Braced people face the sea

The beach with a wind
and the taste of salt
As hair whips from face
and braced people face the sea
looking into spray

The beach with a wind
and the cry of a moan
As breath is caught and taken
and braced people face the sea
chased by falling waves

Blessed II revisited

12 of 12 in the Jemverse ‘October’ series

It’s a quarter to six
and the sun’s sinking low
But it’s so lovely here
that I don’t want to go
So I’ll sit here a while
as the shadows grow long
to watch the sun set
to the ebbing tide’s song

Atmospheric 3

3 of 3 in a Jemverse mini-series

Looking eastwards cross the raging sea
grey clouds above the green
The beach at Lancing here today
amongst the best I’ve seen
That is, I’d say, for quite a while
so fortunate am I
as I can come and witness when
wind blows and waves are high
This beach, this shore in Sussex
wonderful throughout the year
Its glory never lost on me
when I am standing here

Atmospheric 2

2 of 3 in a Jemverse mini-series

The seventh wave was building
I watched it gather height
Like a monster lurking out there
with teeth and awesome might

The breakers just before it
when they broke upon the shore
slipped quickly back into the mire
before coming back once more

Atmospheric 1

1 of 3 in a Jemverse mini-series

Atmospheric was the sea today
with grey above the green
The waves in wind tumultuous
amongst the biggest seen
The sun shone like a diamond
painting silver ‘neath the grey
as on the beach we wandered
on this very windy day

The call of the sea

A beach is a beach
be that where it may
and the sea is always a friend
So I’ll find one
whenever I’m close to a coast
On that you can always depend

Mid-September beach days

Mid-September with sun
took me back to the beach
to sit beside the blue sea
It’s lovely down here
sitting still with a beer
There’s no place I’d rather be

Sea Dancing

To the beach after work
the wind was quite high
and colourful sails
filled up the sky
Kite surfers out there
danced on the sea
skimming the waves
spontaneously
So I sat in the sunshine
and sipped a cool beer
so thankful that I
can simply be here

First I

1 of 12 in the Jemverse “12 months III” series

It’s the first of September
and I’m back at the beach
It seemed like the right thing to do
I mean if you like me lived
with this close at hand
you’d join me right here, wouldn’t you?

Constant rhythm shared

Prevailing sou’ westerly blows
across this grey-green sea
but the sunshine warm, encourages
so I’m content to be
Staying here throughout the day
to watch the sea out there
as white-capped waves comes into shore
with constant rhythm shared

Inner soul singing

Many years have I sat here
alone in the sun
from early in morning
until day is done
I have sea and the seagulls
kite surfers and more
the sun and the view
which I love and adore

From diamond seas

To the east the seven sisters
to the west the Isle of Wight
around this sweeping Sussex bay
I have within my sight
And in front of me out to the south
the diamond glinting sea
reflecting southern sunshine
is with me here and free

Many days spent

Many days have I spent
near the diamond-cast sea
as it shines and it glints in the sun
Tranquility here
with a book and a beer
and a pen to capture the fun

The Wizard of Hagstone

I’m a hagstone wizard
‘cos I’ve got lots of those
collected and found on the beach
As not a visit is spared
before one is paired
to the others I have in my reach

I have hagstones on chains
which I’ve hung from the trees
in my garden out there in the sun
and others on show
where they bring a warm glow
as I cherish them every one

Long Mile Walking

Long Mile walking
Darkening sky
Sun a warm glow in the west
Toe in the water
Cool lapping sea
Smiling at nature’s behest

Past & Present

Small boy on the beach
throws pebbles in the air
Can you see the circles spreading
Have they caught you unaware?

Small boy on the beach
chases waves that turn and fall
Can you hear the distant murmer
of that far off echoed call?

Small boy on the beach
walks tightrope on the groyne
Here is my mind’s eye picture
as past with present joins

A walk at turning tide

Smooth the sand
‘neath rain streaked sky
Seagulls on the wing
Soft whispered
from the distant sea
the wind begins to sing

To end a perfect day

To end a perfect day
we walked along the beach
our small dog running free and proud
the sea in easy reach
The shadow of the sun
spread gold across the sky
A fitting end to perfect day
as together we strolled by

Seventh waves

The breeze was a stiff one
but the sunshine was warm
down on the beach yesterday
And the sea was like turquoise
reflecting the sky
Quite lovely in every way

Tri-Tanka IV (Lancing Beach)

Once again relaxed
Lancing Beach does that for me
Every single time
The sound of the moving sea
The sight of the ocean waves
And I’m in my element

Sussex shores revisited

9 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Muddy brown midst churning waves
I hear the ocean sing
with yellow skies beneath the grey
and seagulls on the wing
Tumultuous the breakers there
foaming on the beach
the anger of the waters’ voice
staying out of reach
Yet despite that thinly veiled threat
there is beauty here today
the power of these Sussex shores
which take my breath away

A Sussex view (revisited)

6 of 10 in the Jemverse “Sussex” series

Sun sets on a winter sea
Golden ‘cross wet sand
as we go walking at low tide
as lovers, hand in hand

Obi’s here of course with us
trotting at our feet
His paws wet in the water
and enjoying this fine treat

Breakfast on the beach

Down at the beach hut
for bacon and eggs
Early Saturday morn
No-one else here
just us and the sea
on the beach not long after dawn

Constant Singing

Came back to the beach
but I didn’t stay long
for instead of the sun yesterday
Out to the East it looked a bit grim
and the clouds to the West were all grey

Having said that this place
be it raining or shine
has a magic that constantly sings
So I’ll always return and sit here a while
whatever the weather it brings

60/40 III (the day after)

To the beach hut for breakfast
after music and laughter
watching the sea with some toast
Here with good friends
in the place that we love
down on the fine Sussex coast

We’ve done 60/40
(well, the birthdays at least)
The anniversary is still to come
It’s been a real blast
and long may it last
as we carry on having fun

The beach is a birthday

At the beach hut on my birthday
(I was sixty yesterday)
And whilst not exactly sunny
It was perfect anyway
The sea was like a diamond
Flat calm, a lovely sight
Mirror-like, reflecting
the sky above so bright

Watersoft

This water soft
beneath my feet
lapping gently
feeling sweet
It is a comfort
solace, more
down at the edge
of this seashore

Every Breaking Wave revisited

No 11 of 12 in the Jemverse series ‘Back to the sea’

With every breaking wave
I see a part of me
My life down here in Sussex
In Shoreham by the sea
So taciturn, its nuances
Reflect the changing years
An echo to my lost and loved
My joy, my smiles, my tears