Isabella in the Nativity Play

In the razzmatazz of Christmas time
Forget mad shopping done on line
It's back to basics, the school play
With the Holy Trio on display:

Three wise men (assorted sizes);
Who will bear the Star that rises?
Cute angels - all with tinsel wings
And a useful choir that sings.

But the shepherds play a vital role
They see the Star, are on a roll
In this year's flock – a special treat
Isabella - cast as fluffy sheep!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Continuum ...

At this time, fourteen years ago,
I was apprehensive, feeling low
The chilliness was in my heart
My Love was ill, we soon would part.

All summer there had been small clues
Then his doctor voiced the news
The dreaded 'C' had gone too far
His T-cells, weakened, could not spar ...

Against a backcloth of despair
He was taken into care
An ambulance drove to our door
Our neighbours wanted to know more ...

But I, bereft, could not face life
Without this man, a saddened wife;
Inexorably the days flew by
In anxious visits; I would try

Some precious hours with him to spend
But was not with him at the end;
In one month all my joy departed
Leaving me quite broken-hearted...

But now I look back on this time
And make my peace with this short rhyme
'Cos this is life, we all drift through
Life continues – we must too ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

BREXIT or Never on a Sunday

Recession looms – more rise and fall
How the BREXIT talks appall
New Brussels summit; one too many?
Roundtables cost a pretty penny ...

As we jumped off the Euro-train;
This chassé-croisé is a strain
Controls at borders, more red tape
It really is so hard to take.

Confusion reigns, that much is clear
What happens now in March next year?
The business world is up in arms
In many sectors – red alarms.

Keep fishing rights? Yes to free trade
Gibraltar tiptoes, I'm afraid
The E.U. poised upon the brink:
Shall we float or shall we sink?

Politics – that tricky game
In different guises still the same
Has the love affair with Europe died?
What if the Referendum lied?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

An Experience!

We all surged forward through the door
To join more crowds in busy store
The barricades (roadworks again)
Made queuing lengthy – and a pain...

The buzz was deafeningly loud
At all the stands a frantic crowd
Whose grabbing hands upset displays
The result? Clothes in a hopeless maze.

My friend, determined, strode ahead
Found jeans she wanted; I was led
To the check-outs – there were five
I thought of busy bees in hive...

Alas, despite my iron will
I grabbed some items near the till;
Black Friday bargains, dare I say
Shucks, I bought more than food today!

This 'shop-until-you-drop' – big spend
Makes discounts somehow a new trend
But what of those who make these clothes?
The High Street rarely thinks of those...

I name no names, but fast and cheap
Is how fashion goes this week
Profits pared down to the bone;
Perhaps I should have stayed at home!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

To Flirt or Not to Flirt?

People watching is such fun
Most, lost in their bubbles, come
Into my vision unawares
We briefly share our lives – with stares ...

Although discreet, I take a chance
And momentarily sneak a glance
At those who cross my path en ville:
A chance encounter is a thrill!

Most, of course, don't meet my gaze
The damned phone dominates their days;
Are they chatting to their friends,
Or talking business? It depends ...

The printed word is all but gone
A few, engrossed in books, read on
Some have a fractious child in tow
But most are busy, on the go.

It's rare indeed to catch the eye
Of those around us; should I try?
Social media is too much!
What happened to the human touch?

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

The Treachery of Translation

The E.U. buzzes every day
Adapting speeches that convey
From a vast and never-ending pile
Linguistic nuances of style.

Mass Eurobabble, Eurospeak ...
Let's take the BREXIT Deal this week:
500* pages to convert
A monumental task of work!

No doubt about it – this is Art
A talent culture can impart;
A wayward comma, mis-used word
Could make the end result – absurd!

But the real challenge comes with verse
Artful wording makes it worse
As metaphors are honed with skill
Their double-meanings never still.

In another tongue the rhyme is lost
Or the meaning kept, but at a cost.
Translations take on a new guise
Resulting in - a compromise!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* 585 pages to be exact!

Over a Cuppa!

What nicer than a cup of tea
That you, dear friend, can share with me?
While we wait for it to brew
We chat together, me and you.

There's no theme we can't discuss:
Why politics is so much fuss
The cost of living – sharp tax hikes
Should we abandon cars for bikes?

Emotions, some new family drama
The re-election of Obama
The grim futility of war
Refugees, the urban poor.

Meanwhile, our tea is piping hot
We pour it gently from the pot
And enjoy its calming, warm delight
Contemplating the world's plight...

Humans suffer, plagued with doubt;
How will the BREXIT deal work out?
What tricks has Nature up its sleeves?
Time perhaps to read - tea leaves ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Cave Canem! A Cautionary Tale

Dogs are Man's best friend? Perhaps ...
Sometimes, though, they're known to lapse
As a friend of mine* became the bait
Of an angry wolfhound in a state.

Passers-by in great alarm
At the giant bite marks on his arm;
This unexpected gory vision
Evoked an A&E decision.

Thank goodness arteries were spared;
His wife, of driving somewhat scared,
Drove safely there down a dark lane
And got her courage back again.

This nasty shock upset their day
But she, without fear, drives away
He, bandaged, as the pain subsides,
Thinks: «Cave Canem» still applies!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* a certain Bob Steen.



Mosaic in the Poet's House, Pompeii

R.I.P. Spider-Man (1922-2018)

In Manhattan, Upper West Side, born
He saw the Great Depression spawn
Unemployment, lack of funds
In a Nation suffering from the glums.

This prolific writer ran
With characters like Spider-Man
Whose Red-and-Blue form hit the screens
And fired up many children's dreams

Exciting plots flowed from his pen:
Dare Devil, Iron Man, X-Men,
Captain America, Doctor Strange
Formed his most amazing range.

Excitement promised on the cover
A world of action like no other
His complex story lines inspired
His artists to keep pace, though tired!

Son of a Romanian refugee
Known by the public as Stan Lee*
He's left us now - aged 95
But his genius comic books survive!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

* Born Stanley Martin Lieber on 28th December, 1922



Spider-Man created 1962

The Armistice - 100 Years On

To catch the mood is not a given
How can I your day enliven?
My daily posts, some old, some new
Tempt a bunch of you to view!

You wonder what theme sparks my muse
I admit it's sometimes hard to choose:
A special date, event, disaster
As this world spins ever faster ...

I try to keep my topics light
Positive spins provide delight
But sadness sometimes plays a role;
This weekend many bells will toll

Recalling those who gave their lives
In World War I's vast sacrifice
One hundred years right to the day
The Armistice came into play...

Dame War exacted a huge cost
A bright young generation lost
From many nations; modern powers
Meet up and reflect - with flowers.

Red poppies, symbols of the dead
In huge displays; where soldiers' tread
In Flanders' fields or on the Somme
Was omnipresent - hear birdsong ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Roses in November?

Damp pavements, leaf-confetti strewn
Blue bags await the bin platoon
November bluster on parade
Brollies temptingly displayed.

Huge trucks bring St. Nick to the shops
Poverty consumption mocks
Cars brake and vroom at traffic lights
This poet seeks more tender sights ...

And then I spot one – my heart glows
In windswept garden – one pink rose ...
It's fragile beauty, proud and bold
Paves my homeward walk with gold!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Mid-Term Elections USA

Mid-term elections – USA:
Anticipation all the way
Unrest, distrust, hope, gloom or doom
An excited buzz sweeps each Press Room.

Republicans and Democrats
Names involving changing hats
The country finds itself divided
As trade has picked up and provided.

There are many issues on the table:
Southern caravans are able
To upset the apple cart
A wall of bricks? When can we start?

Lies and truths fight side by side
November 6th – a bumpy ride
What really makes the U.S. rock?
Will Common Sense come out on top?

Tariff barriers cause trade waves
The deck seems stacked with many knaves
What this roll of the dice will be
Europe, poised, awaits to see ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018



2022 - what changes?

A Cuddly Twosome

Thomas, keen to please the crowd,
Holds Isabella, he is proud
With hidden strength and careless grace
To show he cares, glib smile on face.

Our sweet bundle now grows tall
He has to watch out she won't fall
But Hey! She takes it in her stride
With big brother by her side.

Across the globe I watch them grow
Family videos now show
Their daily lives in sunny climes
Inspiring Auntie's little rhymes.

Hugs and cuddles mean a lot
My tiny blooms outgrow their pot
Thomas, serious, at school
While Isabella plays it cool.

Oz gives such a sunny start
To these twin treasures of my heart;
But in whose footsteps will they tread?
Who can know what lies ahead...

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

Isabella Meets the Panda

Her cheery smile a clever ploy
Isabella rocks and rolls with joy
With heartbeat from his mistress, lies
A black-white panda with bold eyes.

Symbol of the Chinese state
A treasured emblem, fragile fate,
Endangered and World Wildlife connected
By Isabella well protected.

My gem of a niece grows strong
In 11 months, she's come along
I've seen her sit, but not yet stand
No doubt she has this step in hand!

In a video she vocalised;
Her brother spoke and she replied
Agreed, it was just one short sound,
But in terms of progress, one great bound!

(c) Poet in the woods 2018

The Day of the Fatted Calf!

'Alone' and 'lonely' aren't the same
As time all-to-oneself is good
But not all children now can claim
A special friendship from childhood.

With all our gadgets and Smart phone
Our virtual world is full of 'friends'
But switched off, we feel quite alone
Silence breeds depression trends.

Is this the paradox in play?
As normal human links fall short
Fewer family meals today
Togetherness more rare and fraught?

All the young now have a phone
To keep in touch via mini-screen
But keyboards really can't atone
For the loneliness of modern teen.

Was it better in the past
When group activities were shared?
Love blossomed on the dance floor fast
You met up knowing someone cared...

All progress has a darker side
Outdoor sports show a decrease
Millennials like to stay inside
And, worryingly, become obese.

(c) Poet in the woods 2018