Lovely IV

The variegated colour of
our Nasturtiums in full bloom
return year after year
when they first appear in June
They really are quite lovely
and I’m glad they reappear
as their colour in the garden
brings us pleasure, yes and cheer

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Bussokuseki III

Bussokuseki
This poetic triplicate
ends today with this
Now it’s found there will be more
Art is never satisfied
Never still the poet’s pen

That lavender time again IV

I’m going to need a bigger basket
this year I think as I
harvest all my lavender
which has grown tall and high
For this year all my bushes
a bumper crop have grown
and I have much more lavender
than I have ever known

Bussokuseki II

Finding words to form
to syllabic sequencing
always a pleasure
Challenging but daily done
Satisfaction guaranteed
with bussokuseki found

Bussokuseki I

Bussokuseki
Japanese poetic form
In the form of five
and then three sets of seven
for syllabic sequencing
Tanka with an extra phrase

Tri-haiku XX (Circular Green)

This circular green
Grown, cut back, abundant now
as summer takes hold

This circular green
A comfort true and fragrant
These summer senses

This circular green
With me, part of me, in me
I am in summer

Two Lavenders

Bought two big lavenders in pots
two years or so ago
and whereas one has grown abundant
the other one’s been slow
Having said that, the one I planted
is the one that’s done the best
So there’s a lesson here I think
to learn and in that time invest

Drusillas

We went down to Drusillas
for our anniversary
four of us this time, Bezza
Sally, Grace and me
There were parties of schoolchildren
but we made an escape bid
and marched on up ahead of them
so from the masses hid

Sal and I as senior citizens
got cheaper entry too
First time to take advantage
just for asking, as you do
And we made sure that we got there
when it opened on the dot
As that’s always best on days like this
especially when it’s hot

Walking Sussex 3 (revisited)

10 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Slonk Hill circle to the Dyke,
sky surfers with a beer
Much warmer in the sunshine,
filled our hearts with cheer
Cloud cover in the afternoon
but when the sun came out
It was warmer than we’d felt of late,
of that there was no doubt

Sussex shores revisited

9 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Muddy brown midst churning waves
I hear the ocean sing
with yellow skies beneath the grey
and seagulls on the wing
Tumultuous the breakers there
foaming on the beach
the anger of the waters’ voice
staying out of reach
Yet despite that thinly veiled threat
there is beauty here today
the power of these Sussex shores
which take my breath away

Sussex Fields revisited

8 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Sussex fields so
bright and green
nicest that I
think I’ve seen
And when the sun
breaks over hill
I think that they
are nicer still

Walking Sussex 4 (revisited)

7 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Beachy Head to Birling Gap,
the lighthouse red and white
The Seven Sisters rolling cliffs
made an awesome sight
Day four of walking Sussex
and this one by the coast
The hottest day we’ve had so far
and the week is gone, almost.

A Sussex view (revisited)

6 of 10 in the Jemverse “Sussex” series

Sun sets on a winter sea
Golden ‘cross wet sand
as we go walking at low tide
as lovers, hand in hand

Obi’s here of course with us
trotting at our feet
His paws wet in the water
and enjoying this fine treat

Ringing Sussex (revisited)

5 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Today we walked from Ring to Ring
beneath a winter sky
The sun shone bright despite the threat
of rainfall by and by

Plans long laid, fruition saw
a walk unlike no other
With smile and gusto two men went
friends yes, but also brothers

Fair Sussex (revisited)

4 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Green corridors down quite lanes
in Sussex countryside
There’s such a richness to explore
in this place where we reside

We count our blessings every day
No matter where we are
Be it close to home and underfoot
or further out by car

Into Sussex (revisited)

3 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Crossed the border into Sussex
Chalk paths underfoot
Thirty miles behind us
Twenty more to go to boot
Harting Down to Cocking
along the South Downs Way
with the sunshine our companion
on a beautiful Spring day
The hills got ever higher
but the views from every crest
made the challenge so rewarding
When we stopped to have a rest

Walking Sussex 5 (revisited)

2 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Familiarity breeds content,
of that I am quite sure
As for our final walk in Sussex
we’re back at the start for more
Two rings with woodland in between,
cows in the field and sheep
Undulating downland and hills
that aren’t that very steep.
Chanctonbury wealdland view
takes the breath away
And is particularly stunning
on a clear, bright Springtime day
And after five days walking Sussex
hills with Wainwrights at the bar
The rest respite with sunshine
was perfect at the Star.

Found myself in Sussex (revisited)

1 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Found myself in Sussex
in fields of verdant green
Early Spring or Summer
the best that I had seen

Seemed time for adventure
in hills I hold so dear
The ones right on my doorstep
so close and yes, so near

40

Forty years ago today
I put my white suit on
The one I bought for twenty quid
in Jayson’s Menswear from
And the only tie I think I had
was a black one from my Dad
and a pair of his old shoes
I’d kept since I was just a lad

Joie de vivre V

To be honest
there are many things
that bring a joie de vivre
as I get pleasure
from the simple things
I see each day ’round me

It is zest and
it is laughter
It’s both these things and more
It’s the essence
of the wonder
to find out what life is for

Joie de vivre IV

And then there’s music
brings me back
when really I’m still there

Brings a tingle
brings a shiver
A joie de vivre to share

Joie de vivre III

Just a simple glimpse
of yellow does the trick
to bring a smile and tear

Fills my heart
with summer sun
and joie de vivre and cheer

Tri-haiku XIX (Summer)

Now this summer sun
brings yellow to the fore
and I am shining

Now this summer sun
brings a warmth that radiates
and I am browning

Now this summer sun
brings a laughter to the fore
and I am grinning

Breakfast on the beach

Down at the beach hut
for bacon and eggs
Early Saturday morn
No-one else here
just us and the sea
on the beach not long after dawn

July

11 of 12 in the Jemverse series ’12 months II’

In seventy-nine
Forty Julys back
two kindred spirits wed
A fledgling love
grown stronger since
and deeper it’s been said

Something I do

It’s been said before
but my pen can’t keep still
as I write every day
on a whim and a will
Words about life
I see around me
and the things that I do
and the world that I see

Gorgeous II

Rustic, these sculptures
turn their heads to the sky
be it grey or bright blue
with clouds floating by

In our garden their splendour
brings pleasure each day
Each unique and quite gorgeous
in their own special way

Constant Singing

Came back to the beach
but I didn’t stay long
for instead of the sun yesterday
Out to the East it looked a bit grim
and the clouds to the West were all grey

Having said that this place
be it raining or shine
has a magic that constantly sings
So I’ll always return and sit here a while
whatever the weather it brings