Lost Unicorns and Rainbows

Though on-line videos amaze,

We live a virtual life these days;

“Woke’s” modern mindset often jars,

Why jazz up the lives of Stars?

 

As for the hype at Halloween:

Such garish packaging’s obscene;

This “silliness” attains new heights

Yet still that urge to spend delights!

 

Perhaps we should muse and reflect

On what is posted on the Net;

Switch off and take walks in the wood…

This disconnect does us no good.

 

Yet magic fuels our mundane lives

So, what from childhood still survives?

Once, rainbows led to pots of gold

With unicorns in centre fold!

 

Sad inner child has gone to sleep

So, A.I. digs its claws in deep;

Goggle-eyed we stare at screens

And cannot now recall lost dreams…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Emotional Missing Links

More years fly by, life takes its course

Friends lose touch, we feel remorse;

Did we forget that birthday card?

But making phone calls isn’t hard …

 

Down the line we’ve lost the thread

Found other things to do instead

Until a chance remark or date

Prompts us to communicate…

 

I cannot be the only one

Who, faced with much that must be done,

Has sadly put dear friends aside

Excuse -  I’m busy as a guide!

 

Today, to get in touch I try

But messages in Facebook lie

Unopened as friends aren’t on line;

More pressing things absorb their time.

 

So, I resolve to telephone

As many, like me, live alone

And then I learn some trauma reigns

Which their silence soon explains.

 

That all sands run out, we know

Always, Folks, it  has been so ...

But let us reach out, straws to clutch

And tell them that our hearts still touch!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

 

Trying to Make Sense

I can’t help wondering WHO you are

Or where you hail from – near or far?

But gee, it’s great you come on line

And pause awhile to read my rhyme!

 

You’ve no doubt noticed I speak plain,

And from a vested stance abstain

But still, I try - and don’t we all? -

To make sense of life’s rolling ball!

 

Observing climate change is rough;

Understanding politics is tough;

Reporters’ noses to the ground;

Let’s face it, is news media sound?

 

So, status quo? There’s no such thing

A change in mood means hefty swing

With old alliances forgot

Enemies now tie the knot …

 

Moves on this chequerboard advance

Pawns tend to lead a merry dance

The game, alas, in parlous state;

Outsiders on the qui vive quake…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

From Mexico to Maine

Fierce autumn wind tears at our coats

Torrents splash and spill down drains

Jack Frost bides his time and gloats

Delays upset commuter trains...

 

Lone gunman* kills in quiet Maine,

Fast Acapulco floods are dire

Journalists exit the Ukraine

To Middle East – on tightrope wire …

 

I seek some good news to impart

As homeless and food prices rise

But who can kindle one bright spark

And bring hope to our next sunrise?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Acapulco, Mexico

* 27th October: Robert Card (found dead) killed 18 people in a bowling alley in Lewiston, Maine.

Three Pains of Glass

Although it can't be seen or heard

We kind of know what is inferred

When people, of whom we are fond,

Have this hidden cloak now donned.

 

What does the poet try to say?

I speak of suffering friends today;

Each PAIN takes on a different form

But leaves poor souls distraught, forlorn…

 

Small fractures torture one friend’s spine

Her mobility reduced big time;

The challenge is to reach the phone,

So dreadfully sad stuck home alone …

 

But perhaps emotional pain is worse

A trendy friend now plays the nurse

As Mum and Dad, both ill, require

Attention every waking hour…

 

While brother of companion dear

Faces pain in brand-new sphere;

How to treat the evil “C” …

How unlucky can you be?

 

Sad snippets in long lives well led

Where smiles, alas, give way to dread;

Although we care, what can we do?

Will miracles help them pull through?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

October Beachcombers

Beachcombers on vast sandy beach

The far horizon in their sights

Immensity just out of reach

Australia's untamed coast delights.

 

Time passes; Isabella grows

She gazes, pensive, out to sea

While Thomas settles in fun pose

His healthy smile so great to see!

 

Wispy hair windswept, tied back

Her confidence so deftly caught

As golden locks flow down her back;

Such contemplation can’t be bought…

 

Will they remember this day out?

A new occasion for a rhyme

Which Auntie so loves pointing out

A meditation, lost in time …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

In Praise of Tea

There’s nothing like a cup of tea

Served piping hot in china cup

However busy you may be

It offers solace, cheers you up!

 

Stout mugs for coffee are just fine

A caffeine buzz keeps you awake!

But nothing beats age-old teatime

Perhaps with biscuit or some cake?

 

October winds pack a cold punch

Time to haul out warmer coat

So, thoughts of tea long after lunch

Impart a glow to heart and throat …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Shots in the Dark

The football stadium is packed tight

When shots ring on misty night;

Sports shirts are harbingers of doom

For two foreigners – high noon.

 

But this is Brussels, quiet, discreet

Where nobody expects to meet

Their Maker near the canal-side;

Alert stage 4 is soon applied…

 

The site roped off from passers-by;

The match called-off; they shoot the guy

Somewhere down a Schaerbeek street

Now top politicians meet…

 

Why here? Why Sweden? We’re in shock

We thought that we were safe – we’re not

All buses run but some schools close

So once again, we’re on our toes…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Angst at Dawn

It’s the uncertainty that weighs

On our hearts and souls these days

The hollow echoes of sad voices

Faced with scary nightmare choices.

 

A distant rumbling as mass hordes

Make moves south as time affords;

Disruption as supplies run short …

Has history no lessons taught?

 

Meanwhile, the God Angst reigns supreme;

We pray that this is a bad dream

But will brave diplomats prevail?

Thoughts of peace crawl, like a snail …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Is this Cutting Edge?

I pity those whose lives have been

Portrayed as glam on silver screen

And, who, beset like all of us,

With growing old, attract hyped fuss.

 

Eternal youth, which many crave

Won’t - like Dorian Gray’s* – behave;

Wrinkles form round mouth and eyes …

Sylph silhouette, once smooth, now lies!

 

Will tucks and scalpel stars enhance?

Our hearts pump hard as we advance …

High living will clog up the pores

And sun on ageing skin makes wars!

 

Although a face lift can be done,

Money cannot keep us young;

Staying zen helps us grow old

Good health is worth its weight in gold!

 

Alas – so many lives cut short

With youthful dreams all crushed to nought;

So, though we cannot stop the clock

While we’re still alive – let’s rock!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* The Portrait of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - first published in 1890

Upsetting Thoughts

There’s much that I could write about

Our  dear old world’s a mess – no doubt;

F16 fighters for Ukraine?

As Zelensky visits us* again …

 

Then talk of hostages held fast

As history long shadows cast,

Uncertainties in distant places

Despair etched deep on many faces…

 

I make no claim, denounce no plot

A politician I am not;

Observing - quietly gripped with fear -

Where do we go forth – from here?

 

Revenge, prepare, attack, deploy

More sweet innocents destroy …

A word - three letters - comes to mind -

To say it though, too stark, unkind …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Visit  to Brussels of the President of Ukraine

Harvest Heaven - in Boitsfort!

This summer runs on – still young lamb

In “été indien”* by Joe Dassin!

Trees whisper, proud of emerald hue;

Suntanning on stone steps is new!

 

Boitsfort market fuels fun buzz

Queues for roast chicken – as one does!

Lightweight tops fill clothing stalls;

The thought of winter scarves - appals!

 

Plums, salami, cheeses, cherries

Apples – mirabelles - raspberries;

Blackcurrants, both sun-dried and ripe …

Seductive mangoes in full sight!

 

Neighbours sport long crusty loaves

Bowls of olives leave in droves;

Bewitched by Nature’s rich increase

My penny purse cries for release!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* This 1975 record became a world wide hit.

An Old Chestnut?

Life’s a whirlwind, trial and test

Sometimes, there’s no time to rest;

Events can happen thick and fast;

Dark memories long shadows cast.

 

But then, when we expect it least

Friends swoop in – we have a feast!

We win a prize, work is rewarded …

Such warm highlights are recorded.

 

Our memory bank has many pages

Which we complete in rapid stages

As lulls and peaceful times are few;

There always seems so much to do.

 

It’s rush, rush, rush our kids to school

Office deadlines our lives rule;

Our weekends crammed with household tasks

Often, personal needs come last!

 

And so, we fight to keep afloat

We meet dear friends in the same boat!

But does it have to be this way?

The human spirit yearns to play!

Let’s take a walk while summer grieves

As it’s such fun to kick up leaves!

Rich sunsets have a special glow

As flocks of birds fly south; they know

 

The winter chill will cloak our hearts;

Dark evenings lit with fireside sparks;

October throws a misty screen:

Roast chestnuts, ghouls and Halloween …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Note: An Old Chestnut can mean - a familar story ...

October 2nd - A Meditation

October – golden days stay warm

Lush, glossy berries on display;

I muse - is this new global norm?

Though floods elsewhere wash hopes away …

 

An Indian summer to enjoy

With T-shirts, shorts and painted toes

Sans chilly breezes to annoy!

But for how long, Folks? No one knows…

 

Too soon to huddle by the hearth

As endless sunshine keeps us dry;

Hop, skip and jump down woodland path,

I’m sure I spied a butterfly!

 

Though dawn and dusk more hours span

And trees take on a copper glow,

Chestnuts boast a deep rich tan;

Last summer frolics - soon to go …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Cards, Soap and Isabella

The magic of the camera lens

Captures memories and trends

Preserving moments for all time

And once again inspires my rhyme.

 

Spellbound by Isabella’s gaze

Caught in meditative phase

As to what lies within - who knows

In the karma of this yoga pose …

 

Can't you see her on a Hallmark card

With cheeky innocence – off guard?

She seems to know which pose to take

Her graceful sense of poise -   innate!

 

Childhood – brief but precious time,

Sweet innocence untouched by grime;

Our Isabella’s fresh-faced glow

Recalls Pears Soap ads long ago …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023