Carrot and Pumpkin

More leaves lie scattered on the ground
A hustling breeze rips each tree's gown
Amid the raindrops insects crawl
And the sad result is terrace sprawl.

Swept up and tidied – who would know?
One day on – the same old show!
That's Autumn's challenge every year
Chaos in this misty sphere.

We rug up well, as Aussies say,
The chill now with us every day
Although, and here I must be fair,
The burnished sun still warms the air.

Coral, orange, mustard, brown
All fashion tones on sale in town
I flick through racks of fast-made clothes
Pumpkin and carrot shades in droves!

In crowded metros I observe
That boots and sturdy shoes now serve
The Brussels early morn commute
Perhaps I too should follow suit!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Keyboard Magic

The poet's life's a lonely one
Trapped behind computer screen
While fingers tap out random thoughts
In a weird hypnotic dream...

In altered consciousness, the mind
Brings themes and feelings to the fore
Memories once left behind
Bounce onto the pitch – and score!

Scandals, celebs and fake news
Sweet beauty of an autumn day
Humour or some trenchant views
All form rhymes on my display.

I never know what I shall write
Or in what mood each day I'll be
But the wording seems to turn out right
And the person most surprised is – me!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

On the Change

As the nights draw in, gold leaves detach
From wind-blown trees and quickly catch
The gusts that daily whirl and sway
Making pretty patterns down my way.

No blue skies beam overhead
Summer sandals cast off, put to bed
A nice warm coat to ward off chills
But walking in the wood still thrills.

Misty damp in wooded glade
Cheeky mushrooms on parade
Dappled sunlight through beech trees
Renoir loved such sights as these.

Time passes and we're on the turn
Insects shiver under fern
Dripping brollies in the hall
Billowing scarves in sight once more!

Ripe pickings now it's harvest time
The joy of log fires and mulled wine
As the birds fly southwards to the sun;
Summer, bags packed, starts to run!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Losing our Grip?

We flounder - more bad news and worse
Should politics inspire my verse?
Wild nature has her role to play:
Storms wreak havoc Hong Kong way ...

Venezuela suffers from inflation
Yet its oil reserves top every nation
The migrant crisis – the world's worst?
Financially, the bubble's burst!

More rich and famous leave the scene:
Like Jean Piat* - famed for roles on screen ...
It's human nature - bad news sells
And disasters titillate brain cells...

Work and cell phones make us fraught
Must common courtesy be taught?
We complain in droves that we've no time
But then spend many hours on line ...

A friend said he could not recall
How he spent his time before
The advent of broadband P.C.
How many others think like he?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018



Typhoon Mangkhut, Hong Kong

* French actor - 1924-2018

We are Not Alone!

Must 'mindfulness' be taught in school?
Social awareness makes life cool
But kids, bemused by Internet
Lack human contact and forget

The virtual world is just not real;
How can we to their minds appeal?
We're a crowded planet, short of space
But everyone needs their own place.

Facts, figures, Instagram and 'phones
Penetrate en masse our homes
Personal relationships are fraught
How to behave, if we're not taught?

The «Think of others» seems to be
A cast-aside philosophy
The individual reigns supreme
Old fashioned courtesy – a dream...

With I.T. gems we flood our plate
But something's lost – we can't relate
Encouragement and self-esteem
Used to make a happy team ...

Schoolkids in playgrounds today
Though savvy in a brand-new way
Miss human warmth inside their bubble;
If we don't 'mind' them, «Bonjour trouble!»

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

A Snapshot of Aix-en-Provence

Each mansion built in ochre stone
Was a quintessential Frenchman's home
Proud, though fragile, faded splendour
In this city warm and tender.

Sparkling fountains cool the air
Shady plane trees everywhere
Cafés crowded, smiling faces
Lavender in - unlikely places.

Aix – small in size but big on Art
Saint Sauveur at its Roman heart
Stained-glass that visitors admire
Five centuries gaze from lofty spire!

Down narrow, flagstone streets, cute shops:
Soaps, olive oil and flowers in pots
While markets buzz in morning light
Kaleidoscopes of fruit delight!

The sound of church bells, laughing voices
Provence cuisine means tempting choices
Café crème or rosé wine
Carafes of water when you dine.

September heat, hats still a must
Dappled sunshine - warm at dusk
Then Cézanne's city, like a hive
With swarms of tourists comes alive!

King René's students study law;
Extensive roadworks are a bore
Re-routing means in time there'll be
Electric buses – diesel-free!

Musée Granet: Roman finds
Bold paintings from medieval times
Three fountains grace Cours Mirabeau
Where once fine carriages would go...

Reflections on a bygone age
With Louis XIV centre stage.
Now in Gothic chapel – there's Picasso!
So sad the traffic's such a hassle ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Who Are You?

I enjoy a mystery – don't we all?
Agatha Christie – Queen of Thrall!
But here's one I did not expect
Linked to my blog upon the Net.

The workings of «Blogspot» reveal
Lands to whom my rhymes appeal
They list them and compute their views
It's fascinating! People choose

To have a daily «fix» on line
By clicking on my cheeky rhyme!
But now a mystery has occurred
This list includes a line absurd.

An 'Unknown Region'* comes on screen
So which country does this mean?
Could it be a brand-new Nation:
Antarctica or Lunar Station?

Is the visitor a «He» or «She»?
For several weeks now I can see
This Unknown Region's come on board;
So welcome to you, I have scored!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Now designated simply as "Other".

The Poise of Isabella

Isabella in the pink with toys!
Rugged up in woollen mini-fleece
That cheeky look will please the boys
Oh, I'm so proud of my wee niece!

Not yet a year but poignant gaze
Alert, attentive and aware
She has reached that touching phase:
«Reach out and grab» whatever's there!

So why lie still upon a rug
While Mummy gets on with the chores
When looking cute brings on a hug?
Soon she'll be crawling on all fours!

So much to see, explore and learn
With what skills is she endowed?
In each new picture I discern
Her ability to please a crowd.

She stares the camera in the eye
Taking up a perfect pose
It's natural, there's no need to try
Innate ability just shows!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Turning Over a New Leaf - or Two?

Language, like a tree, just grows
Its roots sink deep and each branch knows
That little saplings shoot out big
And leaves will sprout on every twig.

Words alter meaning or decay
While neologisms come our way
Acronyms hove in view
Crafting words completely new!

Millennial chat on social media
Needs its own encyclopedia
Today two new word-leaves unfurled
Keeping pace with this mad world.

Our old friend BREXIT was described
As an 'omnishambles' nation-wide
The UK's politics are fraught
So a special term was sought.

'BrINO' seems to fit the bill;
'BREXIT in Name Only' will
Cause more confusion and more fuss
So – what will become of us?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Thoughts on the 94 Tram

I alighted from bus 42*
Road works continue; to get through -
One must tread on broken bricks,
By twisted cables, trucks and skips.

With time to spare, Place Payfa seems
Quieter, though the tram track gleams
But “all change!” in September time
When the tram link meets the Metro line.

From where I stand outside the bank
The loop of track looks sad and blank
Soon it will be gone; instead
More cars will park on cobbled bed.

The changes come so thick and fast
Le Vieux Boitsfort** has breathed its last
More modest now and cheaper far
It’s lost its precious Michelin star.

1994 comes straight to mind.
It was hot in August when we dined
With special friends on wedding day.
These memories seem so far away.

And the 94 stays in my sights
On the Boulevard the crowd delights
In this glossy, futuristic tram
Which speeds through Boitsfort with élan!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Routes have changed since 2006 and since 29th September 2018
the 94 has been prolonged to 'Roodebeek' and changed its number to 8!

** Now known as "Mamie Louise"

Scroll-free September?

Time, like water, can't be held
It flows regardless, can't be quelled
We do our best – each gets his share
But time to call «our own» is rare.

Tasks and obligations fill
Our working days; hence free time: nil
Then friends and family pinch the rest
If we've 5 minutes – we are blessed.

We rise at dawn, work at top speed
Always someone in great need
We'd like to stop and smell a rose
Take stock perhaps - but on life goes...

Must we always be on call?
There is an «off switch» after all!
«Scroll-free September» might be fun
But ponder this, will work be done?

Can we survive without the Net?
So much is on line – and yet
Some jobs survive computer-free
Guides - like me - use memory!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Evelyne and the Plums!

I meet my neighbour on the bus
Last stop, so there is only us
She smiles as we sit down together
We comment on the lovely weather.

It's warm and I've just done a tour
A lovely cup of tea's in store.
Happiness just sometimes comes:
She offers me her glut of plums!

The jam boils as I sip my tea
I think, how lucky can I be?
Chopped and simmered there's a lot
So tomorrow – I'll give her a pot!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Thoughts on 1st September

September starts in burnished sun
Last weekend before school run
Swarms of tourists in the streets
With clicking selfies, gooey treats!

Smart evening classes advertised
Brocantes – a chance for lucky buys?
Seasonal posters for new plays
The cultural offers here - amaze!

Parched yellow hedgerows gone at last
As rain has now revived the grass
Blue sky with ne'er a cloud in place
Yes, Brussels has a smiley face!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018