and I sigh

How quickly June has flown on by;

Heatwaves? All stays dripping wet

Has summer really started yet?

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

On Strike - Again!

Matchless Belgium goes on strike!

Another drama comes to light!

As such disruptions are not fun

Forgive indulgence in a pun!

 

That the world’s gone mad, we know;

Human nature stoops so low;

Injustice, chaos and pure greed

Always form a brazen seed…

 

Since climate change and sudden war

Provoke my Muse and take the floor

For some, my riddles may perplex;

What will this poet think of next?

 

Retirement dates to be delayed

Out-of-work fees to be frayed

Public transport routes curtailed

Daily life again derailed…

 

But blue skies and a hopeful sun

Remind me summer has begun;

At least one task was not neglected

My rubbish bins have been collected!

(c) Poet in the woods 2025

Brussels  Bin men at work!

25th June, 2025 - another public sector strike ...

A Monday Meditation

Extreme heat never lasts too long

We swelter briefly then ‘tis gone

For one day I wrap round sarong

Toes – sandal-free;

Then comes that dratted nip-in-air!

I shiver on my terrace chair;

No, Belgium’s summer isn’t fair

As change is key …

 

Winds rustle my wisteria leaves

Below a wall of waving trees

Discarded petals form a frieze

By hedgerows lush;

Outside I can sense the rain

Dog owners grim pass in the lane

Dusty smears grace window pane

Roof gutters gush…

 

Monday morning – traffic jams

Students sit their last exams

In the background passing trams

In constant flow;

Most working friends on mobile talk

Too wet to take my healthy walk;

I ponder - why is life so fraught?

Must it be so? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2025