In Sussex

Rainshadow on November sea
braced against the weather we
into strong sou’ westerly
In Sussex where we live

Swans (haiku)

Swans on Widewater
nestled behind the beach
here on Sussex coast

The mermaid’s necklace

A mermaid left her necklace
on the breakwater today
I spied it at low water
as the waves comes in to play

I’m sure she will have missed it
as it really caught my eye
washed there in the water
as the winter waves came by

So I hope that she will find it
and to the lost lay claim
when come the midnight moonshine
she comes this way again

A sheep’s lot

A sheep looking chilly
there in the field
caught my eye when just passing
in the Sussex Weald

Forlorn it stood pleading
with a look it its eye
“Could it come with me?”
as I wandered by

A reflection of winter

I caught an oak’s reflection
in a puddle Friday last
whilst walking in a field
by a tree that I went past

It reminded me that winter
on this chill November day
was close as from its branches
all the leaves had gone away

So I didn’t dilly dally
but paused there just enough
to ponder that reflection
of the tall oak there above

Thwarted

I felt like a wander
out to the Loop
six miles again over the Downs
But the rain paid a visit
its objectives upheld
resigned to stay home with some frowns

And yes I agree with you
strongly in fact
the weather shouldn’t get in the way
but I tell you the stair rods
falling out there
made their point as they had their say

Ballistic Nasturtiums

The nasturtiums’ gone ballistic
even though the summer’s gone
as it’s reaching now to skyward
and its stems are very long
It’s spreading ‘cross the garden
showing no sign of demise
which with its splash of colour
at this time of year is wise

Julie’s plate

Julie’s plate makes for a picture
with oranges waiting there
in the middle of our table
for a feast we’ve yet to share
and as the light was perfect
and the depth of field just right
I thought I’d take a picture
as they made a lovely sight

Autumn’s glory II

There’s a golden yellow blanket
covering the grass
as leaves fall from forsythia
now autumn comes to pass

November sees a bluster
and they fall down to the ground
the foliage from the summer
now for a winter found

Wet paws

It was quite damp in Obi’s field
near Ashurst, Sunday last
the rain came down like stair rods
and the sky was overcast
the ground was rather sodden
more marshland than a field
the penalty for being
in the flat of Sussex Weald

Stopham Bridge III

In Sussex there’s a bridge
Built in fourteen twenty-two
now closing on six hundred years
since its fine stones were new
It spans the river Arun
near Stopham Village where
it’s provided here a crossing
for local folk to share

The November cast

The November cast belittles
with sunshine seldom seen
so when it makes appearance
I’m the best I’ve ever been
For I have never been a fan
of rain or winter cold
It brings a sag of shoulders
with a promise seldom sold

The Thrum

The surf beat the shingle
loud as a drum
with rising crescendo
for rhythm and thrum
and the wind and the sea
gave their voice to the choir
for a symphony there
to absorb and admire

Atmospheric IV

Atmospheric I think you might say
of the beach at Shoreham this evening
with the white of the surf from the waves on the shore
and the taste of salt they were leaving
The wind caught our breath and took it away
as we leant to sou’westerly facing
and a laugh shouted loud at the thrill of it all
was lost in the ambiance bracing

And…relax!

Yesterday come teatime
as today I can now speak
I finished what can only
be described as a long week
For I’d done my level best
as each day came and went
and failed most days as longer
hours on each I’d spent
But now I can relax
in a host of different ways
as now I am on leave
for at least the next six days

Seasons song

I have a mind’s eye picture
of autumn here to find
which I’d like to share with you
and hope that you don’t mind
For though it’s one of fading
from a summer that’s now passed
it’s also one of hope
which I know is set to last

Testament befitting

The pastel pink of evening
was in the sky tonight
as I sat writing poems
and caught the lovely sight
So with my i-phone there I captured it
before it went away
attesting to the passing
of another lovely day

Sunshine bright II

Sunshine bright streams through my window
at the beginning of the day
its warmth there on my shoulder
very welcoming I’d say

Especially now it’s winter
and it’s rather cold outside
and though the sun’s still out there
its heat it tends to hide

Mist Ethereal

The mist above the river
was ethereal today
most evident on the bypass
as back home we made our way
The golden of the sunshine
like a yellow echo there
as we drove into the spectral
which consumed most everywhere

The winter months

And now it’s turning colder
with a frost out there today
the first white stuff I’ve seen for months
has come it seems to stay
And I’m not enamoured by that
if truth be told I’d say
as I would rather have the warmth
of summertime, but hey!

Golden II

In the churchyard there’s a tree
which is golden at this time
particularly lovely when
on days like this it’s fine
I’m thinking it is magical
with a secret proud to share
showing off its wonder here
to all who stop and stare

Positivity

Thinking positivity
something bright for smile
especially as now it seems
it’s lockdown for a while

We need a little brightness
something cheerful each day
to lighten mood and strengthen
if just in a small way

So here’s a little uplifter
in verse as is my gift
which I hope will do just that
for you and bring a lift

Obi’s safe place

The sun outside the window
in these autumn days I’ll keep
as the warmth is nice to feel
in this chair where oft I sleep

I like it here, it is a place
where I feel safe, secure
and when the sunshine streams right in
it has for me allure

For I will find a certain spot
where I can rest my nose
and feel that warming sunshine
whilst I have a little dose

Tri-haiku XXIX (Fireworks)

Bright against the sky
Bangs and sparkles, cries of joy
Fireworks in the night

My southern hills

Last time I came along this way
it was chalk upon my feet
Clouds of dust cooked by the sun
in lovely summer heat

But what a change here now to see
now autumn rains have come
the dried out dip now water-filled
reflecting autumn sun

November reflections

Clouds in the field
and up in the sky
caught my eye there
as I wandered by
Some in the green
and others in blue
reflecting each other
the fall to eschew

A lucky chap I am

Up on the six mile circuit
these hills retain their charm
bathed in an autumn sunshine
they bring a certain calm
And wandering by these hedgerows
with berries bright and red
this is the perfect place to be
o’er anywhere else instead
So I put best foot forward
and walked because I can
so conscious of the simple fact
a lucky chap I am

Beginning III

3 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months IV’ series

Two more months of ‘twenty’
and what a year it’s been
one that took us by surprise
the strangest one we’ve seen
Yes, I know it’s not yet over
and I’m not wishing time away
but now it is November
thought I ought to have my say
We have been through thick and thin
and though summer was sublime
the arrival of the virus
has brought a darker time