A Pre-Easter Message!

Damn sniffles and a sudden sneeze

Caught perhaps from icy breeze

Which holds us firmly in its grasp;

But surely, Spring has come at last?

 

Zingy ginger in my tea

 And lemon for vitamin C!

A second cardigan is wise

To warm me under sullen skies!

 

I need a scarf when I go out

A hassle I could do without;

This change of hour and lack of sleep

Combine to make my Muse less sweet!

 

But Easter looms - my wishes go

To all ‘out there’ who read my flow

Of thoughts, reflections, points of view…

It cheers me up to write for you!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Tram Access to the Airport?

Will Brussels build tram track at last

To take us to the airport* fast?

Such projects sound well-oiled, secure

Linguistic borders – be aware!

 

Here, politics can be a trial

I know, as I’ve been here awhile!

But public transport absorbs stress

As we can read, scroll down or rest!

 

More parking spaces disappear;

With petrol at the pumps so dear

There are those who in a fret

Decide to use their “trottinette”!

 

For safety reasons – a new law

Helmets must be worn by all!

More legislation and more fuss …

Thank goodness Boitsfort has its bus**!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

** STIB bus 17

* At Zaventem Airport

At the Imagination Club

We’re all so busy and so stressed;

Which boring task should we do next?

Thank goodness I work “à la carte”

With time off – to enjoy the park!

 

A clump of bluebells bring delight

I pass them on my way tonight

They cluster, roadside, by a tree:

A spot of colour – just for me!

This workshop* helps all types share views;

Smart thoughts “outside the box” enthuse

I listen carefully and admire

Offbeat reactions which inspire!

 

Each person names his own balloon

Then punches it across the room!

Next, round a “human tree” we form

A story and new links are born.

 

We pair with someone we don’t know

In silence, just armed with “play doh”

To imagine and create

A joint venture; it was great!

 

Imagination – to the fore!

Such fun to meet, greet and explore

The arcane workings of our minds;

Deep contemplation often binds!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Entitled " Body, Movement and Silence"

The creative mauve flower!

With Spring in my Step!

It’s Monday – a new week begins;

I do the laundry, empty bins

Gaze at the sky, pale shade of grey

And ponder on my tasks today.

 

While most of you are pressed for time,

And in crowded buses climb,

I watch the shadows now give way

To shafts of sunlight, which now play

 

Upon my terrace wall outside;

On growing buds, small insects hide.

The Great Awakening has begun

Winter’s cold embrace – undone!

 

Whatever happens, Nature thrives:

Its positive effect survives

So, once again, I don warm shoes

And walk, to chase away the blues!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

On the Tenth Anniversary

In a reflective mood today;

My terrace chairs, once put away,

Both clean and shiny, now await

My presence where I meditate.

 

Have you heard how sweet birds sing?

And daffodils form golden ring

Around trees in bright-green attired?

My Muse wakes up, once more inspired!

 

So many died ten years ago

In airport and Maelbeek metro

While others, who survived, still bear

Injuries requiring care…

 

What were YOU doing on that day*

When lives were shattered, torn away

From loved ones, as the die was cast

By ideologies held fast?

 

All innocent, all unprepared

So sudden, no time to be scared

A slice of life nipped in the bud

Memories encased in blood …

 

Was this Karma? Was this Fate?

We try to make sense and debate

The whys and wherefores of such acts;

Brave faces try to hide the cracks …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22nd March, 2016

A Cheeky Conjecture!

Though Nature often floats my muse

And buoys me up (unlike the News!),

It seems we all must be aware

Of what is going on “out there”.

 

We need tranquillity and peace

Which never has, alas, long lease

As human folly never dies

But oft invades us in disguise!

 

“Doom scrolling” is the buzzword new

Describing what we all go through

As daily horrors rock our boat

And cause a tightening of the throat…

 

Keen journalists are put to task:

How to check their sources fast?

What are we supposed to do

To ascertain what’s fake, what’s true?

 

Car radios can be put on mute;

News bulletins on radios suit

Those who now forego T.V.

Newsprint? How life used to be!

 

Has it always been this way?

World events we cannot sway

But, we CAN choose what we read …

So, poetry fulfils a need!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

La Première - the Belgian French language radio station

De Profundis Clamavi

Though news gets worse and worse each day

Grave matters can’t be swept away;

Moreover, outside looks like rain

Which tries to clean my window pane…

 

Geopolitics be damned!

World trading nations take a stand

Each wanting larger slice of pie;

Meanwhile, we struggle to get by…

 

This gracious world is ours to share

But altruistic thoughts are rare

As precious metals, oil and grain

Are claimed by those on gravy train!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Title taken from Psalm 130...