A Peace-full Reflection

Deep down, it’s peace that we all crave

But Fortune is a tricky Knave

Who tempts and pleads, so we succumb

To silliness, and sense stays dumb.

 

We chase chimeras and fool’s gold

Materialism leaves me cold

We work our socks off for more pay

Then fritter all our gains away.

 

But we only have one life,

One chance at happiness; so, strife

It seems, is our soul’s loss

Choose even keel not turn and toss.

 

That life’s a game is often said

But it depends how rules are read!

We’re all on journeys of our own

Each move we make – new stepping stone!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Knaves take many forms!

The Life Force

Time’s like a river; on it flows

How it meanders, no one knows;

Rocks may cause it to slow down,

Or form deep pools where fish are found.

 

It starts, like life, from mountain spring

High in the clouds where no birds sing

Acquiring strength past cliffs and screes

Perhaps reflecting lofty trees…

 

It picks up debris in its wake;

Which new direction will it take?

Watch it wend round crops and hedges

While friendly reeds skirt outer edges.

 

Its pace slows down in middle age

Gone forever youth’s wild rage

Its power harvested, it yields

Its flow to irrigating fields...

 

 Then the mighty sea lies straight ahead

Where it will slowly lose its head

And mingle with the salty waves;

Just so is life, from birth to graves …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Thomson River - Canada

 

 

 

Excursion to London Farm - Steveston

New impressions make life full

As links with home exert less pull;

Our thoughts escape, float on long-lease;

Without routines, souls are at peace.

 

In the stillness of Vancouver dawn

Where shadows play on curtains drawn

This stolen, jet-lagged, hour is real

Hot coffee has a sharp appeal!

 

This Autumn season overseas

Arrives with unexpected breeze;

Though skies are clear and sapphire blue

Windcheaters are in constant view!

 

On edge of Steveston - London* Farm

Once private homestead full of charm

Where passers-by, though we saw none,

Can learn how fruit farms once were run.

 

Threshing machine, hoes, rakes and scythes

In open barn, arrest our eyes;

While in allotments dahlias bloom

And herbs and veggies fight for room!

 

Vast ditches dug to stave off flood

Recall past times when silted mud

Birthed cranberries in a big way

We know this crop as “Ocean Spray”!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Built and worked by the 'London' family in the 1890s.

London Farm Barn

Ye olde threshing Machine

Richmond Revels!

Fraser River - misty, swathed in cloud

Incoming ships sound foghorns loud

I see a bird or two swoop low,

Along the dyke, dog walkers go.

 

A rosy pink sky meets my gaze

Yes, jetlag has a magic phase;

This topsy-turvy scene invites

A new perspective of delights!

 

The change of hour is extreme

My body feels lost in a dream …

When to get up? When to eat?

Out of step - with happy feet!

 

At Farmers Market, fruit piled high;

Bins of apples catch my eye;

The Fraser Valley proud to be

A fertile plain quite condo-free!

 

Walmart, where most locals shop,

Had an almost empty parking lot ...

Closed sans warning?  Shock to all!

Hence Hobson’s choice was Richmond Mall.

 

Their food court had an Asian feel;

Gold ornate jewellery looked surreal

In brightly lit, garish displays;

So much to look at and amaze …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Richmond Farmers Market

Richmond Mall Food Court

Fishing - for Compliments?

 How wings get tired as one flies;

But joy to see a new sunrise

As flying West means endless day,

With Night encroachment kept at bay…

 

Rush hour traffic here is light;

The River Fraser* sparkles bright

Its estuaries all cloaked in blue

Once airport red tape is gone through!

 

Where am I? Go on, have a guess;

As hinted, I have flown out West!

Vancouver high-rise looms in view

But clapboard homesteads* spring up too.

 

Once, salmon canning enterprise

This fishing hamlet grew in size;

Known now for tech-smart generation:

Its laid-back style – a revelation.

 

In summer – blessed with climate mild

(Though rainy winters are reviled!)

Progressive, spawned with West-Coast chic

A mecca for the Get-Rich-Quick!

 

Nearby, away from city sprawl

Beyond each local shopping mall,

A tiny enclave fringed by sea …

Richmond, where my heart roams free!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* The Fraser River is 854 miles  (or 1375 Km) long, all in British Columbia.

** Located near Vancouver Airport, Burkeville village  - comprising 328 houses  - was built in 1941-1943 to house workers for Boeing Aircraft construction.

Richmond Fishing Museum, British Columbia, Canada

Backcloth to Indian Summer

This Indian summer beams*, unchecked!

October’s Autumn leaves collect

On kerbs, in gardens, in the park:

In life’s wild chaos, a bright spark!

 

But time is on the wing, I’ve seen

Promotions start for Halloween!

What’s the rush?  Don’t azure skies

Provide a boost to jaded eyes?

 

But there’s an underside to this

While our mornings are sun-kissed,

This lack of rainfall is a sign

Of stressful livelihoods – big time …

 

When water, now tagged as “blue gold”,

Evaporates, life goes ‘on hold’;

With landscapes tinder-dry, a blaze

May ruin crops in harvest phase …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Over 20°C in Brussels in early October!!

Glorious Autumn palette!

A Snapshot of Dilbeek

Dilbeek*, claimed by Flemings, HOME,

Has leafy glades where people roam

Near neo-Renaissance brick pile

And castle-farm** revamped in style.

 

Lake tinged with green in ‘Indian’ *** heat

Sports three fountains which now greet

Daytime strollers through the grass

A host of birds swoop as we pass!

 

Ideally placed, with awnings bright

A choice of venues in sunlight,

Fine dining in this scenic spot;

Traditional fare, served piping hot!

 

White marquees trimmed lawns now grace;

Soon, annual "Oosthoek Live" takes place;

It has an "otherworldly" feel,

But I have seen it and it’s real !

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* "Dilbeek, waar Vlamingen THUIS zijn" is the local motto.

(Dilbeek is on the edge of Brussels)

** KasteelHoeve - Dilbeek

*** In Indian summer temperatures on 2nd October, 2026