Isabella - in the Pink!

How blessed am I with this sweet gem:

Petite and poised down to striped hem!

Now three and growing very fast

These captured moments soon flash past…

 

Nonchalant with legs crossed over

Our pixie - arm outstretched - in clover

Rosy cheeks by bonnet ringed

Her pink aura - quite undimmed.

 

Too young as yet to feel much stress

She rides, untrammelled, on her crest

Where school and COVID hold no sway

All trauma for another day.

 

Seen through the artistic eye

Of clever Mum, caught on the fly

Encapsulating love’s sweet dream

In the cup of life - pure cream!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

On DNA Testing

Who wants to learn their DNA

And give their heart and soul away?

Yes, we can now dive in gene pool

Thanks to this intriguing tool.

 

It might confirm what we’ve been told

Or some unsavoury tale unfold ...

An indiscretion won’t stay hid

Perhaps we’re someone else’s kid!

 

A gob of spittle in a tube

Might engender family feud

Add branches to our family tree

Or solve a cold case mystery.

 

Large companies, I name no names,

Make startling and amazing claims

For this gift that keeps on giving

Ensuring them an easy living!

 

What if the test clears up a doubt?

A long-lost ancestor found out …

We think we know where we belong;

Imagine if we learn we’re wrong!

 

This two-edged sword we’ve come to know

Big ‘spanners-in-the-works’ can throw;

We’re curious our roots to find

Though answers might just blow our mind!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

 

January - on the Move!

 Snow, sleet and slush we’ve seen before

Now rain soaks deep on forest floor;

Today a primrose sun, blue skies

Small aerobic birds surprise!

 

Make no mistake, while we’re inside

Wee tendrils burst forth just outside

Wow! Odd-shaped buds on silent trees

Which grow, defiant, in the freeze.

 

Marauding fox and graceful owl

In dark shadows keenly prowl;

No curfew for our woodland friends,

Some may come to sticky ends!

 

Will dawn dispel night’s chilly grip?

Puddles mirror street lights lit;

Every day more sunlight comes

As owners take their dogs for runs.

 

Neighbours scrape ice, rev cold cars

Perhaps observing the last stars;

The local school at foot of slope

Stays open, parents watch and hope …

 

Early growth – watch where you tread!

Nature burgeons, far from dead;

To keep at bay those winter blues

Observe bold nature – and enthuse!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

A New Dawn for Joe

Jan 20 - what a windy day!

The Capitol in proud array

With Stars and Stripes in ordered rows;

The National Guard kept on its toes.

 

With Forty-Six on limo plate

The ending of a fierce debate

At Arlington, all hearts beat fast

 As Joe observes the troops file past.

 

Biden’s speech, bold invitation

Unity - for troubled Nation!

So much to do, so little time;

As President, Joe needs to sign

 

In Oval Office, his first day:

Accord on Climate here to stay;

COVID claims more lives than War

Here Biden hopes that he will score

 

By putting healthcare at the top

So all fake news and “tweets” must stop.

Ambitious yes, this Democrat

Who as a V.P. often sat -

 

By Obama, knows the rules

And legislates while anger cools.

Security and troops are key;

The E.U. buoyed with hope, can see

 

That Joe, now fully “at controls”

Has other views and brighter goals

Kamala Harris at his side

Her Senate role a tricky ride…

 

And what of he* who slinks away

What role does he intend to play?

The winds of change are blowing strong

Lost on the airways his swan song!

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

Joe Biden elected 46th President of the U.S. on 7th November, 2020.

* Donald J. Trump - 45th President of the U.S.

Passing the Baton?

Through different sources comes bad news,

So now, in emails I peruse

Much recalls friends who have died

Or those perched on the Great Divide…

 

Intransience is so hard to grasp

When each goodbye may be the last

With family travel now cut short

Long distances make us distraught…

 

I think of those in distant places

How I long to see their faces

Loved ones, family and friends:

My heart to all of them extends.

 

When it works, I.T. is fine

We can see our friends on line;

But life, folks, shouldn’t be this way

With COVID (damn it!) here to stay!

 

It’s more than time to take a stand;

Attenborough’s* helping hand

Will, we hope, the young inspire

Otherwise, things will be dire.

 

For years his words have wielded clout

Now ninety-four, time’s running out

Will politicians now take heed?

Is feisty Greta** up to speed?

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

*Sir David Attenborough (born 1926)

**Swedish activist Greta Thunberg (born 2003)

 

 

The Last Week-End?

The world stands poised for change we know,

Pristine mounds of melting snow

Thaw underfoot as out we go

With well-shod feet;

It’s as if Nature blanks the past

Biden waits his chance at last

The old regime, soon to be cast

Out in the street…

 

Winter’s blanket starts to fray

The frosty filigree gives way

To mirrored mud pools tinged with grey;

The cold dawn cracks!

Pigeons, on woodland rim, swoop low

In fragile sunlight they all know

Life is awakening below

They must make tracks …

 

Still in our closed world* we abide

No let-up on this long, long ride

Which has our patience sorely tried

For quite a while;

In spring when leaves dress every tree

And birds and bees rejoice, will we

Be vaccinated and mask-free?

 Doubt clouds my smile …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021

* Under COVID lock-down

It's Worrying ...

I cast around in troubled seas

To see what floats in wintry breeze

Take Cork: Irish infections rise

Post-Christmas break – sad, bad surprise.

 

Clause 50 banned, Trump Texas-bound

Impeachment now has louder sound;

In Heysel, there’s no motor show

But sales continue – who will go?

 

Out on a limb, we get chores done:

Each day – some extra rays of sun!

We clutch at straws, connect on Skype

And wonder, will our lives come right?

 

Our minds confused; books our escape!

 Past times recalled; old memories raked …

Life isn’t like it used to be

The future, veiled, seems hard to see …

(c) Poet in the woods 2021