Pelé and Vivienne

Death comes when you expect it least;

Today we learn, between-two-feasts*,

That Brazil is now in mourning

As its post-Pelé world is dawning …

World-class supremo of The Ball

Major hero - ten-feet tall

Deep in the hearts of all fans held

At 80 by the ‘Big C’ felled …

 

Followed one day later by

Bold fashion icon; a far cry

From convention, O.B.E.

Vivienne Westwood, Punk Queen Bee…

 

It’s always too soon when sink low

Famous names we used to know

But as they join the stars above

We can remember them with love …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Christmas and New Year

born Edson Arantes do Nascimento (1940--2022)

 

Vivienne Westwood  (1941-2022) 

A Look-Back at 2022

 As the year draws to a close, it feels

Time to rewind top news reels

And think about what has occurred:

Good, bad, ugly - and plain weird!

 

New Belgian astronaut* in space!

Some Eurocrats have been disgraced

Regimes strict silence dissent  

Yet zero-COVID rules relent…

 

Most music now is streamed on line;

Should fireworks be banned this time

With heightened air pollution worries?

And what of Uri’s** fierce snow flurries?

 

Man has made progress, it is true

On vaccines, smart inventions too

But famine, war and lust for power

Still challenge us at every hour!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

* Raphael Liegeois, from Namur, on 24.11.22 

** Canton of Switzerland - in the Alps

A Boxing Day Meditation

With the frantic pace of life today

Deep thoughts don’t often find a way

To penetrate our ‘frothy’ lives

What’s superficial, though, survives!

 

Yet Life’s great questions cause me Angst;

To whom (or what) should we give thanks

For our precious time on earth?

What have we achieved since birth?

 

Amassed great wealth?  A shallow goal;

Have we made peace with our soul?

Have we brought light to dark places*

Bringing smiles to saddened faces?

 

Think climate change: we’re in this boat

Struggling hard to stay afloat …

Vain promises won’t get things solved

Time’s short – we need to get involved!

 

East-West relations drag on - strained

Bold viruses can’t be contained;

So, as this year draws to a close,

It’s hard to see ‘La vie en rose’ …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* one of the themes of King Charles III's first Christmas Message.

 

Christmas Eve Blues

It’s Christmas Eve:  I ring dear friends

But all are busy or away

This winter, I observe new trends:

Torrential rains, no snow, no sleigh…

 

Dolce far niente now takes root

Should I deck my halls with holly?

In frosty wood, I hear owls hoot

And ponder on commercial folly.

 

Rail and postal strikes make news

A freezing onslaught hits the States!

While supermarkets see huge queues

As Belgians rush to fill their plates!

 

I miss Australia and the sun

But here I stay in rain and wet

Missing annual family fun

But such is life, so I reflect …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

For Isabella - at 5!

I blink my eyes; can it be real?

Becoming five is a big deal.

Isabella’s talent clearly shows

No flies on this sweet tippy-toes!

 

It’s party time – no doubt a cake

Will be on hand to celebrate

The sixty months since Mummy’s dream

Came true – and such fun it’s been!

 

An active Miss in every way

Who paints bright colours on life’s grey

A precious gem we all adore

Who steps up to the plate – and more!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

 

 

The Ever-Spinning Wheel!

Short days, long nights – our winter fate

When animals can hibernate;

But ‘blessed’ with artificial light,

We humans set to when it’s night!

 

Though an invasive chill pervades

All hope of lying-in soon fades

As 24/7 can attest

Computers forego thoughts of rest!

 

Our biorhythms are upset

We crave more sleep than we can get

Nerves pulled taut are daily frayed

The workforce, en masse, feels betrayed.

 

Smart phone usage is extreme

Millennials know what I mean!

With deadlines missed it’s not surprising

Accidents occur when driving.

 

Reduced time off? Utopian deal;

So, is our life a hamster wheel

Which over time spins ever faster?

Beware of crash, burn and disaster!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

Holly, Snow Scene and Robins!

Christmas joy amid the slush!

Such fun when dear friends get in touch

A pile of cards and the heart sings

Sweet pleasures found in little things!

 

Sure, it’s trendy to use Internet,

But there’s a feeling of regret

Though fast, efficient, in-your-face

It doesn’t cause the heart to race…

 

Tacked to a list on someone’s mail

In terms of personal touch – a fail!

We’re not just numbers, we’re unique

So, snail mail cards are a real treat.

 

The hectic pace of life today

Is spiced with strikes which cause delay

So sadly, despite best intentions,

It’s easy to forego conventions …

 

Less holly, snow scene, Christmas Tree …

As rare are cards now sent to me

But I treasure those which still arrive

Let’s hope this custom can survive!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Cold Comfort Food!

This cold is not conducive

To walks in winter sun

But the Malls are warmly heated

So, shopping can be fun…

 

While tinselled decorations

Seem garish in hard times,

Tasty, sinful edibles

Mean punters form long lines!

 

Caviar and lobster bisque

Vanish from the shelves

With pink champagne - not to be missed -

How we enjoy ourselves!

 

Be-ribboned gifts in cellophane

Appeal to jaded eyes,

Thoughts averted from Ukraine

And Qatar World Cup guys …

 

Mad rush to garner goodies;

Thinks: will there be enough?

Belgium: land of foodies

Awash with deluxe stuff!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

 

 

Meanwhile, in Qatar ...

As Football sets the world alight

It occurs to me this theme is ripe;

Overwhelming sporting pages,

For a month the World Cup rages!

 

Soon gripping Nations’ on-line News

And giving rise to trenchant views

Matches by these chosen teams

Entertain - the stuff of dreams.

 

Excitement! Let the good times roll!

As Quarter-Finals take their toll

Four Nations tumble at last fence

Qatar’s atmosphere – intense!

 

Nail-biting time for magic ball!

Enthusiasts are held in thrall;

This once-in-four-years' heady mix

Ensures that keen lads get their kicks!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 World Cup 2022: 20th November - 18th December

Argentina beat France to win the World Cup on 18th December, 2022

Foggy Thoughts

As winter forms its mystic maze

Fog rolls in - in pearly waves

A silent blanket has been spread

It’s hard to see the road ahead …

 

Imperceptible at first, comes Dawn

Of her golden sandals shorn

Wreathed in cloak of tattered grey

Her hair uncombed, in disarray…

 

The street lamps catch her silhouette,

Indistinct, bedraggled, wet …

The Snow Queen’s clearly on her way;

Her pal Jack Frost has plans to stay!

 

Our narrow streets, all clothed in white,

Are, when pristine, a fine sight

But black ice threatens the unwary

As Nature’s skating rinks are scary!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Fôret de Soignes

Thomas - The New Scout!

Thomas, kitted out in style

Has not featured for a while,

But now behold him, proud and smart

Off for his first scouting lark!

 

A camping trip, away from home

Where he will make strides on his own

His parents stand back in the wings;

For him the thrill of brand-new things!

 

Like pitching tents and billy tea

Spotting native bird and tree

Collecting firewood, singing songs

And finding out where he belongs …

 

This Baden-Powell* themed outdoor life:

Dexterity with a sharp knife,

Acquiring vital teamwork skills

Cooking, hiking trails and hills …

 

Learning to survive is key

 This independence sets him free

As standing on his own two feet

At nearly nine - is no small feat!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Sir Robert Baden-Powell 1857-1941 - founder of the Scouting Movement

  

 

 

A Christmas Wine!

Bright sunshine adds gold to dry leaves

A cloudless sky the cold deceives

My window paints a glowing scene

I am bemused – is this a dream?

 

Yet snowflakes bring a festive note

To the Ardennes as they coat

Our modest heights with sparkly wonder;

(Thinks: I’d rather be 'Down Under'!)

 

This winter though, I’m staying home

Where  the chill, alas, gets to the bone

But crisp walks in the wood inspire

And set my winter cheeks afire!

 

A mulled wine with a friend, delights

And brings a glow these winter nights

The Grand’Place tree in baubled splendour

Makes this a Christmas to remember!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

A Touch of Frost

When the chill gets to your bones,

A wave of grumbling, sighs and moans

Filters through the frosty air

Our ‘get-up-and-go’s not there!

 

The radiator's feeble heat

Is depressing – we’ve cold feet

In real life and metaphor,

Woollen mittens to the fore!

 

The misty, grey December skies

Do not encourage us to rise

Like bears, we yearn to hibernate

The wind chill factor’s hard to take!

 

But rise we must, there’s work to do;

Commuters – how I pity you

Wrapped up warm, out in the dark

Jingling keys - where did I park?

 

The wood behind my house is still

I hear no owl or bird cry shrill

Though owners with their dogs stroll past

Intent upon their daily task!

 

A cup of coffee fuels my day;

I see no sun – it hides away

But needs must - I don coat and scarf

Defy the cold and wryly laugh!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Thoughts on St. Andrew's Day

As it’s all digital these days

We flounder in an I.T. maze;

Real contact is a rarity;

Who really shares a cup of tea?

 

To be 'hip', you must be 'on line'

But living ‘through screens’ isn’t fine;

Lonely souls just cannot cope

It’s all just hype, buoyed up by hope.

 

With mental anguish on the rise

Depression overwhelms our eyes …

Whereas an in-depth chat with friend

Can often help our Angst to mend.

 

But outward signs are so discreet

That sadness, hidden very deep,

Is not observed until too late;

We all have so much on our plate…

 

December’s tinsel-fuelled veneer

And outward ‘bonhomie’ can scare

We mask our loneliness and smile

But solitude can be a trial …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

The Cup Runneth Over

We’re all shook up in many ways

And no, I don’t mean a dance craze

Another earthquake* – many die:

Indonesian lives awry …

 

Our planet boldly shows its might

We never know when it will strike

Though humans think they know the score

Dame Nature holds us all in thrall…

 

This year’s COP** - in tatters

No firm decisions on what matters;

Extensive floods in Pakistan

This crisis is no  “also ran”.

 

Meanwhile in Doha, cool of day

The World Cup teams begin to play:

Surprising win by Ecuador***

Qatar retires with a nil score.

 

Vast stadium and flood-lit pitch

In sandy desert for the rich

Where politics has other goals

Troubling many sanguine souls …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

** in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

*** 2 - 0 

* West Java

Our Mini Madonna!

More darling photos come my way!

Isabella’s latest trait

Is playing Mum to swaddled babe;

Deep concentration is displayed…

 

Wee Madonna minds her child

Her cheeky grin now calm and mild;

At almost five, she’s learnt to share

So, dolly gets her full-on care.

 

Held proudly close, in sweet repose

Is Isabella in the throes

Of bonding with another “being”?

I’m so touched by what I’m seeing.

 

A well-appointed pram stands by

Where baby sleeps when bedtime’s nigh;

Clever Mum has thought it through

This “babe-in-arms” - her déjà vu!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

Bali Parlays

Perhaps I should forego the news

Too much hype and trenchant views…

We try to keep on even keel

But this new bumpy ride is real;

 

Take Bali, that idyllic isle

Known and loved for its warm smile.

At 3 a.m. much lies at stake

As fear grips statesmen who awake

 

On the brink of war, (mistake?)

With two sad deaths in Polish State

Is Peace in Europe wafer-thin?

When will Common Sense wade in?

 

Bi-lateral pow-wows soon take place

The Common Good - still in the race;

We tiptoe, teeter, hold our breath:

War brings only loss and death!

 

Danger over? Are we sure?

Just what was NATO set up for?

We ponder on this latest drama

Hoping to avoid more trauma …

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

World Kindness Day

Facebook brought me up to speed:

World Kindness Day! Just what we need

With so many in despair

As this is one helluva Year.

 

The “Special Operation” cloaks

Horrors for so many folks

While COVID lingers in the wings …

Eternal roundabouts and swings.

 

Late sunshine may serve as a warning

A new and scary world is dawning

But Mid-Term outcomes offer hope

That Common Sense is still afloat!

 

COP 27: Sharm El-Sheikh

What direction shall we take

As climate change is no mirage

The question is – how to take charge?

 

Uncertainty – our human lot

Are we responsible, or not?

World leaders have a role to play

As kindness goes a long, long way …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Death in Rue d'Aarschot, Brussels

Armistice Day fell this week

Brief time out in routine bleak;

Lest we forget - two policemen shot*

Near North station – rue d'Aarschot;

One died outright, the other ails

The terrorism theme prevails …

November sunshine - more blue skies

Kids kitted out in shorts surprise;

Post general strike, STIB trams are back;

Now shop displays our eyes distract.

We purchase what we do not need

Bedevilled as we are – by greed!

Big crowds now flock to cut-price stores:

A spending spree that gives me pause … 

An artist’s dream these autumn hues

How can a poet not enthuse?

 

Some lucky souls avoid this fuss;

A long walk in the sun seems just

An ideal way to spend free time

So, nature’s glory prompts this rhyme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* actually it was a stabbing on 10th November, 2022 - Rue d'Aarschot in Scharbeek