From Nepal to Norway ...

I’m flattered when you find my blog!

The Internet maintains a log

Of all the countries that alight

Perhaps, by chance, on what I write…

 

I keep a handle on world news

But carefully avoid strong views

As you must make up your own mind;

Poets do try to be kind.

 

But it is clear the world’s a mess!

Disasters of all types cause stress;

Witness flooding in Nepal*

Where Man can't take the blame at all!

 

Poor country, where the living’s hard;

Hapless souls now deeply scarred;

Survivors faced with mud display

As fragile homes are washed away…

 

Wars rage on – a truce is sought

But selfish interests lead to nought

Young lives, full of promise, die

While petrol prices leap sky-high!

Death comes to stars** and kings alike;

Norway’s King Harald** *died last night …

The world we loved and knew, departs

Before us now – a new game starts!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Over 2000 deaths on night of 26-27.8.2026

** i.e. Dolly Parton aged 80, who died on 25.8.2026

*** King Harald V of Norway, aged 89, who died on 27.8.2026

He is succeeded by his son King Haakon VIII

The Repurposed Box!

Though retired, not unemployed;

Auntie is quite overjoyed

When new family photos come …

My photogenic niece is fun!

 

Not jack-in-the-box – but Jill!

A nursery rhyme – a modern thrill

As Isabella is encased

With laptop and a smiling face!

 

You can’t stop progress, come what may

Her office, all-in-one today

Proves imagination thrives

And enhances mundane lives!

 

Fully plugged in, up to date,

The joy upon her face is great

But what she watches, I can’t see

I tiptoe off, and let her be!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

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

Her Imaginative library was founded in 1995

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.