Four flights of steps between

Three rooms, four flights of steps divide
my life these days its seems
and one might question why and what
that self-containment means

But I am not perturbed by it
and not imprisoned I
No captive here, no punishment
I happily get by

Music days III

I sat and listened to music as the day bled away
a can of beer at my side
and closing my eyes
it was no surprise
I felt joy with those songs as I cried

For my music will do that and make no mistake
it’s something that I often do
Drift away for a while
with contentment and smile
a pastime I’ll often pursue

For je ne sais quoi moments

I stood still in the meadow with winter around me
a hand raised there to the sun
My shadow still long
tho’ now bright my song
with a feeling that Spring had begun

This field we walk

This field we walk
our saving grace
and for result
we love this place
Changing as
the year goes by
and different things
each time we spy
The joy of seeing
running paws
and flapping ears
to much applauds

For the bringing of joy

A song which brings a tingle
Grayson Perry on TV
two little things in life
which bring joie de vivre to me

Something coloured yellow
Yaki Udon, ginger spice
A really lovely beer
Marmite crisps (they’re very nice)

Simple Things

It’s been said before
It’ll be said again
but there’s no harm repeating
the oft sung refrain
that moments of bliss
when contentment’s complete
can be captured and held
to make life this sweet

Serendipity

I found myself writing
About somewhere I’d been
And all of the wonderful
Things there I’d seen
The joy and the richness
Of life beyond measure
Captured and held just
Like having treasure

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

Lazy eye snuggle

A black nose nestled
in the crook of my arm
contented and dozing as we
sat late into an evening there
my soulmate Sally and me

Kew

Beneath the vivid leafy green
this time of year at Kew
Beside the Thames just sitting
early morning with a view

I have a little time to spare
so I’ll sit for here for a while
and write about this lovely place
Sufficient to beguile

The echo of life III

If a moment pauses
and time stands still
If an eye sees
and memories are captured
Then I am the echo of life
Reflecting beauty
I bring contentment

The echo of life II

If a story speaks
and brings a tear
spilled out without reserve
from an eye that knows pleasure
If a landscape catches
and a breath is held long
whilst a moment is safisfied
Then I am the echo of life
Relecting beauty
I bring contentment

The echo of life I

If a brook gurgles
and a low tide laps
If a breeze whispers
and a sunset smiles
Then I am the echo of life
Reflecting beauty
I bring contentment

The Long House

5 of 8 in the Jemverse series ‘Circular Sussex’

In the garden out back of the Long House
sitting out here in the sun
The fragrance of jasmine strong in the air
now the early evening has come

It’s peaceful here and idyllic
and I’m so pleased we could return
Here in the East Meon valley
contentment swift to discern

Keeping me whole

Listening to sounds
when it’s raining outside
I can often get carried away
Spine tingles freely
My element comes
and contentment comes for the day

Readiness

The solitude of morning
as another week awaits
Contentment in this quiet time
completely satiates
And with poetry completed
I am ready for the day
My soul shine out there to the fore
to greet what comes my way

With words

At the bottom of the garden
in the sunshine with a beer
I have my little poems book
So why not? Whilst I’m here

My Favourite Place

Silver on a glistening sea
Sings its sweet refrain to me
as I relax here blissfully
in my favourite place

Seagulls flitting on the shore
as silent waves come back for more
Applauding for a long encore
in my favourite place

Embers

Around the fireside, family
A summer evening spent
sharing food and drinking beer
and general merriment

The embers glow with flicker bright
A focal point to share
This was contentment, rarified
for everybody there

Half past three

When work is over for the day
and sun’s still shining bright
A part of me looks forward to
the beach, soon in my sight
The breeze that blows in from the sea
though warm will cool me down
Contentment overwhelms me
and joy replaces frown

Contentment

Tide comes, tide goes
Winds dies, wind blows
Water glistens, water rise
Hours pass, time flies

Down here, on the beach
all of this within my reach

Contentment

Changing Colour

And today I sat and changed colour
the May sun hot in the sky
Relaxing long hours in the garden
with a long and contented deep sigh

Fever dreams colour

When sleep falters
in fever drams
I think of colour

Daydreams

Every so often
life with a glance
throws a left-field
by happen or stance
which fortune might leave
to whimsey or chance
but with arms open wide
twirls round in a dance

Hibernation

Most times on these cold winter days
you’ll find me snug inside
as chilliness and cold are things
I really can’t abide

Give me a pen and paper and
some music and you’ll see
that I’m content to stay indoors
and let the winter be

Heart

Part 4 of 6 in the Jemverse ‘At Home’ series

At home is where I’ll always
feel contentment with some pride
For this is where the heart is
as the saying goes, implied

HAIKU: I HEAR THE TICKING

By Charles Robert Lindholm

I hear the ticking

HAIKU: TRUE HAPPINESS

By Charles Robert Lindholm

MY HAIKU FOR YOU

LIFE’S TOO SHORT FOR ANYTHING