Easter Saturday - a Meditation

Easter Saturday - in tears

Belgian rain goes on for years

At least that’s how it seems to me;

As puddles flood in woodland lea.

 

The supermarkets - chock-à-block

Should we go for lamb – or not?

Our shopping trolley slowly fills

Non-stop tinkling of the tills!

 

Stacks of pascal cakes await

Eager shoppers who debate

Should they also offer cheese?

Existential problems these!

 

We’re lucky, here the choice is vast

Fruit and seafood vanish fast

Wines of all types make the cut

And as for Easter eggs – a glut!

 

Yet everywhere we go these days

Cardboard City meets our gaze;

So many, sadly, live alone

Or, what is worse, don't have a home...

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

On ChatGPT

Computers dominate our lives

With complications that surprise

We need smart passwords, brand-new codes

Our poor Memory Bank implodes!

 

Were I born at later date

I would find these skills innate

But in my day the personal touch

Made life easy and less fuss.

 

Of course, I don’t decry new ways;

I know A.I. is not a phase

Most businesses now run on-line

And updates challenge us – big time!

 

Is originality still key

When whizz-kids use chatGPT?

Plagiarism floods the Net

For real writers they’re a threat!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

= Chat Generated Pre-trained Transformer

A Royal Bench Mark

Alone, upon a bench in jeans,

With springtime flowers right behind

Catherine*, poised and calm it seems

To her sad truth is inclined.

 

Poignant, with a touching grace

She says it “like it is” at last

Some tabloids now have mud on face!

To take it all in - a hard task…

 

School holidays mean kids at home;

That they must be told is raw

Gently these facts are made known;

Hope fights - but no one knows the score…

 

Hence as springtime comes in leaf

Mist and shadows shield the sun

As Mother Courage hides her grief

And prays for summer yet to come …

(c) Poets in the woods 2024

* Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and  wife of Prince William

 

A Snowdrop Soliloquy

 I’m sure I saw some snowdrops in the lane,

Heard bird cries almost deafened by a plane

As Zaventem, the airport is close by

And flights disturb the peace of springtime sky.

 

In the woodland, just a stone’s throw from my home

I often like to meditate alone

And observe how warmer days awake from sleep

Nature’s hidden marvels which now creep …

 

Across the muddy pathways; tendrils preen …

South-facing moss has turned the tree roots green!

Birds splash in shallow puddles which display

On their mirrored surface, skies still grey…

 

And yet, despite Jan’s brief advent of snow,

This month of March provides a warmer glow;

Though the traumas of our world roll on (increase?)

Here among the beech trees, I find peace.

 (c) Poet in the woods 2024

 

In the Dog House

News item:  did I hear it right

On population growth - a blight?

It seems we ladies change our tune

And eschew having kids: High Noon!

 

We modern women now have choice

Motherhood – a quieter voice …

With the lure of earning, a career!

Why spend money on child care?

 

Companionship, a human need

Does not go away; indeed

On Tik Tok, Facebook and the like

Ladies still seek “Mr. Right”.

 

But their profile comes with canine friend

A faithful hound with whom they spend

Their precious free time after hours

 Constancy in sun and showers!

 

Of course they want a loving mate

Yet feel no need to procreate!

But sans the patter of small feet,

Our pension pot will soon deplete!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024

Gate 16 - Adelaide Airport

Proud silver bird with wings outstretched

Being delayed, our flight affects …

On sultry tarmac, trucks deploy

The DNATA catering van I spy.

 

Then a cavalcade – long baggage train;

Beyond it, Adelaide’s vast plain

In purple haze in heat intense;

Leaving my family is a wrench …

 

While modest “Virgin” planes cruise by

Singapore Airline’s on standby:

Fast turnaround with great precision

It so deserves its top position!

 

‘SQ’ - synonymous with style

How its hostesses beguile!

Demure and graceful, always sweet

As honoured guests each one they greet!

(c) Poet in the woods 2024