Thoughts on Networking

Relying just on social media

With knowledge gained on Wikipedia

Is OK, but we require

Real people who care and inspire!

 

These links-through-screens – at one remove

Lack the warmth that makes life smooth;

With added pressures and restraint,

Our burdened hearts soon make complaint.

 

Networking - in the flesh – provides

A social need; our hopes revive;

Connections are not forged on line

But building personal bonds takes time…

 

Soft skill sets are the way to go!

As coffee breaks help business flow;

Not everyone sees eye-to-eye

But in meet-ups, we can try!

 

A disembodied voice down phone

Causes angst when we’re alone

Nuisance calls can stress us out

And do all emails have real clout?

 

The joys of personal post are lost;

Emails are cheap; think reduced cost!

Regretfully, we’ve lost our way

How long will ersatz-living sway?

(c) Poet in the Woods  2022

A Tribute to Roger Federer

More famous names bow out and go…

Tennis loses famous Pro

As Roger leaves a crowded court

Emotional and overwrought…

 

Now 41 – stylish, first class

His victories long shadows cast

A precision Swiss with charm and flair;

It will be odd with him not there…

 

But tennis is a gruelling game

Triumphant yes, but fraught with pain;

Although he had the golden touch

A man can only do so much.

 

As anno domini declare,

Top sportsmen suffer wear-and-tear

So, he must lay his racket down

And don instead the victor’s crown!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

 

In the Balance!

Bright warm days in duck-blue sky

After hailstorms, all is dry

Dogs and their masters rush on by

Down dappled way;

The fiery heat turned down to cool

Children, joyful, back at school

 In city centre, strikers* duel:

Their gripe?  More pay!

 

Abroad, two land-locked Nations fight

As each side wants to hold on tight

But Pyrrhic gains just don’t seem right

To settle scores ;

Reservists flee, they fear the worst;

NATO digs deep in its purse:

This ‘Special Operation’ nursed

By Bear-like claws !

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*Strikes are a frequent occurrence in Brussels!

Isabella the Waitress!

No let up to the roles she plays!

Isabella’s haunting gaze

Draws attention to her tray

What is she offering today?

 

As a good waitress, she provides

A choice of drinks for thirsty eyes;

Is there hot cocoa? Coffee? tea?

I hesitate – what will it be?

 

And what will brother Thomas choose?

Will yellow, pink or green enthuse?

Her presentation skills are key;

The  'cup that cheers' is right for me!

 

Peppa Pig observes the scene;

No apron for this serving queen

Who, wrapped-up warm, with cheeky smile,

Can every customer beguile!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Thoughts on the State Funeral

A State funeral like no other;

 For, perhaps, the world’s grandmother

Seventy years on velvet throne

And only for one year – alone.

With Philip by her side she ruled

No politician better schooled

With tact, diplomacy and charm;

Troubled waters she could calm.

 

Tours to her subjects; every one

Recalled with love, her duty done;

Of countless charities the head

Who always by example led.

 

A black coach to the Abbey brings

World leaders, Presidents and Kings

A compromise to protocol

As traffic is a nightmare goal!

 

With mourning Royals in sober black

Joe Biden, free world leader, sat

With birthday-honoured guests today

United through her personal say!

 

Tight logistics, swelling crowds

Pall Mall lined with sad heads bowed

Strong presence in our post-war story

Pageantry, tradition, glory …

 

On letterboxes, stamps, banknote

Somehow, she never seemed remote

Though frail, we never thought to see

A world where she would cease to be …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

The end of an era...

A Queue like No Other ...

This is no royal mile but three,

That snakes in a reflective mood

Past London landmarks (where to pee?)

Some stay open - offer food!

 

Undeterred by spots of rain

Tarpaulin-wrapped or with a tent;

Such queues we shall not see again

All walks of life - with one intent.

 

Black ties and brollies, young and old

Celebrities* join in, heads bowed

In hours of waiting, pinched and cold

Subdued chatter in the crowd …

 

Police discreetly cordon lines

In awe, proud to participate,

Aware these are historic times

To honour She-who-lies-in-state…

 

Teary-eyed, at modest pace

Where many last respects will pay

In Westminster Hall, stark place,

Prince Harry - uniformed today.

 

Monday's funeral turns the page

A Nation stoic - lump in throat;

Acute sense of a passing Age;

“God save the King” strikes poignant note …

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

* i.e. David Beckham

Thames-side queues

Queen Elizabeth II, who died from bone marrow cancer,  lies in state in Westminster Hall

Corgi Continuity

Royal corgis cannot understand

Her absence – it had not been planned;

Red boxes done, she’d step outside

And have them, peaceful, by her side.

 

She’d stroll around her vast estate

Absorb fresh air and contemplate …

For a Royal’s work is never-ending

She must follow all that’s trending.

 

The dogs, of course, knew none of this

But brought her joy in daily tryst

They helped to put her mind at rest

By keeping pace at her behest.

 

Sweet ‘Susan’ gifted at eighteen,

Fair Princess once and then young Queen;

Both matriarchs in their own way

Formed dynasties which still hold sway!

 

Two cocker spaniels, corgi Candy

Together with young Muick and Sandy

Distanced now from Royal throne;

Prince Andrew will give some a home

 

Sharing responsibility

With ex-wife Sarah, red-haired she;

The Queen’s wise influence revealed

Perhaps some rifts have now been healed …

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

A Last, Sad Journey

Through rolling hills, a long last drive,

Where roads and hedgerows come alive

As many watch the cavalcade

With Royal Standard on parade.

 

Lead-lined in oak - today she lies

On view to Scotland’s misty eyes

Escorted by the Princess Anne;

All catch a glimpse, as best they can.

 

Destination – Holyrood

Where Edinburgh’s populace stood

Castle outlined in bright sun

The drama felt by everyone…

 

The King*, meanwhile, takes all in hand;

The State funeral must be planned;

His reign will herald vistas new

The die is cast – what will he do? 

(c) Poet  in the Woods 2022

* Charles III

The Queen's coffin arriving at Holyrood.

Pageantry and Proclamation

What a week!  A change of reign

With young P.M. to take the strain;

Balmoral caught in spotlight rare

Aberdeenshire - world Press sphere!

 

Brief encounter -  Boris leaves

While Liz Truss from the Queen receives

The longed-for, coveted top role

On Tuesday; now those sad bells toll…

 

Fragile, but with will steadfast

Our Queen on Thursday breathed her last

All Royal plans in disarray

The Prince states he much feared this day …

 

Emotions flow at all time high

Charles, now King, will have to try

To mask his grief, accept his task;

At his age this is a Big Ask!

 

Cortège of cars, police escort

Outriders clear the traffic; brought

Back to London – rendezvous

With new P.M. - a wealth to do…

 

The reign of Charles III is proclaimed

With awesome pageantry arranged;

St. James’s Tudor Palace starred

Surrounded by the Coldstream Guard.

 

Trumpets, tabards, timeless poise

While cannon salvos are deployed;

William, now new Prince of Wales,

Considers what this role entails…

 

Charles makes his first impassioned speech

As protocol permits no breach

Between one monarch and the next;

Just time to wish him all the best!

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

London Bridge has fallen down!

Vast outpouring, sad, profound

The Elizabethan Age is through:

We grasp at straws; the shock brand-new …

 

Our rock, dependable and true

For many Nations – me and you;

Immutable, with twinkling eyes

Stewardship in human guise.

 

Noble, longest reigning Royal

70 years of honest toil

Admired – but also loved, revered

Her passing leaves us feeling scared …

 

Although her death was no surprise

Her absence affects many lives

Belovèd around the Commonwealth

She gave indeed much of herself.

 

Well-travelled, well-briefed, worldly-wise

Respected till the day she dies …

Her role as monarch proudly done;

She is perhaps the only one

 

Whose loss incurs such global grief;

Deep feelings circulate beneath

As her long reign draws to a close ...

Now, what the future holds, who knows?

 

Ex-Prince of Wales, now Charles the Third,

Means a ‘C’ change has occurred;

Balmoral - strewn with wreaths of flowers

Already battered by strong showers

 

As if the Heavens mourn her too …

Now Paradise hoves into view

Where Philip, who has gone before,

Will hold her hand tight evermore.

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

Out of Step!

We take for granted we can walk

Live free and easy lives each day

Jog, do gym, run, somersault

Just carry on - our own sweet way.

 

But age creeps up; with one false move

Tendonitis shocks, accrues !

We’re jolted out of cosy groove

Pain-killers calm the throb – no booze!

 

Of course, some rub-in gels provide

Pain relief but respite’s short;

Methinks I’m in for a rough ride

My social plans reduced to nought…

 

Climbing stairs – my Everest

A trip to town? The stuff of dreams;

I put my leg up – forced to rest

I learn the hard way what that means!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

A Kiss in the Castle!

The faintest kiss - the deed is done

The reign of new Liz* has begun;

No sceptre, crown or Robes of State

Though the position carries weight…

 

Comparisons with Theresa May

Do not, perhaps, seem apt today

Though pundits toy with Mrs. T.**

The word is: “Let’s stand back and see”.

 

Boris makes his farewell speech;

What will his pithy mandate teach?

His witty repartee remains:

A helpful asset in fast lanes!

 

From Aberdeenshire, castle-bound

This chassé-croisé is profound;

The Queen at Ninety-Six, aloof

Observes the pudding, waits for proof!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

*Liz Truss - new P.M. on 6th September, 2022

(resigned on 24th October, 2022)

** Margaret Thatcher - P.M. from 1979-1990.

The Queen's last engagement - at Balmoral

Life at the Top!

Elections are my theme today

There’s Italy* - in disarray;

And, after two months of debate,

Who will the seat of Boris take?

 

Our Emerald Isle is up for grabs

But times are hard and Likely Lads

Have not all stepped up to the plate

Balmoral - and the Nation - wait!

 

This poem’s lifespan will be short

As politics - a lively sport

Keeps us fairly on our toes;

In this uncertain world, who knows**?

 

Global warming, flood and fire

Whichever way you look, it’s dire;

Plus, the escalating costs of fuel…

Life at the top can be surreal!

(c) Poet in the Woods 2022

* Italian elections: 22.9.2022

** Liz Truss is now the new British P.M.

Outside Downing Street

 

Attempting the Impossible!

How do creative juices flow?

I’m often asked – but do not know

Like an artist with a sketchbook plain

Inspiration strikes again!

 

The prompting may come from within

Where hidden thoughts are wont to swim

Or from some drama in the News:

A famous death? … no time to lose.

 

Perhaps indeed some human theme

Analysis of vivid dream

Memories of those held dear

Or contemplation of deep fear…

 

Our human lives are sadly short

Emotions make us overwrought

We try to make sense of it all

A task which prompts this frequent scrawl!

(c) Poet in the woods (2022)

A Russian Cocktail

September: Wow, the sun still shines!

I trawl the news these troubled times

For some choice nugget to relate :

The Olympics - Munich*  a dark date …

 

Israeli athletes lost their lives

To scary Black September guys…

Spotlight on Russia (not the war):

Mikhail Gorbachev - no more.

 

World leader who changed Kremlin’s face;

Think Thatcher, Reagan, the Arms Race

A wind of change; chess moves - detente

In Russia though, mixed memories haunt…

 

Back to the mundane – fuel costs rise

Why is that no real surprise?

But as I said, the sun still shines,

Rays of hope for better times?

(c) Poet in the woods 2022

*11 athletes (1972)

Mikhail Gorbachev  2.3.1931 - 29.8.2022