Four flights of steps between

Three rooms, four flights of steps divide
my life these days its seems
and one might question why and what
that self-containment means

But I am not perturbed by it
and not imprisoned I
No captive here, no punishment
I happily get by

Swathes of sun

It’s hopeful seeing swathes of sun
in the garden daily here
even though it’s three weeks hence
til longer daytime cheer
It’s not until the end of March
that British Summer Time
gives us more daily sunlight
as we turn to warmer clime

Twelfth of March

Today it is the twelfth of March
a Friday nonetheless
here in twenty twenty-one
a fact I here profess
However, having said that
nowt particular to say
about this Friday twelfth of March
in any special way
Apart from as a daily fact

The whimsy of a long moment

Took a moment yesterday
to smile and drift away
somewhere very pleasant
where once we got to stay

It was a special moment
and I wanted it to last
so I really took some time
to make sure it slowly passed

Lucidity

In moments of lucidity
with my eyes open wide
I clearly see what needs to be
out here and from inside
With 20/20 vision
I take a good look all around
absorbing everything I need
from heavens to the ground
And then when I am satisfied
these treasures I will store
for moments of lucidity
when I will see some more

Back to the beach

I haven’t been down to the beach
in quite a long while now
mainly due to lockdown
and a feeling that somehow
if it doesn’t feel quite right
to walk down into town
because of all the idiots
who spread this virus round
then as to get down to the beach
a walk through town is needed
I think my own advice is here
advice that is well heeded

A toast to Springtime

Springtime’s definitely on it’s way
as in the pot out front
two daffodils are glowing
as from the earth they shunt

‘Glowing’ here and ‘growing’
the choice of word is right
as after winter’s iron chill
they are a welcome sight

Tri-tanka XIV – tanka

Concluding Tri-tanka week (7 of 7)

Tanka week is done
well…when you’ve read this it is
Seven days of verse
each with syllabic sequence
replicated thrice each day

Five and seven and
five and seven and seven
Five lines, thirty-one
syllables to frame each verse
Heralding poetic voice

Tanka week is done
By and by there will be more
This is cathartic
so to it I will return
as it is a favourite

Tri-tanka XIII – Saturday

6 of 7 for Tri-tanka week

Following coffee
my Saturday slow starting
pauses yet again
Cathartic indecision
rules and I’m happy with that

Tri-tanka XII – morning

5 of 7 for Tri-tanka week

It is quiet now
and dark and silent and still
Night-time clings on here
determined not to let go
Failing as the morning comes

Light slowly merges
The darkness slip-slides away
as a new day dawns
Witness to awakening
this is privilege indeed

Tri-tanka XI – Shining

4 of 7 for Tri-Tanka week

Throughout and shining
lighting night into morning
driven by the sun
solar for the twinkling time
little lights to guide the way

Tri-tanka X – tall

3 of 7 for Tri-Tanka week

Majestic it stands
steadfast through the many years
Stoic and resigned
yet with aire of regal poise
absent of all arrogance

Tri-tanka IX – Joy

2 of 7 for Tri-Tanka week

It was full of sun
so I ran and I ran
and bounded about
for this is my expression
of joy in its purest form

It was full of sun
so we watched him run and run
and happily bound
This too is our expression
of joy in its purest form

Beginning VII (aka Tri-tanka VIII – beginning)

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

(& 1 of 7 for Tri-tanka week)

And so March begins
The promises multiply
from nature and man
for spring time and other things
providing wisdom remains

And so March is here
with sunshine already strong
its lack-lustre passed
as it pushes to summer
encouraging new growth

And so March begins
May we please use it wisely
and bring fruition
for it has been a long year
and we are so very close

Tri-haiku XXXII – Time’s Passage

The last of the month
where has February gone?
already it’s March

But no complaints here
for summer’s ever closer
Warmer daytime soon

Coupled with new growth
Springtime around the corner
with grass now greener

Tri-tanka VII (Music)

Music it is said
is today the food of life
Soul food for the mind
Often hungry, it satisfies
Momentarily it fills

Many flavours here
to sample, taste and enjoy
for my sustenance
So yes, I will fill my boots
a bon vivant for music

Tri-sedoka V – Friday

I long for Friday
as when it arrives each week
I can relax into the
knowledge that for the
next two days time slows right down
and all of this time is mine

Tri-haiku XXXI – Daffodil Laughter

A vibrant greeting
bursting in Springtime yellow
sunshine to my day

A splash of colour
to the monotone palette
of winter greyness

Daffodil laughter
brightens up most any day
Truly infectious

The tree-monster’s tail

The tree-monster’s tail
stuck out of the ground
and though it was still
I made little sound
For there was no telling
and never a clue
what it would decide
and choose when to do

Social distance birthdays

It was murky on the Dyke today
and you could not see far
which really was a pity as
the view’s spectacular

You’ll have to take my word for that
because the picture shows you nowt
of what Sussex has to offer
and what the Weald is all about

Contentment in an Englishman’s castle

Yes I’m an Englishman and it is said
that his home is his castle indeed
And I do declare
and here freely share
that I’m happy to stand by that creed

Sheep convention

The sheep had a convention
in the upper field today
I suspect grass was the subject
or some munching anyway
And there were clearly some ringleaders
as they moved around a lot
their noses buried in the grass
from spot to luscious spot

Jab

Got the text on Monday morning
best news I have had
as today in just a little while
I’ll have had the job
And yes, we’ll still be careful
but if you need a thing
to put a smile upon your face
and give you cause to sing
Then this is up there at the top
of all the things to give
Something truly wonderful
allowing all to live

For Pops

Look at me now Pops, I’m an older man now
I’m past sixty, the years have flown by
That slap in the face
has long turned to grace
yet still on this day I will cry

Nineteenth of February nineteen seventy-four
etched in my mind for all time
The day that you left
leaving family bereft
although all these years later we’re fine

I ran and I ran

There was ice in my field
round the tree in the middle
most of it solid
but some of it brittle
But I didn’t mind ‘cos
the ground it was firm
so my paws found their grip
with less squither and squirm
And I ran and I ran
my ears all at random
exploring three acres
in sheer joy abandon

Thirty-four

On a February day
thirty-four years ago
I remember quite well
the remains of the snow
as on a bright morning
I walked by the sea
so proud of the fact
of no longer ‘to be’
But actually now
a father at last
all those long months of waiting
now finally past
For there on that day
to Sally and me
the gift of a daughter
with our Emily

Summer to share

The warmth on my shoulder
as I sit here and write
is really quite lovely
in this winter sunlight
It feels just like summer
and if I close my eyes
I can see myself there
with no little surprise

Holiday VI

Five days off, I can scarce believe it
it’s been a tough few weeks
The hours I’ve worked
have been berserk
few troughs but many peaks

Relaxation guaranteed
the most I’ll make of this
There’ll be some sounds
and walks with hounds
in five days of pure bliss