May 9, 2023

Worthing High

by Jem Croucher
And from high above Worthing
Victorian houses reaching down to the sea
with the tower of the Dome just catching the sun
crying out for a picture from me

But the image itself needed more to explain
the 'je ne sais quoi' of that time
looking down on the vista so often seen
and from up here looking so fine

So I added some words that seemed about right
to capture the essence right there
of a view I don't think I've seen before once
so obliged in these lines to now share

Continue reading

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May 9, 2023

A FAIRY TALE FANTASY

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

 

He took my wife
like a  villian
in a fairy tale
fantasy

like a black knight
on a stallion
he stole my love
from me Continue reading

May 8, 2023

Rodmell loop

by Jem Croucher
From Rodmell via Southease, a loop of three miles
as the warmth returned once again
Us four with our boots
'neath the blue of a sky
walking to keep ourselves sane

There were sheep in the rape munching blithely away
and cows lowing there in the field
as the Ouse on the ebb
flowed out to the sea
in the heart of the Sussex Weald

Continue reading

May 8, 2023

THE DREAM I DREAMED OF

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

So many times I’ve struggled

so many people knew

I’d do the best I could

and somehow muddle through Continue reading

May 7, 2023

Ancient yet familiar

by Jem Croucher

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

Continue reading

May 7, 2023

AM I HIDING IN YOUR ARMS?

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm
 

Am I hiding in Your arms

or am I just being protected

while I’m “recharged”

with Your love Continue reading

May 6, 2023

Back to the lotty

by Jem Croucher
Went back to the lotty, it's looking so good
but from the work Sal has done I knew that it would
It's the first time I've been here so far this year
but as always this place oozes fun times and cheer

So I set out with a plan I had made in advance
with gaffer tape ready prepared for a chance
and fixed the loose panes in the greenhouse with ease
cable ties for the job with which I am pleased

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May 6, 2023

HUMMING SOFTLY

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

 

Softly Sundown comes

to put the day to bed

dusting off the dirt

kissing the hurts Continue reading

May 5, 2023

Friday tanka

by Jem Croucher
I'm pleased it's Friday
for with a half-day today
I have time to play
in the sunshine for a while
and seize essence of moment

Continue reading

May 5, 2023

JUMBLED UP DREAMS

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm  

 

I wake up suddenly

in the middle of the night

or is it morning

before the dawn’s early light

 

Dragged from deep, deep sleep Continue reading

May 4, 2023

May the fourth be with you III

by Jem Croucher
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

Continue reading

May 4, 2023

SCAR STORIES – THE MARKS OF LIFE

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

 

I SAW YOUR SCARS

BECAUSE I SEE YOU

BECAUSE I CANNOT

LOOK AWAY FROM YOU

 

YOUR HEART

AND YOUR SOUL

THEY THRILL ME

AS DOES EVERY

INCH OF YOUR SKIN Continue reading

May 3, 2023

THE RULER’S RING

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

 

Little Boys, oh

You don’t stand a chance

You think “You’ll be the Man”

But You ask Her to dance

 

You think that You’re

The Big Man

but before too long

you’ll see

it isn’t Her who’s asking

or down upon one knee Continue reading

May 3, 2023

Where the heart is

by Jem Croucher
I travelled long the length of England
stayed away for several days
and then for several hours found
a path back to Southern ways

As home is where the heart is
so it's good to get back there
even though these travels are
something to love and share

Continue reading

May 2, 2023

Newcastle III

by Jem Croucher
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

Continue reading

May 1, 2023

I FUMBLED WITH MY SMILE

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

You’re supposed to be brave
You’re not supposed to cry

but I fumbled with my smile each time
I was forced to mumble, Hi! 
Continue reading

May 1, 2023

Start 9 (aka Calan Mai)

by Jem Croucher

9 of 12 in the ’12 months IV series’

Mayday and to jingling bells
around tall poles and dancers tells
and cries of joy and yodelling yells
first day of summer comes

Midway twixt the equinox
and summer solstice twirl the frocks
with brightly coloured stripy socks
first day of summer comes

So dance we will as dance we must
with 'Calan Mai's' tradition thrust
as to these open arms in trust
first day of summer comes

Continue reading

April 30, 2023

Last Day #4

by Jem Croucher

4 of 12 in the ‘Last day 23’ series

It's the last day of April
and May is now looming
the sun has returned
and Spring flowers are blooming
So at last from the doldrums
of winter we come
and welcome the start
of days in the sun

Continue reading

April 29, 2023

Thanksgiving For a Wonderful Day

by Frank Hubeny

It’s a perfectly marvelous, glorious day.
The springtime is bright in a light-hearted way.
Softly and kindly God’s speaking to me
and I answer with praise for the wonders I see.

April 29, 2023

HAIKU: FRIENDS STAY TOGETHER

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm 

I’ll sit in darkness Continue reading

April 29, 2023

Climping Beach

by Jem Croucher
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

Continue reading

April 28, 2023

Excogitating

by Jem Croucher

No.11 in the ‘Colloquy’ series

I'm excogitating out a simple plan
of something complex making it
from mere thought into fruition
something big to something whit

It's been there long, a growing seed
but now at last the plan lies true
and five months hence from 1st of May
the thinking will become a do

Continue reading

April 28, 2023

YOU SEE ME IN THE SHADOWS

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm
 

You see me in the shadows

but never run away

You look toward me

searching for my eyes

but it’s me who looks away
  Continue reading

April 27, 2023

Fading now

by Jem Croucher
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

Continue reading

April 27, 2023

PLEASE LET ME STAY WITH YOU

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

 I will stay with you
As long as you Let Me
I will be with you
As long as you want me Continue reading

April 26, 2023

(revisiting) Exuberance II

by Jem Croucher

Concluding the ‘Malleable 23’ series (10 of 10)

Glistening the water bathed in light served
as erudite reminder of Spring
emerging from the vice of winter
iron clad accedes to warmth
and with breath deep drawn
lungs were filled with fragrance new
a shining example of Spring's exuberance

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April 26, 2023

MORE THAN I DARE SAY

by thereluctantpoet

By Charles Robert Lindholm

I miss you so much

When you are gone away

Out of the reach of my arms

Out of touch with my soul Continue reading

April 25, 2023

(revisiting) Spirea Arguta

by Jem Croucher

9 of 10 in the ‘Malleable 23’ series

As if I couldn’t tell, the Spring
was evident today
As with flowers white and delicate
Spirea had a say

Arguta genus, Meadowsweets
It’s always first to flower
for shade within my garden
from its small yet fragrant bower

Continue reading