November - through a Looking Glass

 I heard her on the bus complain

“I hate November – too much rain!”

But hey, I have to remonstrate;

My birthday month I celebrate!

 

The days draw in but Christmas lights

Bring a sparkle to dark nights

Trees lose their leaves but show more sky

The silver moon winks glibly by.

 

Warm house, mulled wine post chilly walk

Friends gather round firesides and talk;

The lure of books I can’t resist -

Cheap book-sale thrillers* with-a-twist!

 

Being mindful makes me smile

Time to meditate a while

Enjoyment rewards different views;

To keep sane, I switch off the news …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Thanks to Serve-the-City :-)

On Hope ...

What a world in chaos! Deep mistrust

Edges many dreams with dust

Dead certs wobble, disappear;

Don't we wonder why we’re here?

 

And yet, a flame of hope survives

Albeit now with saddened eyes;

'Cos however black things seem to be

A bright new sunrise there will be!

 

Though wheels of fortune rise and fall

And life on earth is a tough call

We get to climb back up life’s rope

As in Pandora’s box lies hope …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Note: written for a local competition ...

Wanted - A Brussels Laureate!

So, the hunt is on, in media speak

To find a Laureate this week!

A poet who can pen pert lines

Encapsulating Brussels times.

 

What’s not to like? I played my hand

But French and Dutch rule in this land

(Though English comes a frequent third)

Will my modest plea be heard?

 

The judges’ panel is diverse;

Will they like my blog of verse?

What chance do bards stand from afar?

I hitch my wagon to a star …

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

A Touch of Gold

Late Autumn stuns us with its views

Despite the dampness, I enthuse

It’s full-blown WETFLIX in the round;

Excited kids kick leaves around!

 

November in the dripping rain

Bold droplets slash my windowpane;

Leaves russet, golden, ochre, red

Coat the paving stones I tread.

 

Nature, fleeing summer heat,

Casts bright mosaics at our feet

Jewelled splendour for those in-the-know …

What’s not to like? A five-star show!

 

I gaze with wonder down my street

Where falling leaves form rainbow neat;

Keats* loved this season all aglow

He too took time to tell us so!

 

Lone voice perhaps, but I admire

These leafy woodlands which inspire

My Muse on this damp, chilly day

Where wind and leaves chase blues away!

(c) Poet in the woods  2023

John Keats (1795-1821)  See his poem: "To Autumn"

 

Speakeasy

Tread gently; with your friends, be fair

Reassure them that you care

Who knows aught of their inner trials?

Being there is key – share smiles.

 

Perhaps we just don’t bear in mind

The words we speak; have we been kind?

What impulse makes us dish the dirt?

Souls may tremble, sorely hurt…

 

Glib tabloids often go too far

They zoom in on Celebs’ faux-pas

Good, hard-won reputations crash

While gossip columns rake in cash!

 

 Jests voiced in alcoholic haze

May fester and wound hearts for days;

Skilled body language may give clues

But can we fit our neighbour’s shoes?

 

Tact these days is sadly rare;

Damned gossip mills turn everywhere

Now speak-before-we-think is boss

 More fragile egos take a toss… 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

OK, the title is a pun!

Mike - In Memoriam

Memories surface – I recall

His lilting voice, its rise and fall;

Generous to a fault, he’d share

His time and wine; my man had flair!

 

With French and German quite at home

His diplomatic skills - well honed

His travel schedule – often tight

But presence on stage - a delight!

 

A Scorpio optimist with charm

Proud to have me on his arm

On this, his birthday, I recall

For twenty years we had a ball…

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

MC: 16th November, 1937 - 4th January, 2005

Chez Joske

November: though the day was wet

This afternoon we’ll not forget!

Fun labyrinth in St. Josse street

With wealth of local folk to meet!

 

An Aladdin’s cave, in candlelight!

Whose marvels, all home-made, delight

Noel bonanza in profusion

Owner-poet in collusion!

 

We tread on well-worn hallowed ground

Brussels folklore – in the round!

Assorted presents on display;

The urge to buy won’t go away!

 

Plus, guided tour up flight of stairs;

We sit, spellbound, in comfy chairs!

Haven of true Brusseleir**

This treasured moment let us share!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

"Joske Maelbeek" reciting one of his delightful poems in Brussels dialect to a very appreciative audience. He is regular contributor to the Brussels History Magazine :-)

** The local Brussels dialect, a hotch-potch of different languages ...

Atelier

Some Existential Thoughts

Where is our Sun, our guiding light?

This sharp metaphor has bite

As leaden skies blight stoutest hearts

Snuffing out our happy sparks…

 

Life scampers on at frantic pace

“All systems go!” in madcap race;

So, who now dares to step outside

This weird maelstrom and joyride?

 

Social media wraps us round

Work commitments weigh us down

Sure-fire certainties decay

In full thirty shades of grey!

 

But, ruled by Jupiter, I try

To quit this swamp wherein we lie;

When inattention drags us down…

Friends, thank God, won’t let us drown! 

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

Wanted - Miracles!

Bureaucracy? I'm not a fan

Some days, things just won’t keep to plan

Computer forms don’t fit my case

And promised workmen don’t keep pace.

 

Meanwhile, it’s raining, dark and cold

Stuck here, I hope things will unfold

In a way that makes more sense

Such 'waiting games' make my nerves tense.

 

I hope YOUR day is going well;

Though not too far away, lies hell…

To cap it all, full-blown train strike;

Are there no miracles in sight?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

November 4th - A Meditation

Another blank sheet glares at me

What does my crystal ball tell me?

The world is in a right old mess

The Middle East – turmoil and stress …

 

Did Nostradamus* tell us true?

His quatrains spoke of chaos too

Upheavals, unrest, maybe war

Predictions many still explore…

 

I am no harbinger of doom

But news streams into every room;

Today - harsh earthquake in Nepal

Causes more deaths to deplore …

 

It’s all too much; is there a way

To keep the God of Fear at bay?

Politicians’ lives are fraught

Has history no lessons taught?

 

We reach the back end of the year

Where glowing autumn colours cheer!

Dame Nature does her best to please

But can we see this wood for trees?

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* French physician and reputed seer - Michel de Nostredame (1503-1566)

What a Blow!

Against the skyline branches sway

Alarmingly, will they give way?

A general warning: “Stay at home!”

Contact, if you must, by phone…

 

We’re in a whirlwind, gusts whip trees

With pavements wet, knee-deep in leaves

I stand on doorstep and peer out:

No hardy neighbours are about.

 

Debris blocks our motorways

The railways soon announce delays

Frustrated travellers look forlorn

SNAFU is the Belgian norm!

 

Wild winter weather* is in sight;

We’re ‘tempest-tossed’ - the Bard was right!

So, settle down with cup of tea:

Good book oblivion is key!

(c) Poet in the woods 2023

* Storm Ciaran