New French Parley!

The Hundred Years War * is long past

But its impact can long shadows cast;

With both beheaded Kings forgot

Is rivalry right royal - or not?

 

A bold state occasion has occurred:

 Macron welcomes Charles III!

Perhaps the seeds for this were sown

With Edward VII on the throne ...

 

When characterised by style and charm

The Entente Cordiale was born?

But warfare these brave Nations shakes

'Ere the Common Market ups the stakes!

 

United Europe! When Brits join

Mass exodus to the Dordogne!

French cheese and wine flood in tax-free;

With Gallic hordes on Harrods spree!

 

For a brief while - a state of bliss

But BREXIT soon puts paid to this!

New deal of cards, new reign begins

With Charles at the helm – new things!

 

In three-day** stay at French behest

Charles in French tongue does his best;

 All pomp and ceremony aside

A meeting of true minds is tried!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* 1337-1453

** State visit to France  - 22-22 September 2023

Pirate and Mermaid Treasures!

With a Yo, Ho, Ho! and Bottle of Rum!

Pirate and friendly dolphin come

He with eye-patch and hook-hand

Adrift somewhere on distant strand.

 Beside our “Pugwash”, smaller scale

A rosy mermaid minus tail

Attempts to put her smile in place

And bring to Make-Believe her grace.

 

How wonderful to watch them grow

And in this mad world boldly go

Creating memories to treasure

All at Aussie Captain’s pleasure!

 

“Peg-Leg”- bold as brass – stares out

Poised to give his crew a shout;

With Little Mermaid at his side,

Off they'll sail on the next tide! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Grape-Picking in Vossem!

Escape from the 'Big Smoke'* today

Grape-picking foray Vossem way!

Drove with friend down narrow lane

On cobbles freshly splashed with rain.

 

Majestic wrought-iron gates thrown wide

Higgledy-piggledy grapes espied!

Top window view of wizened trunks;

Once kitchen garden run by monks.

 

Of this “12 Apostles” site – faint trace

But impressive brick wall still in place.

The house, compact, still boasts three floors

And garden chairs invite outdoors!

 

My mind imagines it at morning.

‘Cos on arrival, dusk was falling

But luscious grapes were picked and packed;

Perhaps in sunshine I’ll be back!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Brussels

A Fight Against Time!

First fires that rage and scotch Greek lives

Then floods that Libya decries

With the speed at which rogue Nature strikes

 Man is dazed in bold headlights!

 

We feel bereft, quite unprepared …

No room for doubt, we’re running scared!

Appeals for aid - both cash and tents

Roll in – with panic more intense.

 

Man’s greed stays focused on brief goals

Moroccan earthquake - more lost souls;

The Activist’s brave life is short

The rope around such necks pulled taut…

 

Those who warn soon disappear

177 deaths this year!

Courageous voices soon dismissed

Like Cassandra’s in Greek myth.

 

Low-lying cities fear the worst

With global warming, they are cursed;

As for the ‘green lung ‘Amazon:

Deforestation rumbles on!

 

Behold the Writing on the Wall!

Its message stark in letters tall

Such shallow thinking needs to stop:

It’s all hands to the pump – or rot!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

The Blue Angel

Braced against dull wooden door

My cherubs have shot up some more!

More assured than in the past

Thomas is maturing fast!

He’s growing up; will he be tall?

While Isabella cute, stays small

Although she does add to her height

By wearing a tiara bright!

 

I notice  her new shade is blue

With telltale pink pumps peeping through!

With long dress adding touch of chic,

Our fashionista’s gaze is meek.

 

Proud of wee sister by his side

Thomas lets the good times ride

He goes for comfort, easy-care

In terms of clothes, he lacks her flair!

 

With education underway,

There is now less time to play;

But dressing up is still such fun

Captured in a click by Mum! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Weather Patterns!

September: Brussels - skies bright blue!

Brazil, alas, has flood scenes new;

Weird weather has us by the throat

Our Powers-That-Be just cannot cope…

 

For fashionistas – what to wear?

A Mac and brolly? Leave arms bare?

Disaster scenes on evening telly…

G20 pow-wow in New Delhi.

 

I ask myself, and you must too

Quo Vadis -  as I have no clue;

Obsessions with I.T. are fine

But not all progress is on line.

 

Which world leaders still inspire?

Here, media politics is dire!

When elections give way to bun fight

Uncle Sam just can’t sit tight…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Stuck in the Mud!

Across the news feed, loud and clear

There’s talk of mud in desert lair;

Bold festival* of outdoor art

With Burning Man right at its heart.

 

This Celtic symbol now updated

Deep in Black Rock is created

With “Animalia” as its theme;

It promised an exciting scene!

 

Nevada drew enormous crowds

Expecting sunny days not clouds …

Dame Nature zooms in - “rocks” the boat

But not with music; All afloat!

 

A quirky thunderstorm puts paid

To the cosy tent brigade;

Instead of sunset in the dust

Cars are mud-logged; will they rust?

 

The world learns of their plight on screen;

The aftermath is one bad dream

To dry roads out may take some time!

But hey, this has inspired my rhyme!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Burning Man Festival: 27th August - 4th September, 2023 in Nevada, USA