Camber Sands

For a birthday treat our children
took us to Camber Sands
a weekend at Badger Cottage
neath the sand dunes tall and grand
They'd all kept it a secret
but it's known and open now
as the six of us are here
with our dog cos he's allowed

Tea with the Queen

We're suited and booted and dressed to the nines
with whistles and dresses for these special times
as with honour bestowed to the palace we go
for tea with the Queen in her garden you know
A privilege shared with the hundreds invited
we're both feeling nervous but very excited
for we know when we get there all will be fine
as it's not every day with the Queen that you dine

Ancient woodlands’ bequest

The bluebells are blooming, it's that time of year
in the garden there under the tree
that gives shade from the sun
when their time has begun
for this lovely bright vision we see

May the fourth be with you II

Seven years of Star Wars days
we've had this little chap
the dog of many, many names
so let's give him a clap
Obi Wan Kinobi is 
his proper name of course
hence 'May the fourth be with you'
as he is strong with 'the force'
But he has many others
to numerous to repeat
as he is a very special friend
who makes our lives complete

Gigsters Divine

Though many bands we've seen
it's been six years since last we all
were collectively 'the gigsters'
at least, as I recall
But last night for Divine Comedy
the 'Gigsters' were united
once again all six together
as each had been invited
'Divine' was most appropriate
as superlative this evening
the 'Gigsters' doing what we do
for friendship's steadfast meaning

Greenship

There's a green ship in the harbour
up the river quite a bit
much further on than usual
so I took a pic of it
Rarely dredged of course these days
the building silt means most
will rarely venture up this far
at Shoreham on the coast
A far cry from my yesterdays
when every berth was full
so good to see the odd one still
with time's incessant pull

What life’s for

The Open House, a fine March day
with sunshine bright and warm
joined by all the Crouchers 
and some others per the norm
For we'll not stand on ceremony
and with open arms spread wide
welcome others to it
as we say this name with pride
Friends and family are important
as you'll often hear us shout
as these extra-special moments
are what real life's all about

Circles and drifting

A fine dapper gentleman regal and proud
posed for a picture and stared
Ears at the ready, heightened sense alert
whiskers quivered as his nostrils flared
For this was his field, his fiefdom, his rule
for circles and drifting and more
with his humans in tow he embodied the joy
for the running which all dogs adore

Sunset glow

High on Ditchling Beacon
the warmth of sunshine glow
hid the fact of bitter cold
with Sussex Weald below
But sheltered in the lea this bank
gave us some respite there
as we took in the setting sun
this special time to share
And as the evening gathered
and the gold slipped slow away
the glow outside so too within
confirmed this lovely day

Sunset

Through the trees of an evening
the delight of the gold
as the sunset descends once again
and this moment divine
which is wholly mine
is comforting like an old friend

Easter’s Grace II

Once some several years ago
In hallowed ground near here
I bowed and offered humber prayer
the beach and sea quite near
A little chapel on the shore
at Easter time at home
with crown of thorns up on the wall
for people to atone
And now as then on Saturday
the sun becomes the son
as at Easter his forgiveness
is complete for everyone

A re-discovery

In the loft I found boxes of music forgotten
CDs boxed ages ago
Downloaded to iPods listened to then
when I was much younger you know
So the discovery now of these treasures is such
that I'm smitten all over again
the i-Pods replaced with the streaming of now
these are so much like an old friend
And though there's surely suspect content in there
as my taste has changed over time
the joy of the challenge to listen again
is something that is wholly mine

Small yellow II

Small yellow in my garden
at the bottom in the sun
caught my eye this morning
now the winter time is done
I don't what its name is
but it grows here every year
yellow in Spring sunshine
so for me has purpose clear
It's there to play a rhythm
to accompany the song
that rises with crescendo
to play all summer long

First Daisy II

First daisy down there
in the grass
waiting for me
as I passed
Radient with sunshine flare
I took a pic
to onward share
and with the green
a painting framed
as gilt-edged it
the Springtime named

Mother’s Day 2020

On Mother's Day no flowers to give
for mine has passed away
no chocolates or special treats
to spoil her on this day
But though with tinge of sadness
I recall the life she had
the happiness and laughter
there means I am mostly glad

Cue the music

The ambience grew as house lights dimmed
and the crowd with breath abated
whooped and cheered as music played
which they had long awaited
Tickets purchased two years past
with promise to fruition
as the Paris troupe performed and sang
with flamboyant intuition
For each they knew, the cast and crowd
this happening, this evening
was like a breath not breathed before
with wonderment and meaning

Best Thursday Haiku

And here for Thursday
three lines to herald a day
and wish it the best

Of sheep, walking and winter

The sheep were in the upper field
I could see them on the hill
meandering whilst grazing
whilst winter grips us still
and though there is a part of me
with wanderlust that yearns
to tread those hills and join them
another part adjourns

When it’s found

For me it's usually in the sun
when summer's kissed the sky
and I'm down upon the beach
where slow seas quietly lie
But it can be most anywhere
just need wide open eyes
so you will spot it when it's found
and not be that surprised

Field of fun

I'm back here in my favourite field
drifting circles in the wind
my little ears all streamlined
as my jowls assume a grin
for this is my enjoyment
my happy time and more
running free for ages
cool earth beneath my paws
My humans shiver in the chill
but I just run and run
as I'm here in my element
in this my field of fun

Supermarket daffodils

A splash of vibrant yellow
on the table brought a grin
reminded us of summer 
from this winter place we're in
Supermarket daffodils
several weeks ahead of Spring
have no sense of timing
yet encourage us to sing

London in lights

I don't know of its purpose
but the Southwark hoarding new
down by the river Thames this morning
provided quite a view
as visible behind it
London's skyline proved the most
of its attraction to the many
this new hoarding playing host

Burning sky

East London early morning
and I turned and caught the sun
with burning sky across the Thames
just as the day begun
Gold shone from the high buildings
in the city 'cross the way
but, heeding Shepherd's warning
knew that rain would come today

Tri-haiku XXXVII (Essence)

Yesterday it rained
quite persistently throughout
so inside we stayed

Today though it's dry
and the birds are singing sweet
songs about the day

So outside we'll go
to breathe in the world around
and feel its essence

Twosday

It's 'twos day' here a play on words
but rightful when you think
of all the 'twos' that on this day
pass by in just a blink
Twenty-second of the second
month in twenty-two
and falling on a Tuesday
so it seemed the thing to do

Westminster Gold

Westminster sunset
the gold in the sky
makes for a wonder
as I hurry by
But just enough time
to capture the scene
on my iPhone a snapshot
my thumb on the screen
for something to look at
a memory to keep
as I head on homeward
at the end of the week

No clink in Clink Street

There's no clink in Clink Street at this time of day
Just the footfall of seldom trod feet
Occasional scuff on the cobbles down there
as we pass under night time's retreat
It's a moment of pleasure to seize and to hold
before all the tourists descend
to these streets of old Southwark which at this time of day
are simply a means to an end

Underneath Blackfriars Bridge

Perched on railings on Southbank
herring gulls they gather
with an interloper in between
absorbing all the blather
He really doesn't mind of course
although the language of the others
is hard sometimes to understand
he regards them as his brothers
Underneath Blackfriars Bridge
they wait beside the Thames
resting from a day of flight
these feathered seagull friends