Bob Marley seagull

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

A test of time

Against the blue the old Town Hall
with yellow ochre walls
Declares aloud his history
from ageing hallowed halls
In Brighton now amidst the new
it stands aloof to change
Whilst all around the architects
make plans to rearrange

In Constable’s footsteps

Went to Brighton to see the original
on short loan from the Tate
It’s quite a lot bigger than the one on my wall
and to see it there was great

A Constable retrospective
representing four years’ toils
When he lived right here in Brighton
with some drawings and some oils

The fly-past

Gulls above the Metropole
a fly-past just for me
Here in Brighton in the sun
next to the deep blue sea

Sultry

Mid May and springtime evenings
with warmth still in the air
left over from the sunshine
that has been shining there

A long walk to the pub

We went on a long walk to Lewes
Along the old Drovers way
Following the ancient Trail of Juggs
on a wonderful sunny day

Brighton for Brunch

To Brighton for brunch on a Sunday
egg muffins and hot cups of tea
Meeting some Crouchers who now live close by
Holly, Grace, Sally and Lee

i-360

I walked this way so many times
the route I made my own
Knew everything about it
from where I worked to home
Yet, walking there this morning
there’ve been changes over time
Not least of which the view I see
on the Brighton city line

Music – sedoka

Life without music
is like a tree without leaves
sadly bereft in winter

and left without warmth
or the promise of summer
to awaken it to joy

Lazy day – tanka

Breakfast in Brighton
November morning sunshine
follows after rain
Both providing sustenance
for lazy Sunday slowness

A fall from grace III

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
Never proved but always known
her final hours presumed
the work of arsonists with flame
the pier now lost, consumed

i in the sky

Towering like a monolith
up into the sky
Brighton’s i-360
is really, really high
Dwarfing the remains
of the ruinous West Pier
it stands alone just waiting
for the summer to appear

The woods and the wind

Up in Stanmer woods
on the ridge of the hill
we are sheltered within
where it’s chilly but still
There’s winter in here
with the mud and the grey
but perfect for walking
on this February day

Brighton

 

Walking through Brighton
on a nice sunny day
we admire the Pavilion
which we pass on the way
The tall and majestic
pagodas up there
just have to be looked at
so we pause for a stare

The zebra and Bizet

 

I think it was Bizet the zebra was playing
in Brighton today in the sun
Nocturne in D Major if I’m not mistaken
Yes, I think that piece was the one

Pride

Brighton saw a rainbow
but there wasn’t any rain
Throngs lined all the city streets
And Pride shone bright again

Wildlife

Heading off to Wildlife
Across the old toll bridge
Right there on our doorstep
Such a special privilege

Tears to the eye

 

As I walked the long mile
By the dawn’s early light
I was privileged to witness
A spectacular sight
So with camera in hand
With a click and a prayer
I captured the moment
That I witnessed right there

Slippy

With three thousand other people
At the Dome’s packed concert hall
We in anticipation waited
For the virtual curtain call

Wonderful

 

Spent an afternoon with James Stewart
Up on the silver screen
Eldest daughter’s Christmas present
For Sal, Lee, the girls and me

Quite chuffed

 

Walking home through Worthing
Having had a Cornish ale
I happen chanced upon a sign
‘The Worthing library sale’