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

Reason to sing

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

I took a week off
it was a good choice
as there were good things
in which to rejoice

For starters the sunshine
decided to stay
and reboot the summer
in every way

After the storm

After the storm
on the beach the tideline
has made its mark on the stones
with seaweed lines
drawn free and wild
a calming now atones

For all last night
its temper raged
a tantrum fierce and wild
yet now it smiles
calm and serene
the sea and weather mild

Moody Skies (2 of 3)

Ethereal the moody skies
O’er Shoreham beach this evening
promised rain in buckets
I suspect as we were leaving

Things to do on hot days III

And yes there is the beach hut
turquiose, waiting by the sea
a favourite and always
where we’d really like to be
For here the air is tranquil
and the view it is sublime
full bodied and resplendent
like a really good fine wine

First XII

Concluding the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series [12 of 12]

Inevitably August time
when this month comes around
would see us looking forward
to a holiday we’d found
Somewhere hot and balmy
and usually on a ship
far across the ocean
for our destination trip

The Beach Hut Arms

Came down to the beach hut
on a very windy day
it wasn’t very warm but
I didn’t mind cos, hey…
The reason I was here
with the sea so very near
was to meet at social distance
with a good friend for a beer

Cloud to sea

Ethereal with whimsy
it hung up in the sky
as we arrived at sunset
and really caught our eye
Across the English Channel
the white caps smaller now
as with the calm of evening
the wind had dropped somehow
Almost a mirror image
from sky to blustered sea
it caught imagination
as we wandered there, us three