On Passing on ...

The Media promotes souls who’ve died 

Their ‘famous’ lives neatly described;

Sportsmen, or stars on TV

 Much missed, but quite unknown to me …

 

Celebrities in their own sphere

Mourned by the Press keen to be there

But, on the world stage, have they stood?

Were they known for doing good?

 

What legacy is left behind?

‘Momentous’ lives, but were they kind?

Did they invent something new?

In a word, what DID they do?

 

Whether lives be long or short,

Long-lasting fame cannot be bought;

Revived perhaps on old film reel;

But of them, how much was real?

 

We’re all just candles on display:

A puff of wind blows us away;

It’s what we do while we are here;

When we pass over, who will care? 

(c) Poet in the woods (2026)

The End of the Dream?

“Fly me to the moon!” has taken on new meaning

And “being on the Far Side” is on TV screening.

How fascinating this all is, with raging wars below

As Apollo 13’s sequel makes media channels flow!

 

Since Artemis 2 escapes our much-loved Planet Blue

The Powers-that-Be, down here on earth, threaten life anew…

Who remembers Star Wars, which captured thoughts and views?

Is Target Moon a side show or distraction in the news?

 

“All men are merely players”, as William Shakespeare said

A theme still very valid, though he’s a long time dead

The Moon will lose its magic when it’s thoroughly explored;

For these astronauts it’s tragic, as their dreams go overboard!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

 

Easter Monday - on Awakening ...

I rise from slumber, the sun shines

It’s after eight, but no one minds;

On Easter Monday no bells chime,

Another whole day to call mine!

 

We long for peace but wars pervade …

More young souls find early grave;

In dire straits indeed (no pun);

The price of gas shocks everyone!

 

Yet, Easter means a well-earned break

 Watch sales of choc eggs escalate!

Here, Nature’s coat has verdant sheen;

For those well-heeled – a change of scene…

 

In woodlands nearby, bursts of song

Brave birds - for winter has been long;

They herald brighter, hope-filled days;

Their upbeat tempo my soul sways …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Not to be Sniffed At!

Another blank page glares at me!

Out in warm sun I’d like to be

Admiring Wordsworth's daffodils …

But I have ‘flu; am taking pills!

 

A honking cough, my lights sink low

I wrap up warm and take life slow

Obliged to cancel rendezvous

As sharing bugs ain’t what I do!

 

My sense of taste and smell - denied!

The dreaded ‘lurgy’ takes a ride

And snaffles all my ‘joie de vivre’;

Hence, paper hankies fill my sleeve!

 

So much for roast lamb feast with friend;

All things considered, I should spend

This Easter Day in bed – alone

With no companion but my phone!

 

These bugs are a real scourge, I’m told;

 Should I blame the constant cold

Which still pervades, although it’s Spring?

This Easter has a hollow ring …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

A Pre-Easter Message!

Damn sniffles and a sudden sneeze

Caught perhaps from icy breeze

Which holds us firmly in its grasp;

But surely, Spring has come at last?

 

Zingy ginger in my tea

 And lemon for vitamin C!

A second cardigan is wise

To warm me under sullen skies!

 

I need a scarf when I go out

A hassle I could do without;

This change of hour and lack of sleep

Combine to make my Muse less sweet!

 

But Easter looms - my wishes go

To all ‘out there’ who read my flow

Of thoughts, reflections, points of view…

It cheers me up to write for you!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Tram Access to the Airport?

Will Brussels build tram track at last

To take us to the airport* fast?

Such projects sound well-oiled, secure

Linguistic borders – be aware!

 

Here, politics can be a trial

I know, as I’ve been here awhile!

But public transport absorbs stress

As we can read, scroll down or rest!

 

More parking spaces disappear;

With petrol at the pumps so dear

There are those who in a fret

Decide to use their “trottinette”!

 

For safety reasons – a new law

Helmets must be worn by all!

More legislation and more fuss …

Thank goodness Boitsfort has its bus**!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

** STIB bus 17

* At Zaventem Airport

At the Imagination Club

We’re all so busy and so stressed;

Which boring task should we do next?

Thank goodness I work “à la carte”

With time off – to enjoy the park!

 

A clump of bluebells bring delight

I pass them on my way tonight

They cluster, roadside, by a tree:

A spot of colour – just for me!

This workshop* helps all types share views;

Smart thoughts “outside the box” enthuse

I listen carefully and admire

Offbeat reactions which inspire!

 

Each person names his own balloon

Then punches it across the room!

Next, round a “human tree” we form

A story and new links are born.

 

We pair with someone we don’t know

In silence, just armed with “play doh”

To imagine and create

A joint venture; it was great!

 

Imagination – to the fore!

Such fun to meet, greet and explore

The arcane workings of our minds;

Deep contemplation often binds!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Entitled " Body, Movement and Silence"

The creative mauve flower!

With Spring in my Step!

It’s Monday – a new week begins;

I do the laundry, empty bins

Gaze at the sky, pale shade of grey

And ponder on my tasks today.

 

While most of you are pressed for time,

And in crowded buses climb,

I watch the shadows now give way

To shafts of sunlight, which now play

 

Upon my terrace wall outside;

On growing buds, small insects hide.

The Great Awakening has begun

Winter’s cold embrace – undone!

 

Whatever happens, Nature thrives:

Its positive effect survives

So, once again, I don warm shoes

And walk, to chase away the blues!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

On the Tenth Anniversary

In a reflective mood today;

My terrace chairs, once put away,

Both clean and shiny, now await

My presence where I meditate.

 

Have you heard how sweet birds sing?

And daffodils form golden ring

Around trees in bright-green attired?

My Muse wakes up, once more inspired!

 

So many died ten years ago

In airport and Maelbeek metro

While others, who survived, still bear

Injuries requiring care…

 

What were YOU doing on that day*

When lives were shattered, torn away

From loved ones, as the die was cast

By ideologies held fast?

 

All innocent, all unprepared

So sudden, no time to be scared

A slice of life nipped in the bud

Memories encased in blood …

 

Was this Karma? Was this Fate?

We try to make sense and debate

The whys and wherefores of such acts;

Brave faces try to hide the cracks …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Terrorist attacks in Brussels on 22nd March, 2016

A Cheeky Conjecture!

Though Nature often floats my muse

And buoys me up (unlike the News!),

It seems we all must be aware

Of what is going on “out there”.

 

We need tranquillity and peace

Which never has, alas, long lease

As human folly never dies

But oft invades us in disguise!

 

“Doom scrolling” is the buzzword new

Describing what we all go through

As daily horrors rock our boat

And cause a tightening of the throat…

 

Keen journalists are put to task:

How to check their sources fast?

What are we supposed to do

To ascertain what’s fake, what’s true?

 

Car radios can be put on mute;

News bulletins on radios suit

Those who now forego T.V.

Newsprint? How life used to be!

 

Has it always been this way?

World events we cannot sway

But, we CAN choose what we read …

So, poetry fulfils a need!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

La Première - the Belgian French language radio station

De Profundis Clamavi

Though news gets worse and worse each day

Grave matters can’t be swept away;

Moreover, outside looks like rain

Which tries to clean my window pane…

 

Geopolitics be damned!

World trading nations take a stand

Each wanting larger slice of pie;

Meanwhile, we struggle to get by…

 

This gracious world is ours to share

But altruistic thoughts are rare

As precious metals, oil and grain

Are claimed by those on gravy train!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Title taken from Psalm 130...

A Meditative Walk

A hailstorm in mid-afternoon?*

So, our spring has come too soon

Battering sweet roadside flowers

Brought low, alas, by drastic showers!

 

Of course, we know life ‘springs’ surprises

And although the tree sap rises

Promising leaf growth anew,

We still have puddles to wade through!

 

Angst flies the flag in desert states;

Who rules the roost and now dictates?

Drones, once bees, now pose a threat

Ships stand still in bottleneck…

 

Will hand of Tarot cards reveal

The future in some much-sought deal?

The daily news makes us distraught:

For peace of mind – I take a walk!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* on 14th March, 2026

A New Viewpoint!

Life keeps us guessing; we can plan

But Nature plays “catch as catch can”;

Quite suddenly, we are derailed

Damned gremlins have our health assailed!

 

For a while my sight has blurred

I cannot sew, which is absurd

As needle threading is now hard

And reading challenges this Bard.

 

Letters shrink on mobile phone!

I learn that I am not alone

When I read my emails on the sly

With magnifying glass nearby!

 

Diagnosis – cataract!

If I want my good sight back

I need an op and brand-new lens;

To guide me I have two kind friends.

 

With modern techniques, there’s no pain

But being one-eyed is a strain;

Thank God I live in modern times

And can see to write my rhymes!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Tram Journey Thoughts

Ear-plugged passengers delight

In chatting – with no friend in sight;

Sometimes, in a tongue unknown

Completely hid from view, their phone!

 

In just a few years, heightened tension

Fires this A.I.-fuelled invention;

Influencers come on stream

Bewitching eyes on mini-screen!

 

Seductive clickbait steals our lives

Social media new trends drives!

Tough safety laws must be enacted

As bikers on phones are distracted…

 

Who sees the darling buds of spring

Outside the windows?* We look in

Ever glancing at our phone;

This ‘fear of missing out’ has grown!

 

Hand-held computer – way to go?

Good servant, yes, but master? No!

Deep-down, admit it, we’ve lost much

The warmth of friends, the human touch …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

* Composed when on the 44 tram to Tervuren ...

On Learning Sad News

We’re pulled up short when sad news comes;

The sand, which through the hour-glass runs

For each of us, now gives us pause

As we’re bound by Nature’s laws …

 

Infinity, a concept strong

Where we all feel we belong,

In time is shattered,  and we see

It hides a harsh reality.

 

We cling to our beliefs, our friends

We fool ourselves; so much depends

On factors out of our control

For each of us plays finite role.

 

It’s been like this since life began;

Credulity, thy name is Man!

But Hope - Pandora’s gift - sustains

So, we see sunshine, despite rains …

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

 

The Sands of Time

Just four days in and desert lands

Upset so many travel plans

The troubled skies light up at night

But not by any long-haul flight…

 

Hordes of passengers are stranded

Woe to those who have just landed!

Caught helpless, wondering what to do

World politics is led – by who?

 

The Strait of Hormuz shuts the door

Soon prices at the pumps will soar …

With the power vacuum now created

Peace talks seem fragile and inflated…

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

The Year of the Fire-Horse!

Tumultuous this Chinese year:

The feisty Fire-Horse struts here!

Upsets, upheavals, goalposts missed,

All untoward, we’re crisis-kissed!

 

Dire news from friends I read

Risks are coming home to breed!

Disasters clothed in myriad forms,

Routines beset by sudden storms…

 

Fire, death and illness fight for space …

The Wheel of Fortune picks up pace!

Thank goodness we can count on friends

Whose moral comfort never ends…

 

Money can’t solve every plight

Although of course when cash is tight

Despair comes knocking at our door

And stress can shake us to the core…

 

This Fire-Horse year, right on cue,

Runs roughshod; we must plan anew

As certainties are turned to dust …

But fight on to survive – we must!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

Dates: February 17th, 2026 - to February7th, 2927

19 Degrees in February!

Not all news is “also read”

Behold - hot temperatures in Feb!

The weathermen in Uccle sigh

Climate change, methinks, is nigh!

 

Pristine snow scenes, captured fast

By Jan’s photographer, will last.

But soon the clouds blocked out the blue

And dripping brollies furled anew!

 

Now February nears its end;

On warmer days we humans spend

Bird-trilled moments in bright sun

Where kerbs with daffs are overrun!

 

A host of crocuses I spy

Proof that the council has passed by …

Sweet Nature flirts in new attire

And doubtless, poets will inspire!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

  

On Chilling Out!

Our 'To-Do' list grows and grows ...

We’re busy, often in the throes

Of vital action or hard task;

“What must I do next?” you ask.

 

Drat, once again we put aside

An indulgence, let it slide …

Then, after urgent jobs get done

Tiredness stops us having fun!

 

There’s so much we’d like to do

As our friends need attention too,

But often, sadly, we’re time-poor

Struggling to complete each chore!

 

We never seem to find the time

To chill, as we’re “hooked” on line;

I muse – is modern stress a phase?

Perhaps we should re-think our days!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

The Value of Keeping in Touch

When you think of friends, you make that call

It’s been a while, so let’s not stall!

The friend in question hears your voice,

Flattered that you made this choice!

 

A bit of chit-chat, time goes by

Connections mean so much; you sigh

You may recall good times you’ve had

Though sometimes, what you learn is sad …

 

That’s why we nurture our dear friends

As every moment that one spends

With people who enhance our lives

Is precious, so friendship survives!

(c) Poet in the woods 2026

What's in a Date?

Milan, Cortina: Winter Games

Its snowy ambiance proclaims

Bronze medal* for the Belgian Team

A modest effort, it would seem …

 

Norway, meanwhile tops the polls;

Last TV coverage extols

Great prowess, skill and expertise:

They have the edge in times like these!

 

Observe elsewhere - the heat is on

It’s four years to the day, upon

Which, other matters topped the news;

I say no more but just leave clues …

 

Once more, a Sunday meditation:

Penned lightly without hesitation

Recalling what one cannot voice

In terms of dates – a double choice …

(C) Poet in the woods

Winter Olympic Games 5-22 February,  2026

* For short-track speed skating