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

Kites

The sea is full of surfers
they’re dancing in the air
catapulting off the waves
that pound the beach down there

A rainbow full of colours
skimming ‘cross the sea
kite-surfers in their element
applauded here by me

Here

The green, the breeze
the sky, the sea
here on the beach
and then there’s me
Grinning wide and
laughing loud
as living here
it does me proud

Back to the beach hut

Got back to the beach hut
it’s been quite a while
so it’s good to be back
at the place with a smile
The wind was quite blowy
but the sunshine was out
and because of the wind
there was no-one about

Big II

The driftwood on the beach tonight
was big and long and tall
and though I would’ve if I could’ve
I can only take stuff small
But I still took several pictures
at marvelled at the fact
that it was wedged there in the rocks
placed by the sea intact

Best Ever

I found a hagstone on the beach
it was the best I’ve found
amongst the other pebbles there
just waiting on the ground

It’s flat and Barbara Hepworth-like
a tactile thing to touch
and it will now take pride of place
amongst those I love so much

Patterns in the sand

Patterns in the sand
left there by the sea
sculpted by the longshore drift
so perfect and free

Sometimes with a pebble
or the flow of water there
but always with charming
of which I’m aware

This canvas is fleeting
but I will oft confide
whilst its there for a viewing
at the turn of the tide

Longshadow three

Three shadows cast
by a streetlight behind
long to the seashore
waiting to find
what there lay in store
with mystery held
longshadow casting
completely compelled
But soon there revealed
with the lap of the sea
as twilight it faded
on longshadow three

Supermoon rising

On the beach just last evening
with Obi and Sal
we walked on the shingle and saw
with a glow in the east
a visual feast
as a supermoon rose for encore

The constant sea

These wanders here each evening
when the night’s about to fall
are I think the moments
which we will most recall
When this madness is all over
and we find ourselves again
with whatever becomes normal
and whatever still remains

Where I can be free

My feet in the water
in Wellington boots
down on the sea shore
from whence come my roots
The soft wavelets lapping
as the light fades away
and we come here walking
at the end of the day

Pink Moon

The moonlight on the water
caught me by surprise
made me simply stop and stare
and open wide my eyes

For here there was a marvel
unparalleled and fine
and on the beach down here this evening
it was entirely mine

Elegant Green II

The elegant green
I have written before
of the wonderful sea
down here on the shore
It’s elegant posture
fluid and free
speaks to me always
so eloquently
And I treasure those words
from the elegant green
as they are the best
I have heard and have seen

Beach and happy

The beach, yes I know
I have written before
and will again, I am certain of that
For when I am here
my heart’s full of cheer
and sees happiness here as a fact

The language of the sea

The short lapping waves come in then recede
incessant and gentle and free
They speak to me softly in whispering tone
what it is to be part of the sea

And I understand fully as this language I speak
having learnt it when just a lad
Its rhythm speaks wisdom of treasure to keep
which over the years I have had

A walk by the water

There’s a lot to be said
at the end of the day
for getting out for a while to the beach
A short walk by water
is just what we oughta
do as it’s there in our reach

Fortitude

Each evening on the journey home
we drive beside the sea
‘neath a big sky that sweeping view
How fortunate are we?
The shingle beach right there beside
the road just yards away
a pleasure bringing fortitude
on each and every day

The sea and me II

I watched the sea
it did me proud
I smiled with it
then laughed out loud

It’s everything
and all of me
as I am whole
beside the sea

All them waves

Constant coming
all them waves
turning on a whim
Sometimes I will
shed a tear
and sometimes
I will grin

Constant coming
all them waves
many friends are here
Sometimes I will
simply watch
and sometimes
I will cheer

Easy Reach

I found a stone and threw it
far out into the sea
watched it splash and disappear
here quite contentedly
For this haven is my solace
and fortunate am I
to have a beach to come to
not far from home, close by

December beaches

On the beach a lone kite-surfer came
to brave December chill
as a wintry and forgotten sun
sat in a low sky still

Bright it was in yellow sky
and despite the brittle air
The beauty of that moment
was really special there

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