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

The best I’ve known

Back on the six-miler
in Sussex from my home
it's great to be up here again
the best walk I have known

And that is saying something
as many trails I've trod
several on the continent
and more on English sod

But it's always back to Sussex
which is hardly a surprise
as this is where my home is
where my heart truly lies

The golden hour

The golden of the evening
is a lovely thing to see
glistening on forsythia
and shining off its leaves

Particularly through the strands
of our new sunscreen door
colourful it gently sways
which is what we bought it for

And there is birdsong out there
as the sunset it arrives
a joyful song to end the day
and the pleasure it derives

A week off

And now I am on holiday
no working for a week
the precious time all of us need
and starting as I speak

I suspect there'll be some sunshine
and some days down on the beach
relaxing at the beach hut
as it is in easy reach

And I'll take in the six-miler
on the hills above my home
as I've not done that in quite a while
so walking skills I'll hone

Pond Water

There’s a pub in Brighton called ‘The Pond’
closed of course at present
as every pub in England is
which is a bit unpleasant
It serves a pint they brew themselves
‘Pondwater’ – quite sublime
which I will savour once again
quite soon, I trust, sometime

Fine days and sunshine

Sitting in my garden
thinking ‘grass – it needs a trim’
but I’m content to sit here
in the sunspot I am in
and sip an IPA I found
in the cupboard waiting there
for just a moment such as this
I’l say with ‘savour faire’

Grins as wide as wide can be

I have my Apple USB SuperDrive
to play those old CDs
on my MacBook Pro Professional
a simple way to please

I have my old bureau to sit at
note book and pen right here
A cup of coffee waiting
for simple ways to cheer

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

Back to the beach

I haven’t been down to the beach
in quite a long while now
mainly due to lockdown
and a feeling that somehow
if it doesn’t feel quite right
to walk down into town
because of all the idiots
who spread this virus round
then as to get down to the beach
a walk through town is needed
I think my own advice is here
advice that is well heeded

Baking

Thought I’d do some baking
not baked in quite a while
as after all a fresh new loaf
is bound to bring a smile
So I found all the ingredients
and kneaded it and proved
then floured it and dusted
with the washing-up removed
Then with half an hour’s baking
a new loaf proudly stood
bringing with it satisfaction
and the smile I knew it would