A CATalogue of Events!

On many days I do not write

As inspiration does not strike

My brain or tweak my thought

It’s like stardust – can’t be cau;ght.

 

Mood, emotions, some weird thing

Will sometimes prompt my words to string

Along in natty rhymes;

But I am not a clock that chimes

 

At regular, predictive times;

Muse Calliope still defines!

To play with words, tease with a pun

(Which you all like!), is just such fun!

 

Some factoids echo in my soul:

Larry-the-Mouser - on a roll

True Guardian of Number Ten

This smart and wily cat stays zen!

 

In dried-up Danube - NAZI ship*!

In fire-raged France - munitions pit!**

Even ‘quiet’ August fires my Muse …

My eager fingers tap out news!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* near Prahovo, Serbia, the NAZIs scuttled their Black Sea Fleet in 1944

** Over 400 WWII  unexploded shells found in Le Porge (Gironde)

Larry-the-Cat  - Chief Mouser  at Number 10 - since February 2011.

In the Slow Lane

We’re promised storms – but not just yet

Though overnight my plants got wet

Which means one chore I can delay

My watering can on shelf can stay!

 

But weeds love heat; see nettles climb

Round wooden bollards, hiding grime …

While Nature plays a trick or two,

I’ve heard a new eclipse is due!

 

My friends? Gone AWOL – it’s their right;

But a velvet, star-filled sky at night

Always takes my breath away

Harbinger of a torrid day …

 

Why must we rush?  Is burning heat

Nature’s way to let thoughts seep

Into our brains to take life slow?

 Time taken out helps us to grow …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

A Heated Argument or Two!

So much is 'cut and paste', 're-hash';

Take stupid adverts to make cash;

Or inane quiz games; (low IQ)

That any bright spark can see through …

 

That sometimes I despair of Man;

I entertain, best as I can!

The Internet is a great tool

But NEVER will it replace school!

 

July ends in a blaze of heat

Early morning – empty street ...

I think of those keen to depart

And those whose journey home must start…

 

'Crossover' weekend – signalled red;

Long traffic hold-ups lie ahead …

While I gaze at peerless sky

And watch a single bird swoop by…

 

Low summer sales have caused dismay

The heat, I hear, kept crowds at bay;

For so long we have prayed for heat …

Extremes, alas, our plans deplete!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Improving the Shining Hour!

Where are you all? Most are away;

My inspiration stores are grey;

Raging fires, war-torn graft …

Am I alone to think news daft?

 

Good news barely makes the cut

While of disasters – there’s a glut!

I turn to long-forgotten chores

But barely see the dust on floors!

 

Believe me, this July we roast

The only “cool” place is the coast!

With traffic madness, airport stress

I realise that home is best…

 

So, Iet’s take time to do things right;

Organising may seem trite

But oh, what joy when all is done

And I can read my book – in sun!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

The title comes from  the famous 1715 poem "Against Idleness and Mischief" by English minister Isaac Watts, commonly known as "How Doth the Little Busy Bee". 

  

Snooze News!

‘Tis Belgian summer … What, no rain?

The temperature goes up again!

The weeds, delighted, grow apace

Between dry paving stones they race!

 

My window-boxes water crave;

But … Hey! I am no garden slave!

Full sun at midday burns their leaves…

Nightfall watering - a breeze!

 

We cope the best we can in heat

Into that thrilling book let’s peep,

Or watch wee insects climb the wall

Or maybe doze off – it’s YOUR call!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Cossies and Mozzies!

I would like to think, on barmy* days

We can relax, but fierce fires rage

French holidays involve high risk

La Gironde** burnt to a crisp!

 

So far, Belgium has been spared

Though firemen’s strike has got us scared;

Our social services are let down

Though fires still break out in town!

 

A dip in swimming pool outside

Where we can float or maybe glide

Is just the thing; but I ask where

Such pools exist in open air?

 

Agreed, this summer the sun shines,

But heatwaves promise sweaty times!

Clothes sales are brisk, ripe fruit abounds

Hence damned mosquitoes do the rounds!

 

These pesky insects mar our day;

We spray ourselves to keep at bay

Their greedy, irritating bite;

Our ankles targeted at night!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* or balmy ...

** on the outskirts of the city of Bordeaux

The Mango Chutney-Mistress Combo!

Today was such fun to explore

A house I’d never seen before!

My friend dog-sits - owners away

So, near the Cinquantenaire I stray!

 

Art Nouveau house, broad flight of stairs

To trendy lounge with comfy chairs

Lofty ceilings, where plants crawl;

Mango chutney artwork* on one wall!

 

Kitchen - spacious, all mod. con.

Garden chairs to sit upon

Beds of roses by brick walls;

An angry crow both dogs enthrals.

 

They frolic, wag their tails, and race;

Curious to see new face?

Delicious coffee, fresh-ground beans

This couple certainly has means!

 

In this well-appointed place

The dogs are clearly used to space;

Then, a bit of gossip, so I hear

A king’s mistress** once lived near!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Footnotes for the curious: 

* This vast  painting promotes Sharwoods mango chutney

** The mistress of King Léopold I - Arcadie Claret  - also lived in this street ...

The   amazing artwork!