Thomas - at 17 Months Old

On Skype I see my nephew grow
His tousled blonde hair – golden snow
He's told his auntie is 'on line'
He stares but does not speak this time.

At seventeen months, he weighs in strong
Though some infections trot along.
He toughens up – becomes immune
Resilient Thomas perks up soon!

He's now a handful, apt to stray
He drives his mini truck all day!
And though he stands up on two feet
And sways – he sits down on his seat!

However, now I have been told
He's broken out of silent mould:
Words one and two are “cat” and “car”;
As an orator he won't go far!

But at the crèche with kids and toys
He'll learn to filter words from noise
At this age “play” is where it's at
Perhaps that's where he saw the cat?

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

Hanging on!

How can one cope? Life's one big stress!
Huge learning curve; we cannot guess
What challenges will come our way
Standing still is NOT the way!

We try to keep up – it is hard
Worldwide disasters hit us hard
Immigrants in sinking boats:
A European summit votes ...

The world's gone mad; old values die
Each one for himself; we try
To think of others, make life fair
But the lure of money's always there.

We live beyond our means indeed
Financial gain our only creed
The values that we all once held
Like venerable oaks are felled!

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

Bewildered!

They don't tell you how hard it will be
To find your way around
The links and pathways of I.T.
Whose intricacies astound.

The mouse goes mad, new screens appear
Although my touch is light
I hesitate, reflect and stare
Then they vanish out of sight.

My “photo album” I can't find
Home Banking can't be done
New messages pop up and “chime”
I'm challenged and feel dumb.

Of course it's progress of a sort
But my learning curve is slow
Without a teacher I am fraught
Do others find it so?

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

The New Arrival!

My computer, faithful, shows its age
It's going through a dying phase
As new programmes come on line
It cannot cope, or takes its time

To read the latest high tech file;
Smart attachments cramp its style
Its inner workings creak and groan;
For several months now I have known

It's past its best and though it tries
I forecast sadly its demise.
Faced with blocked screens, I re-boot
Alzheimer's has attacked its root!

Decision time! It has to go
Now that its fastest speed is “slow”.
My work companion is wiped clean
A brand new laptop comes on stream.

No manual for me to read
So it's trial and error at my speed
My fingers soon will get the knack
With patience I'll be back on track!

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

Talbot House - Poperinge

Flanders – one hundred years ago
Slaughter on a massive scale
Bogged down in mud, morale was low
The Great War left a poignant trail.

In muddy trenches traumatized
Horror, noise and death too near
A few days' respite was much prized:
A deep sleep and a taste of beer!

In Poperinge, outside Ypres
Beyond the reach of German gun
Soldiers could relax and meet
Old comrades, chill out and have fun.

Soon as “Little Paris” known
Munitions centre, army Corps
Here booze was drunk, wild oats were sown
But neither crossed Toc H's door!

The Army rented “Talbot House”
Named for a soldier dead too soon
Good humour reigned – one could not grouse
Hot tea at all times was a boon.

A sleeping place for many men
In the hop barn at the back
Writing paper and a pen
Time to smoke, sing or just chat.

A chapel up the creaky stairs
Where men could go and meditate
Here Tubby Clayton offered prayers;
In wartime, fear does not abate.

Newspapers – scarce on the front line -
Found ready readers; men would leave
Short messages which they would sign
For friend or brother to retrieve.

A common sharing, ranks outside
This “home from home” left memories deep
Post war the brewer stepped aside
Now tourists find a place to sleep.

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

The Chapel under the eaves

Stampede!

Red carpet on the boulevard!
Our flagship M & S works hard
To re-enter Brussels with panache
The suspense is killing us – we dash

To Toison d'Or and join the queue;
In little groups we are let through
To stroll round this iconic store
The Food Hall beckons – let's explore!

Scones, tea biscuits, marmalade
Cheeses do a roaring trade
Free samples offered while we wait
Ten tills working at full spate!

Clothing, lingerie, sleepwear
All our favourites are there -
An Aladdin's cave of tried and true;
I'll be coming back, won't you?

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

Marks and Spencer re-opened in Brussels
on 7th May, 2015 but closed in November 2016 due to BREXIT.


I

Princess Charlotte, Liz, Diana

Source of excitement for the Press
May 2nd was the date
When an adorable princess
Was born to Wills and Kate.

Fourth in line now to the throne
And the hope of this fine nation
The royal child's name was unknown
Which caused great consternation.

Obliged to hold our breath and wait
For the couple to decide
How Prince George would his sister fête
The choice was open wide.

“Alice” seemed to top the poll
In the royals' wonderland
What was their dynastic goal?
Such decisions must be planned...

The secret's out at last, my friends
It's Charlotte, Liz, Diana
Methinks this name will start new trends
In no uncertain manner!

(c) Poet in the woods 2015

The Patter of Tiny Thomas

Time passes and the wee lad grows
He holds on tightly; in the throes
Of learning how to walk alone
It's bewildering this new unknown.

Meanwhile, he tries another skill
The joy of making sounds – a thrill!
He hears around him verbal noise
And wants to chatter, like all boys.

Mum and Dad do all they can
To articulate so little man
Can repeat and imitate a word
Alas, no breakthrough has occurred.

He babbles happily all day
But in what language? Who can say?
On the verge of talking, he's a hoot
With cheeky smile and gobbledygook!

(c) Poet in the woods 2015