A Shot in the Dark?

If I mention 'guns' and 'schools' together
As well as this damned freezing weather
It is because both leave me cold
Why must such horror still unfold?

Though the cowboy era is long past
Once more the flags are at half-mast
As guns are freely bought and sold
Think Florida students*: dead and cold...

But perhaps there is a change of mood
NRA sponsors aren't renewed
The media circus lends a hand
The White House forced to take a stand ...

Gun lobbies jostle for their rights;
Morality gets into fights
The stage is set for a new show
But the future is not ours to know...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018



* Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Florida
Shooting 14th February, 2018 - 17 deaths
NRA: National Rifle Association

A Cold Strike

To those in Brussels who commute
The metros and the trams were rare
Did buses run? The point is moot
On platforms – many standing there...

Computer signboards: long delays
The STIB network «much perturbed»
Pension rights in awkward phase
Hence honest daily lives disturbed.

Schools closed; so parents stay at home
Their routine turned quite upside down
Everyone on mobile 'phone;
Three hours needed to cross town!

Cold Siberian winds ensure
Insult to injury is added
Long waiting times freeze us the more
Woe betide the lightly cladded!

When finally a tram arrives
It's all but greeted with a cheer
Amazing that sang froid survives
As these strikes happen – every year!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Dawn Take-Off!

While many of you lie abed
Sometimes it is fun instead
To do what many of you dread
And rise at dawn
It's quiet, no cars rumble past
It's great to be up first, not last
I can take my time at last
In early morn.

A brand new day with lots to do
Hours plentiful to see it through
Planning without panic too
My lightning strike!
Breakfast in the peace and quiet
Fresh fruit and coffee in my diet
A treasured time, I won't deny it
What's not to like?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

It Doesn't Take Much!

Help! This cold makes my brain ache
Chilled to the bone each breath I take
Surely there is some mistake
Bad thermostat?
The Weathermen our ears assail
With another cold snap down the trail
This February frosts prevail
How we hate that!

Early mists o'er meadows lie
The wind is sharp, tears in my eye
OK, a few hours of clear sky
As from midday
Without gloves, hands go sapphire blue
Many friends have got the 'flu
Their motivation all shot through
"Stay home!" I say.

But then a bird comes swooping past
Perhaps on a nest-seeking task
And I hear his cheery song at last
Next to my ear
I look around – Wow! Not a cloud
In Belgium is such blue allowed?
So there are times when I am proud
That I live here!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

The Reptile, the Mouse and the Monkey!

It seems three «creatures» rule our mind
Neurosciences define
Our lusts, desires and quest for joy
As an 'instant satisfaction' ploy.

The Reptile mind fears an attack
Keeps watch on us and holds us back
While the Mouse is always after cheese
And grabs at everything he sees -

Whether beer, wine, chocolate or food
The Mouse is always in the mood
He's indulgent, greedy, unrestrained
And doesn't think of weight he's gained.

Which leaves the Monkey, much neglected
Who thinks more long term, is directed
To peace of mind, a tad more wise
Contentment in another guise!

The battle's joined when we are born
We're unaware of mental storm
The human mind hears many voices
How many contemplate their choices?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Inspiration: RTBF La Première: Pierre Portevin "Osez, ça change tout"

Clinging On

How hard to find a subject new
I cast my net out for a clue
What event will catch my eye?
The Olympics* hurtle swiftly by.

But sadly, sport is not my bag
What fun with football's to be had?
I might as well declare my hand
With politics my flame is fanned!

Donald and Russians in the news
Maelstrom of conflicting views
More gun violence in a school
Prayers and not a change of rule.

South Africa where Zuma's** reign
Is over – sunshine after rain?
Corruption everywhere is rife
And the plight of migrants – what price life?

Whom can we look to and admire?
High hopes crushed, dragged in the mire
Have we reached the end of tethered rope?
Pandora's box holds one gift – hope ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Winter Olympics at Pyongyang, South Korea: 9-25 Feb, 2018

Jacob Zuma resigned as President of South Africa on 15th Feb, 2018

Feeling Mellow!

When the sun peeps out, my mood improves
It's one of Nature's finest moves
The shadows form along the tiles
And my view extends for miles.

Living right by woodland edge
In an enclave, verdant wedge
Melodious birdsong is a joy
Conversely, yapping dogs annoy!

The green belt starts outside my door
Fir trees harbour birds that caw
Pert wood anemones, petite
Under tired bracken peep.

In a neighbour's garden - yellow thrills
A splash of Wordsworth's «Daffodils»*
As Nature offers great displays
To those with time to stop and gaze ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* William Wordsworth's most famous poem "The Daffodils" was written in 1802.

My Street in Winter

My street’s the icing on the cake
Smoothly fashioned, pristine white
With wind that whips it into shape
As Jack Frost sculpts it overnight.

But who will see this work of art
In all its glory thus spread out?
Before the dawn dispels the dark
Dogs, men and gritters have gone out.

As in the hymn this silent night
Where heavy clouds shield us from stars
Recalls to mind that ancient light
That shone on distant worlds from ours.

But human kind is never still
Cars soon rev in angry mood
Commuters slip slide down the hill
As many on this scene intrude.

Who stops to marvel at this sight
The beauty of a cleaned up slate?
None but this poet stunned by white
Who pens these words by breakfast plate...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Believe - Act - Succeed!

It's not just football that needs goals
We all need aims, or life unfolds
In a haphazard, pointless way;
So what will you achieve today?

Let's say you focus on a dream
However distant it may seem
Positive thoughts change how you see
And perception of your goal will be

As if by magic within sight;
Willpower sets your heart alight!
All obstacles will melt away
Belief in self once found, will stay.

Write down on a piece of card
One thing you want – it isn't hard
Keep it by you and re-read
It's like the planting of a seed.

Each day you watch it, it will grow
You'll reap the wished-for thoughts you sow
Your brain, emboldened, comes on stream
Hey presto! You'll fulfil your dream!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

See "32 minutes that will change your life" 1956 broadcast
by motivational speaker Earl Nightingale (1921-1989)

Isabella meets Granny Pam!

Lucky Isabella blessed with two
Loving Grannies, proud and true;
Pam recovers from long flight
Overjoyed to hold her tight!

Long trek from India – here at last
Pam sets about her pleasant task
The little family grows apace;
Thomas's coverted first place

Has been snatched (in the nicest way)
As Isabella now holds sway.
Too young to appreciate
Her role as princess, which is great!

The sofa seems an ideal place
For all parties to touch base.
In no time they create a bond
Invisible but warm and fond!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Votes for Women!

To British Feminists out there
It seems of Votes I now must speak
Because so many of you care
About a special date this week!

Victorian groundswell - discontent
Injustice, women were excluded
The First World War was heaven-sent
In that the ladies felt included!

They played their part and did men's work
While soldiers fought at muddy Front
They rolled their sleeves up, didn't shirk
In terms of grind, they bore the brunt!

Yet had no say in Parliament;
Suffragettes swarmed through the streets
Equality was their intent
Chained to railings; Woman speaks!

The Pankhursts had begun a trend
Which wiped the smile from MPs' faces.
Think Emily Davison's sad end
Crushed under hooves at Epsom Races...

So on sixth of Feb, 1918
The over-thirties got the vote
If graduate or land-owning queen;
Though «Votes for all» remained remote!*

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* All British women over 21 got the vote on 2nd July, 1928.





Emily Davison (1872-1913)

R.I.P. Larissa - Tourist Guide

We had not met for quite a while,
But I recall her haunting smile
Thinner now than in times past
She struggled so with French in class

And longed, like me, to be a guide
So took the two-year course with pride.
We met at CERIA, Anderlecht
Belgium helped us to connect.

«Guides touristiques» is not for all
Though culture held us both in thrall
Art history in the Russian tongue
Put her first foot on the rung.

We shared some notes, prepared our tour
Cold day in Mechelen to explore
But standards in the school were high
For non-French natives, we would try

To do research in different ways;
Sometimes our tutors were amazed!
In 2004 our paths diverged
And new life choices then emerged.

Russian clients took her tours;
We met by chance in Bruges – outdoors
My links with this time now grow faint
Mais c'est la vie – so no complaint.

Yet I was shocked today to see
That Larissa, younger far than me
Will never see a new sunrise
Her death a sudden, sad surprise...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Larissa Starodubtseva: born in the Ukraine - died in Brussels 5.2.2018

On Human Warmth

A Rottweiler bite is in the air
Zero degrees – it isn't fair!
Weird that skin burns in the cold
Our human central heating's old!

Scarves, extra jumpers, gloves and hat
With all these «wrappings», I look fat!
Spring fashions fail to catch my eye
The displays reflect a leaden sky ...

An exchange of views with a dear friend
A lunchtime pause that can extend
Into the fragile afternoon -
Retirement has not come too soon.

Friendship, not food, is the key
A kindred soul will always be
A wondrous balm to heal our soul
And warm our hearts - much more than coal!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

A Case of Blue Tape

Arriving late at rendezvous
Is something that I never do
At least I try to be on time
But sometimes things fall out of line.

Near Avenue Louise today
A roadblock - blue tape - barred our way
Police, polite, won't let us pass
The «Paris terrorist»* at last

Is being brought to trial nearby
So drivers, stuck in traffic, sigh ...
An extreme measure you may say
But remember, just the other day

Belgium in a state of shock
The horror of a room unlocked
Where Julie and Melissa lay
The man who nearly got away ...

Marc Dutroux, vile pedophile,
Escaped police guards for a while**;
Embarrassed – memories are long -
Explain this blue tape and the throng!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Police shoot-out in Rue de Dries, Forest, Brussels in March, 2016, following Paris terrorist attack: 22nd November, 2015

** in April 1998

Feeling Weather-Beaten

The sun fights hard to pierce the cloud
But mist wraps round us like a shroud
Deep puddles mirror barren trees
No snowdrops yet, just chilly breeze...

Morale is low, are you surprised?
How can it be otherwise?
And as for news – both fake and real
It can our happy thoughts soon steal.

Most times I am an optimist
And write down good things on a list
But deaths and drama make the news
And our troubled minds confuse.

So tell me, YOU out on the Net
What is it that makes YOU upset?
Methinks the dampness and cold rain
Is causing Hope to cry in pain!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018