Joy in the Allotments!

The wind gets up, the parks are closed

We stay well wrapped up in warm clothes;

This January has been bleak

With bad news reaching a new peak …

 

But lo! On Sunday with a friend

To the local market, hemmed

In by crowds all keen to buy

Their weekly goodies, I espy

 

In pert profusion round a tree

A wealth of snowdrops bobbing free

All basking quietly in the sun …

 Sweet heralds of the spring to come!

 

Down muddy paths where brambles grew

The allotments beckoned - we strolled through

Vast enclosed space where Nature sleeps:

Yet buds in spiky hedgerow peep…

 

So, all’s not lost - bold plants revive

Immune to politics, they thrive

As their cheeky roots send feelers out

And teach us what life is about!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

A Slew of Fiascoes!

Life’s a rough ride, we’re at sea

As COVID will not let us be

Used by the Swiss, quite down to earth,

To give the Beijing Games* wide berth.

 

'Party' politics at Number Ten

Still rumble on for Brit P.M.**

Tsunami chaos** overnight …

Yet news side-lined on Tonga’s plight!

 

Our priorities have all gone west!

Journalists report unrest

As East-West leaders weigh in, bold

We wonder - is the Cold War cold?

 

Troops deployed like game of chess

As power lurks in one man’s breast …

We must tread carefully, take things slow

Who knows how the wind will blow?

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Beijing Winter Olympics: 2-22 February, 2022

** Boris Johnson

** The tsunami hit Tonga on 14th January, 2022

 

COVID Rite of Passage?

Home-working seemed a pleasant change

Agendas were soon re-arranged!

But many, now rushed off their feet,

Regret they can’t with colleagues meet.

 

The hoped-for peace at home won’t come

Childcare ambushes every Mum …

And glued for hours in front of screen

Without a coffee break – is mean…

 

Care homes forced to close their doors,

 Loneliness in waves now soars;

While classes faced with empty places

Find teachers challenged - put through paces!

 

This 'on-off' lifestyle drives us mad!

So, the Sunday* demonstration had

The people up-in-arms at last;

But police, in riot gear, moved fast!

 

It seems each generation finds

It must read between the lines;

For our freedoms we must fight

Do not assume God-given right!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Anti-COVID restrictions demonstration in central Brussels on 23rd January, 2022

Lost in a Fog!

Each winter day embalms the trees

With heavy mist and chilly breeze

We sleep in late and miss the dawn

Yet each day wake to brighter morn!

 

Without the sun to shed its heat

Just footsteps, not birds, in my street.

The groaning refuse truck goes past:

Debris from last week embarked fast!

 

Mid-week and time to take a pause

Warm as toast, I stay indoors

And contemplate what brings me joy;

How should I my day employ?

 

For many, life is hectic, fraught,

As schools, where children should be taught,

Are faced with teachers COVID-ill:

Will retirees now fit the bill?

 

The family shop costs more each week

Fuel and lighting reach new peak;

I cast around for some bright gem

But must admit defeat - pro tem.

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

David Hockney at the BOZAR

BOZAR was busy, but no queue

With pre-booked tickets, we walked through

To meet this artist on wide screen

With twinkly eyes and thoughtful mien.

 

Born in the Thirties, art school trained

With colour palette unrestrained

Experimenter of all styles:

Lithographs and wall-size tiles!

 

Portrait of Ossie Clarks* in flat

Which featured Percy, their white cat,

And his parents, Mum in blue

While father read the headlines through …

 

Cubism influenced his style

As did his Yorkshire roots awhile

Views of his home in Malibu:

His celebrated swimming pool!

 

Half-timbered house in Normandy

Perspectives of full-blossomed tree …

Why not an iPad for design?

A touch of Van Gogh seen on line?

 

Back to his interview again …

This artistic talent in fast lane

Smiles, for David Hockney’s coy:

“Life is short, so just enjoy!”

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

David Hockney - born 1937

* Raymond "Ossie" Clark - fashion designer: 1942-1996

This painting hangs in the Tate Gallery, London

A Poetic Exchange

Monday night was one of those:

Dark and cold, with both bars closed!

I’d turned up for my rendezvous

Well in time, just as you do…

 

But, despite Place Keym’s bright lights,

There was no one in my sights!

Then out of the gloom she came

Rugged up warm, she called my name!

 

In the gallery we found a place

To sip our tea in cosy space

We’d met for an exchange of views

Both published writers, who enthuse…

 

We swapped tomes on the table top

Nearby, the Carrefour shut up shop;

The lights dimmed, we were forced to go

But hey! A link was made - with Jo!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Place Keym gallery, Boitsfort

 

A Meditative Stroll

This January’s sun is pale

It rises late and leaves a trail

Of golden moments wreathed in mist

Where woodland birds make early tryst.

 

Last night the full moon* round and daunting

Made my homeward stroll quite haunting;

An eerie atmospheric dream

With puddles mirroring its sheen …

 

With life so fraught, Man is confused;

A plethora of worrying news

Channels fear into our veins

Where apprehension sprouts and reigns.

 

To pour balm on our troubled souls

Perhaps we should assess our goals …

Each season tiptoes in quite coy

Displaying vistas to enjoy!

 

Unchanging, and yet on the move

Mother Nature’s gifts can soothe

So why does reckless Man destroy

Our homeland which imparts such joy? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022 

* Known as the Wolf Moon

Isabella tries Calisthenics!

We burst with pride at this bold sight

Of our pert Miss in red and white

Who grows apace in poise and style,

And never fails us to beguile!

 

Attired for Calisthenics class,

Isabella’s learning fast

Jumping through such hoops with ease

She seems to sense just how to please!

 

She’s barely four but stands her ground;

Her knowing look keeps us spellbound

Our captivating little girl

Hogs the limelight with a twirl …

 

This group activity is new;

She watches others work out too

And must take care to stay in line

But she’s stepping out – big time!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Trivial Pursuits?

Is there still such a thing as news?

A cacophony of diverse views

And opinions, willy-nilly,

Makes the world’s Press look so silly!

 

Trivia seems to rule the roost;

Will miss-filled visa forms induce

Those who hold the reins of power

To ban the Serb* from shining hour?

 

While Platinum plans now go ahead

A family member**  lives in dread

Perception by the people matters

A reputation lies in tatters …

 

Then on the Thames hard by Big Ben

Talks of a party*** cause mayhem

The Speaker**** has his work cut out;

Who, one wonders wields most clout?

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis player refused entry to Melbourne's Tennis Open

** Prince Andrew

*** "PartyGate" or holding an illegal party at N° 10 during the COVID lock-down

**** Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Snippets on January 10th

It’s crunchy underfoot today

With Jack Frost’s white work on display!

Our schools go back - this time for real

Though quarantine terms stay surreal…

 

 An Oscar-star in Sixty-Four:

Now Sydney Poitier is no more

So, another gem falls from the crown

Of Hollywood in tinsel town!

 

Down Under, Melbourne hogs the news

Will they still the Serb* refuse?

The jury’s out; is the die cast?

For Djokovic the clock ticks fast…

 

A fire (by accident or design)

Hits the New York news big time;

Just snippets of life on this day

Against a background tinged with grey …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*  tennis champion Novak Djokovic denied participation in the 2022 Australian Open as he had not been vaccinated against COVID - it was won by Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Actor Sydney Poitier: 20.2.1927 - 6.1.2022 (aged 94)

Thomas Turns Eight!

Wow, Thomas, you are eight years old!

More fun horizons now unfold;

Dad tells me golf might be your game

But losing goes against the grain…

 

You like to calculate, compare

So, Dad and you make a good pair!

Monopoly exerts its spell:

Hotels on Mayfair would do well!

 

Schools are shut in summer shine

So, January means free time

 Where sport a major role can play

Sea swimming - a stone’s throw away!

 

At this age, a fast stepping-stone:

Time to get a mobile phone?

Enjoy each moment, make it last

As Isabella follows fast!

(c) Poet in the woods

Off to a Shaky Start?

That’s all we need -  there’s talk of snow!

This ‘flaky’ news sets cheeks aglow

As schools gear up cohorts to greet

Will COVID stalk round desks this week?

Tennis with politics is stirred

As Melbourne Airport holds the Serb!*

While Macron’s edict could prove dire:

The great un-jabbed in line of fire …

 

Held in the hot-seat, a prince quakes

A trial perhaps will up the stakes …

In a nutshell, much bodes ill

This year begins up a steep hill!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

* Novak Jokovic - world class tennisman

  

Omicron Goes to Work!

The grindstone beckons this wan morn!

Masks, of course, must still be worn

It’s back to work for some of you

Crowded travelling in view…

 

Torrential rain fell overnight

No frost yet, so that’s alright

But winter has not breathed its last

This lull may lead to chilly blast!

 

Today’s commute to work is slow

Many hesitant to go

Uneasiness hangs the air

Though bored with COVID – please take care!

 

Meanwhile, the Dutch in lock-down strict,

Find Antwerp shopping a big hit

Winners and losers play this game;

While UK residents complain…

 

As Omicron numbers start to swell

Predictions all seem shot to Hell;

Man has a tough rebellious streak

So, will he play it safe this week? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Omicron is a variant of the virus

A Walk on New Year's Day!

On New Year’s Day, what does one do?

It was warm*, the sun shone through

New diary – what shall I relate?

Virgin calendar – clean slate.

 

A happy walk down sun-kissed streets

“Bonne Année!” to all those one meets!

Their optimism quite unbowed,

Birds on rooftops chatter loud.

 

Through neighbours’ windows - Christmas trees

Here and there bright holly wreaths…

Sometimes candles light my way

Boldly chasing winter grey …

 

Rubbish bins with wrappings filled

Let’s hope their contents small kids thrilled;

No fireworks, but a few arrests

While snug stayed many - in their nests …

 

Post-midnight frenzy, some are tired

But in this sunshine, I’m inspired.

Today, up early, in the sun

I stroll; am I the only one? 

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*14°C in Uccle

View of the woods from Rue de Triage, Boitsfort