An Intrepid Moth!

My bathroom window – early dawn

Misty view with curtains drawn

Was that a flutter on the pane?

A moth - in dire straits - again!

 

Seduced by morning light outside

It strikes the glass then starts to slide

Alighting on cold window sill;

Confused - quite stunned - the moth lies still.

 

I wonder what thoughts flood its brain

Will it ascend new heights again?

Perhaps it sneaked its way inside

When terrace doors were open wide …

 

No matter, I must solve its plight

One good deed will make things right;

Unlatched, fresh air now billows forth

Darth Vader, wide awake, darts north!

 

Vertical take-off, swoop again;

This needs patience, I refrain

From helping - tough is Nature’s lore …

Success at last – those dusk wings soar!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Sad Tidings from Abroad!

There is nothing I would rather do

Than share a nice hot tea with you

And chat about life, future plans

Or pick up cherished friendship strands.

 

But we have gone in different ways

And now I live beyond the waves …

So sad you are not well; I care!

How can COVID even dare

 

Invade the lives of special friends?

Like Puck, I long to make amends

But our Midsummer’s Dream is past

And health, our treasure to the last,

 

May sometimes falter as we age;

In a flash Fate turns the page!

We do our best, get jabbed, wear masks

This damned pandemic is no farce…

 

Do Those-In-Power know what they do?

Despite all nets, COVID slips through…

My warmest thoughts to you, dear friend

I cross my fingers you'll soon mend!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

For my friend Jacki.

View from Miss Sophie - Avenue Louise

Last dregs of summer, bustling street

Along wide pavements, people meet

The buzz is back, some sun-tanned faces

Office interaction races!

 

Shorts and sandals, painted toes

As street cuisine tempts office beaux

Bright café awnings welcome trade

Louis Samain’s statue* bathed in shade ...

Trimmed lawns with flowerbeds combine

Vast tower with Pop-Art design** …

Most lofty limes now flecked with gold

As yes, the year is growing old…

 

Brazen weeds through tram tracks peep

Despite the constant flow of feet;

My thoughts disturbed by mobile phone

Paused coffee cup -  I’m not alone!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

** Former 25-floor I.T.T. building - decorated by Charles Hargrove, alias Kool Koor, one of the three Ground Up graffiti artists.

* Statue by Louis Samain (1895) - scene from "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Miss Sophie - 505 Avenue Louise

An Intimation ...

As we grow older, by and by

Health issues cause dear friends to die

We too may lose our grip and slide

Still claiming we’re the same “inside”.

 

Celebrities of our young days

Or household names, in this new phase

From stage depart, their roles completed

Their passing often only tweeted…

 

It’s imperceptible at first;

When realisation dawns, it’s worse

Mortality now at us stares

As Time has crept up, unawares…

 

We hold these lost souls in our heart

And, although sad they had to part,

We recall fun times together

Yes, we thought we’d live forever!

 

Meanwhile, the Fates our life-thread weave

We’re pawns; sans clue what’s up their sleeve!

Life bumbles on with merry flow;

Till one day it’s our turn to go …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Writ in Water

It’s the constant rain that gets us down;

Each time that pitter-patter sound

Assails my ears, I heave a sigh

And stare forlornly at the sky…

 

While forests blaze in far-off places

And domes of heat bronze happy faces

Belgians dare not venture out

Without their trusty brolly stout!

 

Grey skies dampen morning mood

Strong feelings, negative, intrude

No wonder we are feeling blue

This August; will the sun peep through?

 

My raincoat rustles with much use

Yet sometimes, I feel a recluse

As constant rains sap threads of joy

And all my social plans annoy!

 

Though window panes are sparkly clean

The pavement puddles form a stream

That carries debris down the hill

Around tall weeds which taunt me still!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

The Book of Exodus

Far-off place in retrograde

Where deathly fear and stress pervade

I shall not mention any names

But world news constantly explains …

 

The plight of those who can’t rely

On government that’s gone awry;

Scenes of panic and despair

As full planes vanish in thin air.

 

No flight from fancy; this is real!

Despite new politicians’ spiel

The West remains quite unconvinced:

Free speech eroded - inch by inch …

 

Not all change is for the best;

Reporters on-the-spot attest

To challenges they now must face

As here the world’s a darker place …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

In the Orange Zone!

I cannot be the only one

To think we are short-changed on sun

While other countries roast alive

Here rain puts weeds in overdrive!

 

Though not a gardener, I enjoy

 Observing nature’s full employ

More seedlings blossom, spurt forth shoots

In no time - tendrils in cahoots…

 

Dormant pots show hopeful signs

As latent growth perks up and shines

While gusts of wind send leaves a-flutter

 And a big red slug basks by my gutter!

 

Morning mists are here once more

Insects pattern trellised wall …

From glass doors I admire the view

As water droplets make plants new!

 

My mauve wisteria blooms decay;

It’s August - they have had their day

But what is this?  A late surprise

Nasturtiums now flash orange eyes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

The EU Digital COVID Certificate

Who dares wins – but is this true?

How many hoops must we leap through

To get our vital COVID pass?

My on-line antics are a farce!

 

We want to travel, take the train

Cross the border, without strain

Get our lives back as before;

But twisty red-tape is a bore.

 

Although I’m double-vaccinated

New admin makes lives complicated

Just word-of-mouth is not enough;

We SMART phone Luddites find it tough!

 

To register “I’m good to go”

On-line’s the thing, not paper flow

Health documents are all fast-track;

Use your “E Box”! But what’s that?

 

My new Card Reader I unpack

From now on I must learn the knack

My USB key slot? Ah, it’s there

But it flashes red, so I despair!

 

Already I’m in overload…

Where did I note down my PIN code?

End-of-my-tether – feeling thwarted;

 But, thanks to a dear friend - all sorted!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Cancer in Leo

No one’s immune from life’s hard knocks:

Yet the unexpected often shocks

Quite numbed by news my friend is ill

My mind’s awash, my heart stands still…

 

How to alleviate her fears?

Ease the burden that she bears

And communicate I understand

And want to share, lend helping hand?

 

Fate tends to strike when least expected

Maybe by routine test detected;

When immune systems won’t behave

We’re buffeted by forceful wave …

 

Deep worry jogs our fragile boat

We brace ourselves to stay afloat;

At times God sends us this harsh trial

To test our mettle for a while…

 

Old certainties seem tinged with grey

We pray this blip has a short stay;

Hope in Pandora’s box shines bright

Rome wasn't conquered overnight ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 Sadly, the Big "C" strikes again... but in éàé' my friend is now in remission ...

The Tyranny of Distance

I miss my little ones so much,

And do my best to stay in touch;

My mind's eye sees them - far away

Wrapped up warm on winter’s day.

 

Australia – lost in southern seas

Fringed by eucalyptus trees:

Modern cities, suburban sprawl

Where creepy-crawlies have a ball -

 

In amazing wilderness outback;

Dirt-track roads, bold railway track

Horizon views of endless sky

Rugged, harsh and drop-dead dry.

 

The landscape seen from airline seat

Is strewn with rocks split in the heat

With rivers far and few between;

In parched terrain, a dry-bed stream…

 

Here global warming is no joke;

Towns may choke to death in smoke!

Aussies cheer days when it’s wet

As drought and fire remain a threat.

With COVID, travel plans are rare;

My little ones, still unaware

Of these concerns, use Daddy’s phone

So, Auntie sees how much they’ve grown!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

At Monarto Zoo

 

A Friday in August

Scattered showers, some warm rays,

While Greece's forests fairly blaze

Do politicians lack real clout?

Is world stability in doubt?

 

What’s this?  New variant* on the way?

Which Greek hieroglyph will play

Its tragic role upon our stage?

Ho-hum, we enter a new phase…

 

Despite strict masks and vaccinations

Chameleon COVID frightens Nations

Some opt to forego quarantine;

Staycations, finding favour, teem!

 

Brussels in the sun is fine

Outside dining - joy sublime!

On cobbled streets, few tourists roam

So, now this city is our own.

 

Time perhaps to BBQ

While dodging raindrops, as you do!

Though not the South of France – agreed;

It’s happiness at slower speed …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Post Delta ...

Musing in August

It’s August – time to muse a while;

Life’s frantic pace is such a trial

We tackle tasks at breakneck speed

To buy more objects than we need …

 

So, I ask myself, as you must too,

Where is it that we’re rushing to?

Cool magic passes by our noses

Why not stop and smell life’s roses?

 

Computers, SMART phones, Instagram

Seem our daily lives to cram;

Yet each one’s clock ticks deftly by

No time, alas, to wonder why…

 

While Eastern mystics understand

True wealth lies not in owning land

Their age-old adage “Less is more”

Brings peace of mind so spirits soar!

 

But modern lives are fuelled by stress;

This impetus means lack of rest

Mad drive for profits quite unchecked,

Result: more health and love lives wrecked!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

The Act of Performance

Enjoy your pleasures, every one

As time is always on the run

Each moment counts, as who can say

What lies in store for us each day?

 

Plain sailing or a stormy sea?

New challenges will always be

Waiting for us in the wings;

Our joys reside in little things:

 

A friendly word, a cup of tea,

A shared walk - in good company

A favourite book, a catchy song;

Warm memories recalled burn strong!

 

Life’s no rehearsal, I’ve heard say

Each has a role in life’s long play

Scenes may be happy, sad or fraught

And yes, tough lessons may be taught!

 

Our acting skills must stand the test

While emotions tend to weld the rest;

How complex is the mind of Man!

We pace ourselves - as best we can!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021