Youth and music

Part of the ‘past to present’ series from Jemverse

Saturdays in the seventies
and me in middle teens
caught the bus oft into Brighton
forty-nine from Southwick Green
then went up to the Clock Tower
through the door and up the stairs
to listen to the music long
on cushions sprawled up there
Virgin Records, ah those halcyon days
for some a misspent youth
but the music that I heard has brought
a lifetime hence of truth

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The last West Pier II

Part of the ‘Past to Present’ series from Jemverse

I found it on the high tide line
after a night of fire
the Grand Old Lady of the sea
destroyed by spite and ire
Yet carried on an ebbing tide
along the coast to me
a memory of those boards I trod
now rescued from the sea
So though her grandeur is no more
complete her fall from grace
Brighton's West Pier always will
in history have her place

There was lightning

Out to sea off Brighton
a flash lit up the night
there, just outside the Shelter Hall
fleetingly in sight
But pausing for a moment there
and waiting patiently
whilst rain fell there in splatters
I got a shot for me
We never heard the thunder
but there was lightning there for sure
coupled with the heavy rain
which fell as down it poured

Gigsters Divine

Though many bands we've seen
it's been six years since last we all
were collectively 'the gigsters'
at least, as I recall
But last night for Divine Comedy
the 'Gigsters' were united
once again all six together
as each had been invited
'Divine' was most appropriate
as superlative this evening
the 'Gigsters' doing what we do
for friendship's steadfast meaning

The February cast

Brighton Pavilion lit up at night
in the glow this February cast
provides for an image to capture and hold
for a memory I know will last
And though long we've lived here
and many times have before
seen this view by day and by night
it's always a pleasure never to fade
to again see this wonderful sight

Days Gone

In Regency Square
where once stood the Pier
Victorian splendour
still evident here
but time has moved on
and the 360 high
is now the feature
high up in the sky

Yet standing here now
the future I hold
is recalling the heyday
('cos yes, I'm that old)
when the West Pier still stood
as a visual feast
besting the new one
a mile to the east

Veteran

So this morning, leaving Brighton
after breakfast in the sun
we saw two old cars passing
on the annual 'old crocks' run

Both brought a smile, they always do
these cars of yesteryear
with drivers dressed up to the nines
quite cold but full of cheer

And not alone our spirits raised
as people stopped to wave
the veterans as they chugged past
a memory to save

Public Service Broadcasting

Brighton's Dome, a place I've missed
whilst Covid's kept us in
for live music's long hiatus
which has bordered on a sin

But though the virus is still with us
freedom has now found a way
to open up the doors again
'Thank Goodness' hear me say!

As last week with good friends I'd not seen
for two long years returned
to Brighton's Dome for a live gig
a treat we all have earned

Mangolicious

Had a Mangolicious Laines
a lovely IPA
fruity and refreshing
at the end of a long day
Eating at the Open House
all my girls and me
and a lovely Wolfgang
for a delicious tea

Last Brunch

Last brunch today so IPA
featured as it should
along with a veggie breakfast
from the menu which looked good
Shared with jocund company
conversation for a smile
here at our Al Campo
where we come once in a while

Monday lunchtimes

Monday lunchtimes at Al Campo
watching life go past
the windows open to the world
with summer here at last

The sunshine's really hot out there
but no one is complaining
as the start of summers' overdue
from all the Maytime raining

Eye to the sky

Soaring up to deepest blue
the i-360 there
as dwarfed beneath its structure
I turn my head and stare

The 'doughnut' glistens in the sun
high up there in the sky
as tourists take their pictures
as they're taken way up high

Though truth be told I always would
prefer the old West Pier
this is still a fitting tribute to
the Brighton that's still here

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

The last West Pier

You'd never think from how it looks
that many years ago
the boards of this forgotten pier
I walked down oft and slow
Derelict for forty years
and then destroyed by fire
the skeletal remains now stand
as its last funeral pyre
Brighton's West Pier still it's called
but you'll need imagination
to picture once how grand it was
from this last iteration

Freedom II

Seagull giving it ‘some of that’

on ‘Fatto Mano’s’ there

whilst we walked slow through Brighton

the afternoon to share

Rock buns in Pavilion Gardens

charity shops galore

cheap CDs in the pound shop

and we’re back here once more

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

Old and new (haiku)

Through the grandiose
a glimpse of today’s Brighton
History merges

Brighton pastel (haiku)

Reflecting Brighton
bathed in pastel colour here
December sunset

A 60th tale

A day out in Lewes
with the girls in the sun
Browsing antique shops
and all having fun
Here for Sal’s sixtieth
Celebrations start here
Two months for us all
in this special year

i-360

Went for a flight
in Brighton today
British Airways
but not in a plane
Five hundred feet plus
straight up in the sky
on the i-360
ever so high

Fire and Glass

Sat a while in Junkyard Dog
to hear the music play
Guitars, fiddle, vocals too
September Saturday

Good conversation flowing
here for private view
Fire drawings by my daughter
Sal’s glass for something new

Got a new pen

What once was Brighton’s bead shop
now sells stationary
Upmarket and pretentious
but good enough for me
For on a shelf, bright colours
a row of writing pens
So I just had to have one
as I do that now and then

Jem’s new hat

Wandered round in Brighton
brought a brand new hat
Blue to match my sunglasses
Sylish (that’s a fact)
Felt much like a rock star
walking round the place
with lovely Brighton people
and a smile upon my face

Oasis

Sat in St Nicholas’ churchyard
high up on the hill
overlooking Brighton
with all around me still

Sipped a bold, strong coffee
the sunshine breaking through
with history around me
which from my past I knew

Viaduct

The viaduct on London Raod
Brighton, late at night
lit up blue with vibrancy
is a lovely sight

High above the city streets
with Victorian pride
to carry trains up there on which
so many people ride

Spectral

Spectral and outworldly
the lights up in the sky
Here on Brighton seafront
as at night I wander by
The i-360 tower
a carbuncle to some
remains a star attraction
and brings a lot of fun

Bob Marley Seagull (reprise)

1 of 6 in the Jemverse ‘Seagulls’ series

It was raining in Brighton
and, strolling back to the car
parked there in Ann Street
from the centre, not far
We paused to admire
on the wall, ‘cross the way
some graffiti scrawled quickly
but with something to say

Pixelated Smile

On Rose Hill Close in Brighton
on the corner by the wall
A pixelated smiley face
colourful but small
we spied as we were waiting
for the traffic lights to change
Not something you see every day
it really was quite strange