In Triplicate

Sad news never comes alone

But makes our hearts sink like a stone;

Two kind men whom I used to know

By anno domini laid low…

 

Then a dear friend in brief call

Says she is not well at all;

COVID-diagnosed so she

Warns all friends to cautious be.

 

We wear our masks, do what is right

To keep at bay this evil sprite

And yet, despite our utmost care,

It hangs around in autumn air…

 

The helter-skelter of our lives

Makes us careless; no surprise

This semi-freedom now allowed

Means danger lurks in every crowd …

 

We long to strut our stuff outside

Live as before, enjoy the ride

But now is not the time, I fear

In choppy waters we still steer …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

In the DreamTime!

This year rolls on - in fits and starts

But separations damage hearts;

COVID threats keep friends apart

Life trips on but loses spark…

 

On Skype and Face-Time we can go

And screen-converse, but well we know

That this makes I.T. tech firms flow,

And is, at best, a hollow show…

 

But think of it - how far we’ve come

Since telephones were Number One

With telex and H.D. T.V.,

With many on-line calls now “free”!

 

When we’re confined to our home base,

Less time is lost in mad rat-race

But is it stress-free? That I doubt...

Without our colleagues, we miss out …

 

Though many work long hours on line

In theory, Folks, we’ve more free time!

 How smart are those who scroll down screen

To sunny South Sea isles – and dream!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

A Never-Ending Task!

Flamboyant tree flares make me gasp

What more could an artist ask?

Russet red, deep ochre, yellow

A vibrancy which calms, makes mellow…

 

No photograph can quite convey

These magic views which banish grey;

What’s not to marvel? Golden rays

Add sparkle to our shorter days!

 

Pale ‘mists’ and ‘fruitfulness’ delight

John Keats captured autumn right!

 How Mother Nature spoils us all

With lush ripe berries on each stall…

 

Wild movement in the air disturbs

As falling leaves confuse the birds;

Our lawns, like carpets, must be swept

Yet every day more leaves collect!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Breaking Waves

Do we plunge into fourth wave?

This dratted virus* won’t behave

Gung-ho, it takes up precious room;

Perhaps we’ve dropped our guard too soon?

 

Invisible, it finds a way

To make our social lives decay;

Freedom-loving, we’re assailed

Constantly, routines derailed!

 

Though not the Black Death (which was worse),

It is acclaimed by all, a curse;

Many step out cloaked in fear

For some, what hope of Christmas cheer?

 

Meanwhile, these Autumn colours glow

And spoil us with their splendid show

Each nature walk affords us joy

Chasing out thoughts which annoy!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* COVID

Rhyme and Reason

Love’s magic fights to stay the course

With routine blunting its first rays

The trials we face, alas, perforce

Can waft cool winds on sunny days…

 

That life’s a trial is often said

Though blessed with moments of great joy

On eggshells one must sometimes tread;

Weird behaviour can annoy…

 

Tough challenges can hone our skills

We juggle free time and career

As golden moments still give thrills

And mean the world to those held dear.

 

The poet’s brief throughout all time

Is to make sense of our lives

In poignant and emotive rhyme;

With fingers crossed - our love survives!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

An Overnight Stay

We take for granted kith and kin;

That when we need them, they’ll be in

That always they'll be by our side

To calm life's sometimes bumpy, ride …

 

Our hearts seem eager to believe

That other Nations sometimes grieve

For loss of loved ones, but not us

Our long-lived Head of State* – a plus!

 

So, a newsflash stops us in our tracks

The royal mirror shows small cracks

In the wake of BREXIT and face masks

Health for the Queen is a big ask.

 

The status quo is an illusion

Uncertainties reign in profusion

‘The Sun’ has spilled the beans and so

We wonder what else we should know…

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Queen Elizabeth II (aged 95) was taken to King Edward VII's private hospital on 20th October, 2021 for "preliminary tests".

The Queen died on 8th September, 2022

 

The Human Condition

“Love’s all you need”, the Beatles said;

This trite refrain runs through my head

As I think of many in dire need

With only hope on which to feed …

 

As human beings, life is tough;

Some, of course, have quite enough

While others struggle, feel rejected,

 Are challenged, lonely, disconnected…

 

“Life isn’t fair!”, I hear you say;

But inequality today

Is blatant, global and unending:

To what future are we tending?

 

Our badly-treated world complains

With excessive drought and rains!

We’re out of whack and out of sync …

What will later ages think?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

I Don't Get It!

Lack of truck drivers causes stress;

What’s with this mad rush to possess?

With COVID-time to contemplate

Such buying frenzies fail to sate…

 

My two feet do not need more shoes;

Well-lit displays are just a ruse

To get us into fashion stores;

Do I rebel without a cause?

 

Light summer garb now cast aside

We wrap up warmly when outside

And nothing daunted, done by halves:

I turf out all my gloves and scarves!

 

My favourite woollens I can tell

Still soft and cosy, serve me well.

While long-sleeved roll-necks and blue jeans

Mean happiness on slender means!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

Scattered Thoughts

In Oslo, archer* on rampage

Will “Shot by arrow!” make front page?

What prompted this barbaric act?

Unsuspecting shoppers to attack …

 

At 90, Captain Kirk** appears

To travel boldly to new spheres;

Views from Outer Space appeal

No TV series this - it’s real!

.

Young couples in Australia moan

Few can now afford first home;

Container ships pile up, unloaded

Long Beach and L.A. have imploded!

 

In Rue des Bouchers, all is quiet;

No, Brussels isn’t on a diet

But its clientele was kept at bay

Due to protracted COVID stay…

 

Those boarded frontages look sad,

Lost, the “joie de vivre » they had;

We had it all once, for the taking;

Now, to a new world, we’re waking!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Rue des Bouchers, Brussels - 2021

* Espen Andersen Bråthen in Kongsberg - 5 deaths.

* William Shatner

Puzzlement

I am curious; Who reads my rhymes

Sparked by events inspiring lines

Which test the waters we wade through;

Who knows where we’re headed to?

 

Big Brother, Orwell’s stark creation,

Unhindered, without hesitation,

Pokes his nose in private mails

And censorship, alas, prevails.

 

But the pen is mightier than the sword!

If we say something untoward

Some robot, unmanned, quite remote

Decides our ideas must not float!

 

Hence ‘free speech’ is a big misnomer

As a mysterious “Persona

Non Gratia” skims such texts when aired;

Democracy is running scared…

 

Despite restrictions, Poets dare

To voice what many want to hear;

The price they pay for this is steep

Oblivion and troubled sleep!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

COP et al.

Brussels, Sunday: centre ville

Vast demonstration, if you will

As thousands, pent up with frustration,

March with banners from North Station.

 

Foregoing many sunny pleasures,

The masses clamour for new measures

To curb the speed of climate change

An iffy challenge to arrange…

 

Huge vested interests are at stake;

The electric car has yet to make

Sufficient impact on shrewd minds;

Higher fuel bills, troubled times!

 

As queues at forecourts impact travel

Supplies for UK’s food unravel;

Will Russia Europe’s needs still meet?

Flights over Taiwan – source of grief…

 

Keen travellers can return in scores

As Sydney bravely opens doors;

While Melbourne, cautious, stays locked-down

So, it’s tough to get around!

 

Tense fierce debates in Glasgow loom

Will COP* bring hope or gloom?

Alas, we have no crystal ball;

Let's pull together, one and all!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* = Conference of the Parties

At Middleton - South Australia

‘Twixt Goolwa and Port Elliot lies

This destination with blue skies

On the Fleuriau coastline in S.A.

Where my little ones explore today.

 

Australia’s vast and rugged coast

(29,000 miles at most!)

Is uncrowded, colourful and wild:

What intrepid forays for a child!

With navy hat worn in the sun,

Thomas loves to climb and run

While Isabella, pink and pert,

Feels a pair of wings won’t hurt!

 

By muddy pools and crashing waves

Forgotten are the many graves

Of ships that never made these shores;

“Big Island” still these deaths deplores …

 

But at Middleton today it’s calm;

With parents keeping them from harm

An excursion planned, all four together

New idyll crowned with sunny weather! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Consternation!

Is this the thin end of the wedge?

The world in peril, on the edge

Of changes no one can reverse?

Huge demands on public purse!

 

Will demonstrations do much good?

There are so many things we should

Consider now: gas, heat and light:

No one wants a sharp cost hike!

 

Seven parties rule the Belgian Nation

So consensus causes consternation;

“Brol à la Belge !*” the daily cry

And yet, somehow, we all get by!

 

I cast my mind out for good news

Or, at least, some hopeful views

But much is mired in discontent:

The Church in France in tatters rent!

 

Glitches on our Facebook feed

Injustice, profiteering, greed;

Mismanagement at the controls

Mankind trembles … the bell tolls!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Typical Belgian mess

Outage Outrage!

Hordes use Facebook to engage;

When it went dark, squeals of outrage

As the six-hour silence* bred much doubt

When employees also were locked out!

 

Some internal issue - or a bug?

With social media the new drug

With Instagram and WhatsApp, Guys,

The Facebook family runs young lives!

 

So, panic stations! Sweat and tears

As this fiasco fuels new fears

All untoward, we can’t connect;

Do gremlins rule the Internet?

 

This glitch of course makes headline news

As attempts to log on are refused;

Addicted to this box of tricks

Its users yearn for a quick fix!

 

Our giant, bless him, has clay feet!

Nerds around the world compete

To get their show back on the road …

We harboured thoughts all would implode!

 

This hiccup caused a wave of grief

Now billions breathe sighs of relief!

Today - no ripples on the screen

All back to normal, it would seem …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* 16-22h October 4th, 2021

A Local Disappointment

A hopeful date down Boitsfort way

Fun jumble* sale planned for today

Of items we no longer use

With hope new owners will enthuse!

 

As we lie on an occluded front

Poor Brussels often bears the brunt

Of this ever-changing weather

At events where people get together.

 

Near Wiener, street-plots are marked out

Where pre-loved items lie about

Desiring happy homes to find

At prices nobody will mind!

 

Long racks of clothes or once-read books:

A Brussels’ version of a souk!

Early punters should stroll past

In search of bargains spotted fast!

 

To make more space, cars must give way

Parking not allowed today

Our bus route** by the STIB curtailed

But so far, rainfall has prevailed!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Known locally as a Brocante

** The N°17