The shifting sea

At the ebb of a tide I'll slink to the shore
and though nought to hide I'll be back for more
for this is my movement and what I am for
as I am the shifting sea

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The sunflower is mine

I met Vincent in a painting
there was yellow everywhere
two men who loved the sunshine
for a synergy right there

Cathartic was the moment
though he's no longer here
but the colour in his painting
still brings to us good cheer

Galatea

With Venus shining in the sky
for Galetea a sunset gleamed
and sixteenth century playwright vibes
descended to the place it seemed

L-G-B-T-Q-I-A
the message loud and clear
spoken, signed and acted
whilst the crowd applauded here

Penultimate

The week that's passed, I believe will be
the penultimate week I'm away
on business for the work that I do
hip hip hip, hooray!

I know that I won't miss this thing
these business trips and travel.
One less small inconvenience
I'll not need to unravel

The day of sunshine smiles

There in the grass the colour shone
here for a time before they're gone
the pinks and yellows beamed upon
a day of sunshine smiles

It was exquisite, erudite
a picture here to underwrite
the evidence here in my sight
a day of sunshine smiles

Bluebell Loop

Bluebell by name and bluebell by nature
the walk was the best in a while
Seven miles wandering the countryside pure
in Sussex to bring us a smile

Five of us this time, numbers have swelled
the family out here together
with mud underfoot and grey of the sky
determined whatever the weather

We took in the woods with the blue and the green
passing paddocks and ponds on the way
before walking the tracks yesteryear provides still
the proud Sussex Bluebell Railway

Coronation Day (aka ‘Charlie’s big hat’)

It rained for the Coronation, puddles everywhere
but that didn't stop the nation with its pageantry to share
Most of us just stayed indoors to watch it on TV
a rarity in fifty-two but not in twenty-three

I heard that on Hove lawns a giant screen erected
but the precipitation meant that just a few selected
to brave out there the elements early May has gifted
though on this special day most spirits still were lifted

Colours in number

I know that I knew that the yellow and blue
would under the sun and sky above true
when the springtime arrived would carry their shine
and bring me a smile which would then be mine

And I knew that I knew that their radiance there
in my garden would be a gift to then share
For these are the times I awake from my slumber
and find all these colours in many a number

Ancient yet familiar

No.17 in the ‘Past to Present’ series

From the Saltings 'cross old oyster beds
the town of Shoreham lay
steeped in ancient history
and yet familiar today

The Norfolk (then suspension) bridge
to fore of course long gone
and the brewery chimneys now replaced
by newer builds upon

The High Street of the new town
with St Mary's to the rear
a town that lives in history
which we all hold so dear

May the fourth be with you III

Eight years ago on Star Wars Day
and Obi Wan Kinobi
Small brown, all pudding paws and plump
came to live and stay

Name - no brainer (Ed decided)
so Obi Wan Kinobi
could not on May the fourth be else
something in all confided

So eight years on and May the Fourth
with Obi Wan Kinobi
be with you all and with you stay
on Star Wars day of course

Newcastle III

I'm back in Newcastle, it's been a fair while
but this city of bridges still brings a smile
so don't saddle me with mundane or purile
for these are words from the heart

It's a few degrees colder, I'll give you that
but I have a warm coat and some gloves and a hat
so don't take me for a weak Southern brat
for these are words from the heart

Climping Beach

Walked a five mile loop in a landscape
aliens seemed to have sculpted
strange tall structures there on the beach
descriptive words here prompted
The sun shone bright in April warmth
on slow receding tide
as we four wandered on the sand
and those tall structures spied

Fading now

It's fading fast but still remains
a shadow of its former shine
and yet this forlorn memory
is something I still cherish, mine

For though its owners are long gone
and its superstructure fails
there are some precious memories
which passing time quite oft regales

Good Friday Wanders

The sun shone on Good Friday morn
as we went walking for some fun
Two sisters, father and a dog
as this good day has just begun
Started in fair Arundel
then through the castle ground
up through the South Stoke country park
where marvellous things were found

Broadband Blues

We've been without broadband for several days now
it's amazing how much we depend
on a little box there
on the shelf unaware
of the service its brings as a friend

And yes (quite surprisingly) that's how I'd describe
the service we get from that thing
inanimate yes
but take a wild guess
on how much every day it will bring

This magical place

I stood in the wind and bent to its force
and the seagulls gathered there of course
searching for food right here at the source
by this magical place here, the sea

Worthing Pier reached out through the waves
in this inclement weather the fool only braves
but this wonderful vista my soul always craves
by this magical place here, the sea

Paperchase

Paperchase closing so I got new pens
as it seemed the right thing to do
besides there's the fact that your stationary store
is never enough quite for you
And then there's the label that's there on on the box
to remember this lovely store by
so after the pens are spent and no more
I'll still have that to comply

Unconditional (reprise)

Concluding the ‘My very best’ series (12 of 12)

I don’t ask for much in life
I settle for the least
A bed to sleep in, warm at night
And now and then a feast
A little exercise most days
In the garden, out the back
Some water there to quench my thirst
And perhaps. sometimes. a snack

Stepped on a crack

10 of 12 in the ‘My very best’ series

Stepped on a crack in the pavement of life
And heard something chasing me
Turned and saw the bears of the night
Bricked it, suddenly

Ran so hard I thought I would die
But the bears were still hot on my trail
Panicked, I thought of a way to be free
But thought it would probably fail

Et Voila!

Dog walkers walking with plenty of dogs
some running free some on leads
the river meandering down to the sea
with ducks hiding there in the reeds

A grey sky above but the chill is now gone
and there's no wind at all here today
There's even a hint of blue through the cloud
out there in the spread of the bay

Sunshine Smiles

Wrapping arms tightly around
the grey cloud in the sky
the sunshine warmly smiled
saying 'no more need to cry'
'You're done today, your tears have fed
the world down there below
but now it's time to rest
and let my smiles now gently glow'

To adore

Whose nose is this? I thought as I passed
close by to the hole in the gate
it looked lovely and the sounds from within
were those to appreciate
For all the brown heifers were gathered in there
lounging about in the straw
save for the one with her nose poking through
at Middle Farm here to adore

Blue Brighton

Brighton pier was glowing blue
as the waves fell to the shore
as we all six up on the prom
watched it and asked for more
And that we got in spades
as we always do right here
in Brighton on the Sussex coast
beside its famous pier
Even precipitation didn't
much get in the way
as the beauty was so evident
at the evening of this day

Sunset coming

There's a sunset coming though a ways off yet
I can see the glow to the West
as the evening time approaches now
a bid at my behest

It's yellow, pink and pastel
and full of warming glow
foretelling of a different time
that all too soon I'll know

Morning?

It's been said that the darkness
with the moon in the sky
speaks of the night time
though morning is nigh
Not that you'd know for
there's no light in sight
not even an inkling
in the blackness of night
Yet what is that glow
in the east very feint?
Yes, that is the the day
though at present it ain't!

40th

In days of heady youth, future just a dream
the wisdom of a caring mother prompted application
to an embryonic beginning

Big Yellow Jumper

I've been watching the talent
and biding my time
but now the big jumper
is finally mine
And it's lovely and yellow
and comfortably massive
so I'll wear it with pride
with positive passive
And the knitter has done
a wonderful thing
for it's jumpers like this
that make the heart sing

The Stranger II

Sun streamed through a window
as a stranger waved a hand
asked if he could take a seat
(anywhere was grand)
Brought a light not seen for long
through winter's shadow days
coupled with a curl of lips
to smiles from this malaise
Welcome it was evident
that it should stay right here
sitting anywhere it liked
to bring us all some cheer