Two bridges

When in flight over Shoreham
a hundred years ago
two bridges you would see
'cross the river down below
The Norfolk and the railway
but no footbridge crossing yet
for the town and all its people
had that pleasure still to get

Tarmount Shepherds

Now where people park their cars
on tarmac for some shopping
once stood an open field where
you'd oft see sheep a-hopping
A shepherd's hut stood to the south
close to its southern border
fenced in with wooden latticework
to keep the sheep in order
On Tarmount Lane in Shoreham town
the shepherd's field you'd see
for many years with grazing
for the sheep that wandered free

Reversing the loop

Six miles and thirteen thousand steps
reversed, the loop's still fine
as this quite pleasant circuit
is something wholly mine
Takes around two hours
with a few stops in between
to savour once again the views
amongst the best I've seen
For this is Sussex and my home
we share a synergy
taking full advantage of
each other's company

Becoming rested

And so it was with week of sun
the holiday was true begun
and this no brainer not to shun
for it afforded hours of fun
whether walking or a run
many miles with evening done
for cooling down and sunset come
and no apology for pun
afforded by the words now spun
the rested and appeased become

Shoreham my home

Through a gap in the bushes
I spied Shoreham town
nestled there under the Downs
twixt me and the sea
safe there in the lea
the bearer of treasure and crowns

Chalky

These chalky trails on Sussex loam
in these green hills above my home
are quite the best so many times
I will return as they are mine
and with a joy I'll shout aloud
this is my Sussex and I'm proud

Sussex my home

From up here with this vista
three sixty turn around
I can see the hills I've walked upon
on this fair Sussex ground
Some are many miles away
feint shadows in the mist
but all of them both near and far
my feet have trod and kissed
For this kingdom is my Sussex
with its flint and chalky sod
all its hills and pastures
touched by the hand of God
So whenever opportunity
gives me the power to roam
I offer up a prayer of thanks
that Sussex is my home

Sorting through the years

Our house in turmoil this weekend
as boxes from the eaves
were sorted through by offspring
for memories that time leaves
Precious things forgotten
rekindled smiles and joy
a purpose served, remembered
by three girls and a boy

Of fortune and privilege

A horse wandered slow on the golden foreshore
as the sun diamonds shone on the sea
and high on the shingle the wolf wagged his tail
with my two daughters and me
Eastward we wandered this vista beside
our fortune and privilege known
a walk on the beach in winter sunshine
here in Sussex this place that is home

Christmas Eve

5 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Christmas Eve Friday is here at long last
let the japes and the cheer now begin
for this family together
as it has now forever
is bursting with laughter and grin

For this is our happiness and nothing less
cathartic and wondrous and free
all six here as one
for plenty of fun
to share with this great family

Obi the Squidge

2 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Obi the Squidge is a dog of small stature
but although his legs may be short
he knows what is what
and the good life he's got
and he's fast enough not to be caught

Obi the Squidge has a brain that is cunning
so when he sees something he's not allowed
he waits til time's right
and then out of sight
makes off with the prize feeling proud

Two-balls Wolfgang

1 of 5 in ‘The week before Christmas’ series from Jemverse

Two-balls Wolfgang's looking forward to Christmas
with the wonderful smells round about
he knows something's afoot
but he needs to stay put
and resist the call of his snout

Lamp stand lovely

Bought a new lampshade
it's small and petite
but on the old lamp stand
it looks nice and sweet
The lamp stand we've had
two score years and some
since we were first wed
and the two became one

Tidy up done

It was long overdue so I gave it a spruce
chucked out all the old magazines
dusted the shelves and tidied things up
got the cobwebs and grime in the seams

Gave it a hoover, well the carpet at least
sorted my pens and the books
got a new cushion for my swivel desk chair
swept out the crannies and nooks

Tri-haiku XXXVI (Warmth of weekends)

The warmth of weekends
cosy from winter blankets
bodes well to the week

So with high spirits
Monday comes with gusto here
cocooned I embrace

And the warm embers
envelope and protect me
as the week proceeds

Stations

With its long reach
this station clad
with many journeys
I have had
Over the years
to different places
some with airs
and some with graces
Quiet, it exudes
a charm
which here has never
done me harm

Tidy up coming

My room could use a tidy up
as it's looking fairly grim
indicative that more or less
tis only room I'm in

As it's here that I'm most comfortable
most days throughout the year
for my music and my writing
and my games which bring me cheer

But now it needs a tidy up
some TLC from me
too get rid of all the rubbish
and yes, some space to free

Measure on measure

The Christmas tree's up
and it's twinkling there
under the window
good spirit to share
It's welcoming glow
is a comforting sight
when I leave in the morning
and return home at night

Home Alone

Today I'm here and home alone
'Cos Harry Potter's not my thing
at least not live performance
with encouragement to sing

'Cos that's where all my family
have gone today save me
swanning off to London
so I have the day quite free

Yes, there will be music
a no brainer there, and games
and perhaps a little snooze
as the forecast is for rain

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

Tri-haiku XXXIV (the familiar)

The familiar
just like a comfort blanket
all uniquely mine

Something I cling to
to remind me that today
everything is peace

And I breathe easy
with familiarity
born of pure content

Last rays

We've a bench out the front which will catch the last rays
of the sun as it sets in the west
and though the view we get there is not very good
the warmth of the sun is the best

So I'll sit there a while when the evenings draw in
and, north-facing, the garden's in shade
so pleased that we've kept our front garden bench
as with foresight best plans are made

Many times the beach

Yes I know that I've written
many times here before
of this place on the beach
and I suspect there'll be more
but I make no apologies
for that fact here
as this place is a haven
and always brings cheer

A beach full of shingle
beside the blue sea
a most English of channel
and perfect for me
Long days have I spent here
in the summer sun
and many more will I still
until I am done

Living in Shoreham

On the last day of August
I crossed the bridge from the town
as this view of Shoreham
brings a smile not a frown
and whenever I see it
a pinch I must give
to myself to remind me
that here's where I live

Widewater Lagoon

Widewater Lagoon
right next to the sea
on a day like today
is the place to be
There are people just walking
whilst some cycle by
and every so often
a seagull I'll spy
It's such a nice walk
on my way to the beach
so I'm massively grateful
it's in easy reach
as it means to this place
I can come for a wander
on days like today
and not let them squander

In my room II

In my room
I have my stuff
and it is lovely
here because
it's somewhere I
can come and play
at any time
on any day
sometimes a game
or music here
or writing poems
to bring me cheer
and my small dog
young 'Obi' there
will safely snooze
and with me share
this little room
where I can come
and be myself
and have some fun

Going home

From a night on the streets
he returned in the sun
sniffing at something
he'd found on the run
The sun was now bright
and the new day was dawning
so it was back to his den
on this fine summer morning

Labour divine

Lavender production here in full swing
its fragrance filling the air
as jars of pure loveliness wait to be filled
on the table in front of me there

Every seed saved, the purple and mauve
cathartic this labour divine
Some given away, some kept just for me
as all of this lavender's mine