Thomas Figures It Out!

It figures, Thomas loves his sums

It all adds up, this numbers game,

As this aptitude for logic runs

In the family tree – again!

 

While Auntie deals in metaphor,

With clever words her stock-in-trade,

Thomas so loves to explore

How smart equations make the grade!

 

He finds joy in the ‘working out’;

In science all his skills are fine

Maths is precise - no room for doubt;

Will engineering be his line?

 

His brain expands; he takes on board

New challenges, sees them as art;

At eight his learning curve has soared:

A budding Einstein* or Descartes**?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Albert ** René

Black Friday - More Thoughts!

With heavy heart I write these lines

As nights draw in and Christmas chimes

With mad-rush shopping deals at stake:

What price turkeys, mince pies, cake?

 

This year dark shadows cast a pall;

Travel plans for many stall

As a new virus strain arrives

Heralding perhaps lost lives …

 

Stymied, thwarted and frustrated

Festive fun seems overrated

More restrictions tie us down;

Who still wants to ‘paint the town’?

 

This hidden menace won’t let go

The Powers-That-Be detect fast flow!

Whether we are jabbed or not

We cannot seem to stop the rot…

 

Corona loves Black Friday crowds

Super bargains – or black shrouds?

Even those with cash to burn

Hesitate – which way to turn?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Why I Write!

Though rare are those who read my posts,

My inspiration flows and coasts

Round the dark depths of my brain

And forged within, binds a new chain!

 

As links are formed, ideas connect

Some arcane - but what the heck!

I play with words, match up odd sounds:

A pot pourri of verbs and nouns...

 

All minds are wired in complex ways

Knowledge gained creates a maze,

Or crackling fire where sudden spark

Gives birth to poetry – or art!

 

Poets glide o’er common herd

All hopes and dreams like wings on bird

Their aim to waft like magic wand

And journey to the far-beyond!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

 

Rebels with a Cause!

The populace has had enough!

Too much talk of COVID stuff;

Restrictions pile up, we lose track

It’s an enigma we can’t crack!

 

Water cannon, burning cars!

Lack of freedoms is what jars

Dutch riots spread to Brussels streets

Deutschland bans its market treats!

 

Austria – rarely in the news -

This time has trenchant COVID views

As Europe veers a turgid red

And travel plans are shelved instead.

 

Forlorn hope to turn back the clock;

The festive spirit takes a knock

As this pandemic has free 'reign'

And politics is not to blame!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Darkening Shadows

Each day more darkness cloaks the skies

Less sun - so we adjust our eyes

To gloomy mist pierced with bright lights

Fragile magic on cold nights…

Twee Christmas chalets look inviting:

Mulled wine while buying gifts?  Exciting!

From Dilbeek, a majestic fir

Stands lofty guard in Brussels' square!

 

Warm scarves and boots seem de rigueur

In jostling crowds, some sport a fur!

STIB’s buses come and go with ease

The heaters work - we shall not freeze!

 

The new restrictions ardours cool

Should masks now be worn in school?

Where possible, we work from home

For many – too much time alone …

 

Brussels blushes COVID red?

In case of need, is there a bed?

Our nursing staff are under strain

And must we all be jabbed again?

 

Vancouver floods, border controls

For luckless hopefuls the bell tolls;

We grasp life’s nettle but it stings!

Time to pray for better things …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Brussels Christmas Market stalls ....

 

November Nitty-Gritty

When times are tough, the tough get going

Is this true? No way of knowing

But at this juncture thoughts are mixed

With Corona once more up to tricks!

 

It’s the uncertainty that hurts;

Our freedoms fluctuate in spurts

Still mandatory to wear a mask;

For some, this seems too much to ask!

 

The Corona ship needs all aboard

Restrictions must not be ignored

So, socialising is curtailed;

Red measures: take tests and be trailed?

 

Those who yearn for Christmas travel

Find their well-laid plans unravel

It’s hard to know how to proceed

And what news we should believe…

 

The vast array of festive fare

Already dazzles shoppers here

Christmas gifts needs must be found

Tourists though - thin on the ground…

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Dark Rite of Passage

Time tells, and many lose their mate

That special someone who would make

Our mundane lives shine with warm glow,

And smooth the paths where we would go …

 

Nights danced away or breakfasts shared

Always knowing that they cared;

They hugged us tightly, banished stress,

And always acted for the best…

 

Then one cold dawn they slipped away

Leaving us in disarray,

Vanished from our warm embrace

So, memories alone we chase …

 

This year more girlfriends suffer loss

Their lives a challenge, tinged with frost,

Is Time the Healer? Now we know

That this sad, learning curve is slow …

 

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

Harder far to do than say;

For those who pass through this dark door

Life has an edge not felt before …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

What Next?

Monday dawns in pale-blue mist

I punch the air with angry fist

As the erstwhile “nip” becomes a “bite”;

Donning thermals now seems right!

 

Did Glasgow’s COP* wield clout?

Carbon footprints aren’t ruled out;

Of fossil fuels, let us not speak

New declarations - stark and bleak…

 

The poet feels, at times like these,

We cannot see the woods for trees;

A major re-think is required:

Yet, no leaders seem inspired …

 

Rome was not built in a day;

Yet we hesitate to do away

 With cosy lifestyles fuelled by greed

Though we buy more than we need …

 

But global warming is no joke;

Greenhouse gases will provoke

Drought, crop failure, famine, fear

Which seem to worsen, year on year …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* COP 26

Isabella - in Uniform!

Parents - caught in daily whirl

Observe in fleeting snaps their girl

While Brussels Auntie, blessed with time,

Encapsulates it all in rhyme!

 

Pale wisps of fragile dreams give birth

To thoughts of school – more down-to-earth;

At nearly four, dressed cute in blue,

Isabella now leaps through

 

Another hoop, and gently passes

From insouciance – to classes

New band of playmates hove in view

Attired like her in royal blue!

 

Soon Kindy* rules will be enforced

Character-moulding times, of course!

She’ll have to take turns, learn to share

And hold her own, with Mum not there!

 

Yes, a new rite of passage looms!

A learning curve for gentle blooms

It’s here the “Three Rs” will be taught;

On hand - big brother for support!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Eden Hills Kindergarten in South Australia

At the Crossroads

How we would like a life of ease

Away from scandal, greed and sleaze

Yet, barraged by vast media hype

Do we consider what is right?

 

Engulfed these days in deep malaise

Where the superficial plays

A major note in life’s long theme;

We’ve lost the plot; know what I mean?

 

Dark shadows in our mind’s eye play

We chase chimeras, lose our way,

Are ‘talking shops’* the way to go?

The hunt for votes makes progress slow …

 

Autumn, meanwhile, glows with gold

Amazing views, ours to behold!

We meditate - how life is short;

Must all this beauty come to nought?

 

We’re buffeted in life’s fast flow

What lies ahead we cannot know

But survival means a brand-new trail

So, will Common Sense prevail?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* i.e. COP 26 ...

The Fall

Do watch your step! These fallen leaves

Are slippery and Nature grieves;

We sweep them up but every day

Breezes scatter more our way!

 

The atmosphere this autumn - tense

Politicians on the fence

Our planet cries out to be saved:

Myriad good intentions waived …

 

Participation – you-know-where …

Some countries absent – so beware!

Top brass and entourage make moan;

An aide-mémoire:  the world’s on loan!

 

Bites-of-the-apple: twenty-six*

In many fields - so much to fix

In essence we must pull together:

Just another dream endeavour?

 

Today’s youth are concerned and care

Will the cupboard soon be bare?

Yet many lobbies plump for gain 

To perpetrate their gravy train ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

*COP 26 Glasgow - 1-12th November, 2021

 

R.I.P. Lionel Blair (1928-2021)

Celebrities we used to know,

Who made an impact, come and go;

Many forged a household name

With screen, TV or West End fame.

 

Canadian born, tap dancer rare

I speak today of Lionel Blair,

Who entertained and danced on stage

And liked to lie about his age!

 

In the Seventies his star was strong

Seen in “The World of Suzie Wong”,

Then cameo in “A Hard Day’s Night”

With Beatlemania at its height!

 

Energetic, entertaining, cool

 A performer very much old school

His savoir-faire slick and admired

But at 92 – was he retired?!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Born: Henry Lionel Ogus on 12th December, 1928

Isabella Tries to Wing It!

Auntie, once again bemused,

Admires her wee niece who’s enthused

By wonderful and pretty things

And won’t set out without her wings!

 

Round Mum’s apron strings she goes

As toddlerhood draws to a close …

Our Boadicea wields some clout

And loves authority to flout!

 

Allowed for now to dance in pink

She’s unaware she’s on the brink

Of a world where rules apply

And fairy wings must be put by!

 

In this new stage, school will be key

And uniforms may have to be

Worn so pupils look the same;

Methinks this rebel will complain!

 

No angel, Isabella tries

To be the centre of all eyes

This sense of style, in one so young:

A certain sign of life to come!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021