New Priorities

Who would have a thought a walk would be

Top-of-the-list when we are free?

And with a dear friend by our side

It is great. I know, I’ve tried!

 

It’s little things, the common touch

In COVID times, which mean so much.

A phone call, postcard, FB link

Can jerk us back from boredom’s brink.

 

I don’t know how it is for you,

But this Jan opens vistas new;

A good de-clutter helps our ch’i

To flow freely; Vive Feng Shui!

 

We ponder many trivial trends;

Browsing’s out, as no one spends

Much effort buying last year’s stock

So, Nature walks now hit the spot!

 

Our Perfect Planet, long neglected

Needs our care, must be protected

Healthy forests disappear

Bushfires rage in Southern sphere*…

 

We talk of aid for poorer Nations

But what we need is “Action Stations!”

Deep down we know we’re profligate

Wake up, Folks, it’s not too late!

 

In Western lifestyles fuelled by greed

Is “Make and Mend” such a bad creed?

Tragic imbalance – so unfair

Contentment burgeons when we share!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

*Australia

 

 

Grey Thoughts in Sleet!

Winter knows what it’s about!

Cheeks burn with sleet as I set out

Bare branches shimmer, wan-sun kissed

The Hautes Fagnes glow with snowy pistes…

 

But even in the open air

Ski lifts dangle, cold and bare

Weekend tourists cannot come

As COVID bans fun in the sun.

 

No chance to turn a trick or three

As home’s the place we have to be;

Hands-on professions cannot start:

Tattooists fail to make their mark!

 

Warm hats and scarves: we hide away

Unsightly roots of ageing grey

It’s easy and shows common sense

Why fuss to keep up the pretence?

 

Our standards slip, this harsh world’s real

Why bend your nose to the grind wheel?

New vistas beckon: less is more

An untried mindset to explore …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

 

Thomas Turns Seven!

‘Now we are six’ is so last year

We turn the page and it is clear

Dear Thomas, you have reached new heights

Proud Auntie in your skills delights!

 

It’s not my fault I’m not in Oz,

I’m sad but this is all because

The COVID virus stops planes flying

So, in my own way, I am trying

 

To wish you, on your special day

When you turn seven, “Hip! Hurray!”

I’m sure your Mum will bake cupcakes

I’ve seen what yummy things she makes!

 

Great celebrations there will be …

No doubt you’ll have some friends to tea

Or a special picnic in the park

How I wish I could take part…

 

Your love of learning warms my heart;

You’ve made of maths a special art

I taught you how to tell the time

Perhaps now - you can read this rhyme?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Thomas on his new bike!

Thomas reading his birthday poem from Auntie!

Un-President-ed!

Democracy came under threat

An epiphany as not seen yet

Capitol focused and invaded

The President still unpersuaded.

 

In his eyes - election stolen

And yet the bell for him was tolling …

While College votes were deftly counted

Tension on the outside mounted.

 

Angry hordes soon scaled the walls

Broke through the cordon, rushed indoors

A day of infamy declared

Trump’s folly had the Nation scared …

 

Crazed storming of U.S. Bastille

Misguided crowds fought to be “free”.

Agog, the world watched overnight;

Trump’s words which Biden said incite

 

The populace to storm the Hill;

Speaker’s desk gate-crashed – a thrill!

The National Guard put to the test:

Four deaths and fifty-two arrests.

 

All to confirm election goal

As sure as eggs – some heads will roll!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Felinity!

 Let’s take New Year Resolutions

2021 – year of confusions*

Disappointments and illusions

Life – a challenge!

Protracted upset of world nations

Lock-down status – tough temptations!

Arcane plans for vaccinations

But we manage.

 

If we look through Future’s lens

Maybe we can pick out trends

Which the Universe now sends;

We’ve gone too far

Restrictions of all kinds are grim

Past happy freedoms seen as sin

Human patience wearing thin

We’re under par.

 

Cats have nine lives - we have one;

They stalk the streets in search of fun

Or bask content in gentle sun

While we’re indoors;

We both on sofa can stretch out

Far niente rules, there is no doubt

But now we feel like lashing out

With angry claws!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Under COVID

Volcanic Thoughts

Sales in January at last!

No madcap rush with Christmas past

Speed limit 30 – the new rule

Persistent rain, kids back at school…

 

A silent morning, most at home

Unchallenged, bored and quite alone

Bemoaning this unnatural state

The vaccine cometh – yet we wait!

 

Two famous deaths just days ago:

Pierre Cardin, style icon, laid low

Claude Brasseur, actor, leaves the stage

Obituaries on history page…

 

Yet the “Perfect Planet” in full colour

Thrilled this poet like no other:

Volcanoes spewing through Earth’s crust

Bring life and death in equal thrust.

 

They're Nature’s way of showing stress

Unstoppable, they never rest

But lie quiescent, sometimes ages

Ere bursting forth in angry rages!

 

Faced with this sudden firework show:

Bold sparks, hot embers, lava flow …

Proud Man is put back in his place

Perhaps he too, will leave no trace …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

On BBC1 - commentary by Sir David Attenborough

Pierre Cardin: 2.7.1922 - 29.12.2020

Claude Brasseur: 15.6.36 - 22.12.2020

A Sunday Rant!

 The year is young

The trap is sprung!

Diaries begun;

We count the cost …

Hesitation?

Inspiration

Might occasion

Joy – or frost.

 

Days:  short and dark

Without a spark

Hold tight! Keep heart!

But it is tough …

Life just online

At first was fine

Now fatal sign

We’ve had enough.

 

Computer links

Where we clink drinks

Won’t iron out kinks;

Lock-down’s too much!

As humans need

Not online screed

Or books to read

But human touch …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021