Fish supper on the Cob

No.10 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

A fish supper on the Cob
at Lyme Regis evening time
not so many people now
though the weather is still fine

Watched the fishing boats return
with flocks of seagulls there
watching out for morsels
or wayward fishes spare

Seaton Beach Tree

No 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

By the orange cliffs at Seaton
on the beach is a dead tree
looking like a natural sculpture
beside East Devon's sea

Of course I had to get a closer look
so I walked along the beach
til I was close to where it was
with it in easy reach

It really was quite lovely
sculpted there by nature's hand
A little sad that it was dead
yet still it's proud to stand

Lyme Regis & Snow

No.6 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

It was snowing in Lyme Regis
except it wasn't, it was fake
Warner Brothers filming there
a new movie for to make
Willy Wonka 2 so we believe
and they'd made a winter scene
but although they'd finished filming
we could see where they had been

Exploring

No.4 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

Walked out for some exploring
early morning of the day
found the Five Bells atop the hill
saw sheep and lambs at play
the sun gleamed on the tower
of the church down in the village
as a big tractor passed me close by
avoiding country spillage

Dorset Adventures

Part 1 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

We're all quite excited
and the bags are all packed
with wellington boots
and scarves, coats and hats
the route is selected
and we all know the way
as we're finally going
on our holiday

The pleasure of these days

Well, although the sun was shining
and some warmth was evident
it wasn't packing substance
to support a whole day spent
sitting by a beach hut
just looking at the sea
So I decided not to do that
quite unreservedly

Haiku – cathartic

I write cathartic
Words as liquid pouring here
onto this lake's page

Our haven

This place, this haven
it's all of us
and we all miss it
if because
for some misfortune
or mishap
we have to tell
the little chap
there'll be no running
through the grass
or round the corner
as we pass

It rained

It rained and then
it rained some more
and the more it rained
the more I saw
as water trickled
here and there
and got in
almost everywhere

Pretty Sails

Nestling in the harbour
at the yacht club yesterday
a jolly pretty sailboat
I espied whilst on my way

So I made a little detour
across the Adur Ferry Bridge
so that I could take a photo
as a special privilege

Ivory Towers

We've had to cancel Obi's field
as we cannot now drive there
the car is down to mere fumes
and there's no fuel anywhere
And because of the congestion
caused by massive traffic lines
queueing up at petrol stations
in these trying times
public transport's suffering
so we can't use that either
So we've cancelled Obi's field
and this week will take a breather

Life-words-haiku

Sometimes a haiku
Gives all the words that I need
to make life complete

Mangolicious

Had a Mangolicious Laines
a lovely IPA
fruity and refreshing
at the end of a long day
Eating at the Open House
all my girls and me
and a lovely Wolfgang
for a delicious tea

Summer’s swansong II

On this September morning
sunshine greeted me again
and as this could be the summer's swansong
no one could lay the blame
if today instead of working
to the beach I went instead
to seize the opportunity
and by my heart be led

90 and rising

The temperature crept above ninety
so I thought 'that's enough for today'
and, grabbing a go-bag ready to go
to the beach again, made my own way

The breeze from the sea was most welcome
but it was still in the eighties down there
Though as this wasn't work and I had a cold beer
I wasn't too minded to care

Writing at Night II

I've been up half the night
as sleep wouldn't come
so I took up my pen
til the morning begun

And wrote down the words
that this page now reveals
as when slumber resists
this writing, it heals

Then as the light grows
and the day takes a hold
I read back the lines
and the story I've told

Sunshine through the V

Caught in the early evening sunshine
through the seventh tree
shining down on this fine field
and captured in the vee

Idyllic are these walks we have
each weekend at this time
an perfect be it raining
or, on days like this, just fine

And the winking of the sunshine
as I caught its setting rays
encapsulates the pleasure
we both get upon these days

Seagull show

I had a private airshow
on the beach the other day
with seagulls showing their prowess
in many different ways

They swooped there and they hovered
diving from up high
then climbing up into the blue
of this late summer sky

I whooped and I applauded
for it was a special show
lasting a few minutes
before off they all did go

Forever eighty-seven

Happy Birthday my Mother
you'd have been ninety today
but forever instead
eighty-seven you'll stay

The time of your passing
though sad was still right
but I still shed a tear
on occasion at night

But on fifth of September
remembering clear
I see that you're smiling
so Happy Birthday, my dear

Many times the beach

Yes I know that I've written
many times here before
of this place on the beach
and I suspect there'll be more
but I make no apologies
for that fact here
as this place is a haven
and always brings cheer

A beach full of shingle
beside the blue sea
a most English of channel
and perfect for me
Long days have I spent here
in the summer sun
and many more will I still
until I am done

Living in Shoreham

On the last day of August
I crossed the bridge from the town
as this view of Shoreham
brings a smile not a frown
and whenever I see it
a pinch I must give
to myself to remind me
that here's where I live

Widewater Lagoon

Widewater Lagoon
right next to the sea
on a day like today
is the place to be
There are people just walking
whilst some cycle by
and every so often
a seagull I'll spy
It's such a nice walk
on my way to the beach
so I'm massively grateful
it's in easy reach
as it means to this place
I can come for a wander
on days like today
and not let them squander

Glad for gladioli II

The gladioli on our allotment
are growing very tall
and their variegated colour
looks lovely when we call

They make a pleasant change
from the vegetables we grow
and have varying success with
through the year as well you know

And today with August sunshine
so lovely did they look
which I'm pleased to say I captured
in the photograph I took

In my room II

In my room
I have my stuff
and it is lovely
here because
it's somewhere I
can come and play
at any time
on any day
sometimes a game
or music here
or writing poems
to bring me cheer
and my small dog
young 'Obi' there
will safely snooze
and with me share
this little room
where I can come
and be myself
and have some fun

Thunderpaws

I am a dog of many names
but one that's apt of late
is 'Thunderpaws' that's come about
from changes to my gait

Let me explain, if you've a mo
you see, 'most every week
my humans both provide the chance
for freedom so to speak

For I should add I am a dog
who's not good in the street
but get me to an open field
and life for me is sweet

Married on a birthday

Went to a birthday party
in Surrey, Saturday night
took us a while to get there
but that was quite alright

Loud cheers when we got there
the celebrations had begun
so we hurried there to join them
so we'd not miss out the fun

And we found the cheers had purpose
for the birthday and for now
as my brother had got married
on his birthday with a vow

Skyfeathers

I looked up early evening
to see feathers in the sky
wispy there within the blue
floating slowly by

And it was whimsical right there
cathartic I would say
relaxing and just gazing
at the tail end of a day

So there I stayed eyes upward
as the evening took a hold
and the sunshine started fading
to the sunset with the gold

Of ducks and sunsets

As the sun sank low
down there in the west
its day labours done
and time for a rest
a lone duck swam by
on the lake bathed in gold
silhouetted right there
that circumstance sold

And I breathed deep a sigh
at magnificence here
idyllic and magical
tinged with a tear
that trickled with joy
down a cheek as I stood
and took all this in
and knew it was good