Just four days in and desert lands
Upset so many travel plans
The troubled skies light up at night
But not by any long-haul flight…
Hordes of passengers are stranded
Woe to those who have just landed!
Caught helpless, wondering what to do
World politics is led – by who?
The Strait of Hormuz shuts the door
Soon prices at the pumps will soar …
With the power vacuum now created
Peace talks seem fragile and inflated…
(c) Poet in the woods 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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
