R.I.P. Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

She was no “9 to 5” type girl

Her hair - a forest full of curl

From “dirt poor” down in Tennessee

She made it to top of the tree!

 

Petite but buxom, a live wire

“Jolene” set our hearts on fire!

Mrs. Carl Dean, kind, warm-hearted

A reading scheme for poor kids started.

 

Ebullient on the silver screen

Of Country Music – uncrowned queen!

The public, faithful, loved her stuff

A real trooper, she was tough!

 

Now eighty - she has turned the page:

The footlights dim, she leaves the stage…

But Dolly Parton’s songs survive

And make us glad to be alive!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

The Possession Obsession

Please don’t try to sell me things!

What I have is quite enough

I dread sales calls when the phone rings

We’re often overwhelmed with stuff!

 

Owning more means living less;

With shelves and cupboards packed jam-tight

Fast fashion causes endless stress;

Too much choice just can’t be right!

 

De-clutter websites flood the Net;

See hoarders burden their own nest!

Which kitchen gadgets to collect?

Perhaps a simpler life is best …

 

I do not judge, but contemplate

This mindset where goods are the goal,

As clearing clutter out is great

And pours warm balm upon the soul…

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Little Blessings

Do you count your blessings? I dare say

You take for granted life each day;

When things go wrong, as oft they do,

The French phrase - “C’est la vie!”  - rings true…

 

But when something good takes place

You just click on ‘smiley’ face!

I like to think this means I see

Small miracles occur – for free!

 

A book, lent long ago, comes home;

A pal turns up when you’re alone;

A fond track played on radio

Awakens memories – you glow!

 

You realise people mean so much

When long-lost friends get back in touch;

A compliment out-of-the-blue:

Eureka!  Someone esteems you!

 

O.K., We don’t know why we’re here

But when shown signs that friends care,

Our hearts vibrate with a new spark,

And banished are bleak moments dark!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

A Visit to the Design Museum

Let’s talk DESIGN in letters proud!

Near the Atomium’s milling crowd

Down a small path, tucked away

Avant-garde style on display!

 

Up red, yellow and black steps

Bold presentations, helpful text.

Val-Saint-Lambert coloured glass

Whose name recalls a fabled past!

 

Strong focus here on Fifties’ chic:

Tubular furniture was "it"!

These moulded works of art show guile

Their clever shapes - a certain style…

 

Cute furniture for tiny tots!

Each chair and table neatly slots

Into smart forms – with such flair

I almost wish I could sit there!

 

Rue Ravenstein was once its home,

But over time, with space outgrown,

It now resides, for our delight,

Near the TradeMart on the right! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Place de la Belgique 1 (Laeken)

Temporary exhibition on children's furniture

When Rain is Welcome!

Drought-ridden Belgium? Surely not?

This thudding rainfall hits the spot,

As over two months have gone by

With heatwaves rocketing sky high!

 

My plants perk up, quite overjoyed

But navvy workers are annoyed;

Asphalting means re-routed bus;*

All done, we hope, for the school rush …

 

Just days ago - a burning sun ...

My hand-held fan was Number One

With bottled water in my bag;

I wish right now hot tea I had!

 

A wise Greek** centuries ago

Worked this out and so we know

Life is awkward to arrange

As our sole certainty is – change!

Poet in the woods 2026

* or buses (N° 17 and 95) as road surfacing work is carried out at Place Wiener for a week.

** Heraclitus of Ephesus (active circa 500 BCE), said that change is the only constant. While the exact modern phrase is a paraphrase, it summarizes his core teaching that the universe exists in a perpetual state of flux.

An Incident on the Track

Let’s take a train to see a friend!

No crowds, no queues, so I expend

A modest sum with “Senior Plus”;

It should take less time than a bus!

 

“S” class – nothing untoward

Means stopping train; I climb aboard;

Except, and this is nothing new,

"Track incident”  bars our way through!

 

A crackling Tannoy fills the air...

How long to wait? It isn’t clear…

“Moensberg” station looks deserted

Does this mean we’ll be diverted?

 

The passengers, and we are few,

Grumble, as all Belgians do!

This is indeed a “stopping” train!

At last, we pick up speed again.

Guess what? We  halt a second time:

More scenic views in bright sunshine!

Irritation, resignation...

Post  Linkebeek, next rural station.

My friend awaits, in bright red dress;

But I alight, so end of stress!

Down leafy lanes we make our way

Amused, perhaps by this delay!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Quaint Rhode-St. Génèse station

 

All Records Broken!

Summer this year wears new guises:

Heatwave Number Three surprises!

The Belgian Fens* combust and blaze

Mass exodus in black cloud haze…

 

We like it warm, but not this hot!

Smart aircon cafés hit the spot;

The start perhaps of a new trend?

Streets deserted – long weekend …

 

Rain is promised, but I tread

On pavements apt to fry an egg!

Large water bottle is a must;

Even weeds die - dry as dust…

 

Uccle**– weather records tumble;

Meanwhile, no sign of a rumble;

So, hot and bothered now are we

As the skies remain cloud-free …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Les Fagnes, Eastern Belgium - over 3000 hectares destroyed since 14th August

** Belgium's weather Observatory

Highest temperature ever recorded! 41.8°C : 107.2°F