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

Not Every Trip is Fun!

Please be careful where you tread

As tree roots under cobbles spread;

Maybe lampposts block your way

Or wet leaves hide a kerbstone grey!

 

Although the binmen come each week

Winds scatter debris in the street

Green compost bags*, too thin, can burst;

With contents spilt out – which is worse!

 

Drains blocked with cherry blossom flood

Heavy storms can wash out mud;

Be careful to lift up your feet

A fall can joie de vivre deplete!

 

Ten thousand steps a day? Good goal

As movement helps both heart and soul;

But those who stay glued to their phone

Risk perhaps a broken bone!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Green bags are now collected once a fortnight.