Down to the beach

I came down to the beach
after a long and arduous day
the sunshine still quite high
and quite hot still I would say

I walked the four miles there
with my AirPods in my ears
listening to Underworld
as I have done for years

Sometimes II

Sometimes a biplane
will fly overhead
some of them yellow
and some of them red
Sometimes a seagull
will call on the breeze
as I sit in the sunshine
its warmth on my knees
Sometimes the sea
I will many hours view
for this vista has charm
and always feels new

Not that far

Walking to the beach hut
it's not so very far
but the view along the waterside
is quite spectacular
There's sunshine on the water
and though some clouds are grey
it's very warm and pleasant 
on this lovely summer day

By and by I'll sit me down
on the beach I call a friend
outside my haven beach hut
until the day has reached its end
And then I'll wander home again
back beside the sea
watching as the evening falls 
on this fair soliloquy

Cusp of summer (revisited)

6 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Summer 21’ series

Smooth the sand ‘neath greying skies
The breeze it softly sings
As o’er the sea, the setting sun
A gathering it brings

Caught up in this, the ebbing tide
Back across the beach
And there, the cusp of summer
Just a little out of reach

Gentle waves in movement turn
With salt upon the air
The sunset fades and slips away
To night time waiting there.

Promenading

Walked along the promenade
from Hove to Brighton town
the sunshine warm with summer
come to take away the frown

Very many people there
all walking in the sun
celebrating here in unison
that summer's truly come

The sea reflected blue of sky
the breeze a whisper there
the mood one of exuberance
in which we all could share

And as we ambled there we six
in jocund company
enjoyed our promenading
in Sussex by the sea

Chillin

There's a ship sailing by
and a gull on the wing
and the sun in the sky
gives a reason to sing

And there's really no reason
to move for a while
as we can sit here
with a beer and a smile

And just watch the sea
and soak up the vibe
at this place on the beach
by the blue ocean wide

Goring beach II

With eyes open wide
whilst the world was still snoring
I went for a walk on
the beach here at Goring
and the sky was as big
as ever skies get
with a hint of blue there
for some sunshine still yet
and the breeze was refreshing
and full in my face
as I put best foot forward
in this lovely place

Spectacular III

From Ferry Road and shingle beach
this curving Sussex bay
is quite spectacular to see
from Shoreham I must say
And chagrined to admission I
shamefaced apologise 
as with this upon my doorstep
I should always recognise
that here is unbridled privilege
to simply cast an eye
and take in this glorious vista
when just simply walking by

Ways to use time

We went for an ice cream
and sat on the beach
it was rather windy
but within easy reach
in the relative shelter
of Old Shoreham town
nestled beneath
the crook of the Down

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

Over Brighton Tonight

A sky atmospheric
over Brighton tonight
met us on the beach
reflecting the light

Spectacular was
the view there that we
had to pause for a while
by the night-blackened sea

Revealing Treasure

The longshore drift moves shingle
as the beaches change their shape
revealing all the treasures
that changing times will make
and particularly pleasing
for an inspiration here
is the old Victorian breakwater
to bring me joy and cheer

In Sussex

Rainshadow on November sea
braced against the weather we
into strong sou’ westerly
In Sussex where we live

Swans (haiku)

Swans on Widewater
nestled behind the beach
here on Sussex coast

The mermaid’s necklace

A mermaid left her necklace
on the breakwater today
I spied it at low water
as the waves comes in to play

I’m sure she will have missed it
as it really caught my eye
washed there in the water
as the winter waves came by

So I hope that she will find it
and to the lost lay claim
when come the midnight moonshine
she comes this way again

The Thrum

The surf beat the shingle
loud as a drum
with rising crescendo
for rhythm and thrum
and the wind and the sea
gave their voice to the choir
for a symphony there
to absorb and admire

Atmospheric IV

Atmospheric I think you might say
of the beach at Shoreham this evening
with the white of the surf from the waves on the shore
and the taste of salt they were leaving
The wind caught our breath and took it away
as we leant to sou’westerly facing
and a laugh shouted loud at the thrill of it all
was lost in the ambiance bracing

Little yellow seat II

I’m sitting on the yellow seat
Looking out to sea
It’s perfect in the sunshine
Although a tad windy

We came down here again today
So it seemed the thing to do
On such a lovely day as this
To see this lovely view

Who’s smirking?

So what did he do
on the beach when not working?
the question was asked
with appropriate smirking
Apt one would say
with no conviction of doubt
when all of the story of
the truth it gets out

On the beach II

10 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

The sprawl of Brighton to the east
and Worthing to the west
is why this beach at Lancing
sparks such an interest
As lying equidistant
the eye is drawn to each
affording quite the best of views
when sitting on the beach

Entirely mine

9 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

There isn’t much to beat this
even if I tried
the sound of surf, the rising sun
and no place here to hide
Not that you would want to
for here is everything
to bring you joy and reason
to raise your voice and sing

Back for more

8 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

Not content with just a day
I’m back again for more
a repeat here of the yesterday
close to this fine sea shore
The sunshine just as warming
the sea just as sublime
on this beach at Lancing
which I regard as mine

I am not yet retired

7 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

I am not yet retired
but not that long maybe
as there is much attraction
for just sitting by the sea
Today just for example
three hours I have set here
doing nothing else but look
out to the sea so very near

Little yellow seat

6 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

There’s a little yellow seat
on the shingle near the shore
just above the tideline
so I know just what it’s for

For its position faces eastward
so down there early morn
you’d see the sunrise glory
with the coming of the dawn

Rude not to

5 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

It’s still early but here
on the beach the warm sun
is rising and raring to go
So I’m here in my shorts
“Cos I felt that I ought
get in there and go with the flow

Summer’s sweet encore

4 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

Eight thirty in the morning
the sun warm on my brow
in September shorts with
the summer still somehow
The sunglare on the water
the millpond of the sea
and overhead the cloud free sky
means here’s the place to be

Twenty year view

3 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

For over twenty years
I have sat and watched this view
back since I was forty when
this vista was brand new
Hut one-o-one at Lancing
on the east side of the beach
about three miles from where we live
so still in easy reach

September Sunshine III

2 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

So I’ve not written ’bout the beach
for quite a while it seems
but today is quite appropriate
with all these new sunbeams
For it seemed the summer left us
when August’s evening came
yet now it’s back and shouting
lest we forget its name