An Evocative Hat Trick

Not all hat tricks bring us joy
Not are they sports-linked; a news ploy
Is in some weird way to join dots;
But this unlikely trio stops

Us in our tracks; how can it be
Not one star falls and burns, but three
On a single dark, November day
Miller, James and Rhodes all pass away?

Gone - Jonathan Miller's sparkling wit
So British theatre takes a hit
Chef Gary Rhodes fades in Dubai
His menus henceforth pie-in-sky ...

Sharp Vivian Leopold, known as Clive
Whose repartee spread fast worldwide
Putting Aussie culture on the map,
Bows out at Eighty - with corked hat...

While sudden losses sadden hearts;
Raw talent such as here imparts
Fond tastebud mem'ries or wry smile
So guess what – they live on a while!

(c) Poet in the woods 2019



Clive James 1(939-2019)  Australian Broadcaster)

Gary Rhodes (1960-2019) Celebrity Chef

Jonathan Miller (1934-2018)  UK Playwriter and critic

A Meditation on Black Friday

Can one celebrate at my age?
I think, as I put pen to page:
Been there, got the T-shirt too;
So, somewhat blasé, what's to do?

Life's breakneck pace speeds up some more!
I am breathless yet explore
Brand new pathways – but I dread
In some respects, what lies ahead...

This world's in turmoil, nothing's sure;
Social media likes to claw
From the depths of every mind
Fears and worries undefined.

Must great questions stay taboo?
And so I ask – as you must too
Why are we here if not to share
Life's burdens and show that we care?

The rest is dross; Black Friday sales:
A mad rush to rip clothes from rails
And snap up objects we don't need;
What's with this fad to sponsor Greed?

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

The Conversion - in Abeyance

It is quiet and peaceful, the wind blows
Skittering leaves are in the throes
Of a last mad fling before they die
Against a backcloth of grisaille...

The house, meanwhile, still looks forlorn
With the blue tarpaulin ripped and worn
While propped-up garage doors in grey
Keep nosy passers-by at bay!

Black netting hides the new facade
Though a window looks across the yard
November now is nearly done
But the finish date has overrun ...

Planks and sacks lie strewn outside
But who knows where the workmen hide?
Of their Polish truck no sign
So peace and quiet are once more mine ...

The drains are dug, the road relaid
Yet once again all is delayed
Perhaps this building site is hexed?
I wonder what will happen next ...


(c) Poet in the woods 2019

God Forbid!

God of Jealousy, God of Greed,
God of One-Upmanship? We need
Other Gods to shed their light ...
Though the God of Chaos does alright!

The God of Politics survives
Sending tremors through our lives...
But the God of Patience ain't enough
And the God of Kindness finds it tough.

How these False Gods love to row!
So Mount Olympus trembles now
As Fair Play, Truth and Common Sense
Fail to come to our defence.

Does the God of Media think us fools?
The Law's an Ass – we break the rules
The Old Gods, whom we much admired
Have, it seems to me, retired!

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

Poetic Eldorado!

I am amused; my blog now flies
Around the world! A great surprise!
My thoughts in poems touch your hearts
Like Cupid with his myriad darts!

It seems, though I was quite unknown,
My little poems liked to roam
To many places I've not been;
Thanks Internet! I've come on stream!

Is it word-of-mouth, or just plain chance?
These mystery readers so enhance
My days by looking at my odes;
I play with language, using codes

And puns, and can't resist critique;
Now many pop by every week!
And then, what joy! When least expected,
You leave comments – I've connected!

South America, where I've not been,
Often links up to my screen
And the Middle East has found my blog
So this poet is one happy bod!

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

Brits on a Knife Edge ...

Who can we now admire and trust?
Our current leaders' cut-and-thrust
Convinces very few of us
Which way to turn
It's now who tells the greatest lies
The NHS needs funds and tries
To voice complaint but - no surprise -
Reaction – none!

Well known shops can't meet their loans
More buildings, but no starter homes
BREXIT causes widespread moans
It's got to stop!
The Government hangs onto life;
Election fever causes strife
And TV propaganda's rife;
We're laughing stock!

We hurtle on a downward curve
While lacklustre MPs serve
Their own agenda – it's absurd
The Web pulls taut!
Youth voters are the ones who care
Decisions must be very clear
December 12th will soon be here
So time is short ...

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

Acqua Alta in Venice

Priceless treasures water-logged
San Marco Square mudstrewn and clogged
While gondolas bob on the waves
And tourists look on, stunned, amazed ...

Yet Acqua Alta comes and goes
Venice, no stranger to high flows
Keeps precious tomes on upper floors
While water swirls round tourist stores.

The lion of St. Mark observes
The Square - now fit for ducks, not birds!
This delta, once rich Island State
Was a trading nation in full spate.

Where the Doge, like Croesus, garnered gold
And merchants silks and spices sold
Till Magellan's sea route to the East
Made wealth to Portugal increase...

An UNESCO city now beset
By hoards of tourists, hopes unmet
Unable to stroll down main street
Without the challenge of wet feet!

(c) Poet in the woods 2019

The since 1987 UNESCO World Heritage property comprises the city of Venice and its l

agoon situated in the Veneto Region of Northeast Italy. Founded in the 5th century AD