A place to be

There's a Millennium Falcon built in Lego on the side
my drum in the far corner which I banged loud with Pride
Evidence of music which is a passion as you'll know
my PS Five and TV - this is a place I go
to while away the hours that I have when being me
be that music, games or writing - it is a place to be

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A good nap

I'm curled in a circle in my little bed
on the floor in the room where I rest my head
when I'm not barking or running instead
as mostly I need a good nap

I'm curled and I'm comfy and that's a no-brainer
as with anything else I'd be quite the complainer
for comfortable snoozes I'm a canine campaigner
as mostly I need a good nap

Mouse repatriation

We'd heard scampering for several days
and the evidence was there
crumbs in all the cupboards as 
our food they'd come to share
But really they weren't welcome
so we brought some humane traps
and tempting them with biscuits
we caught the little chaps
Then one by one I introduced them
to the garden there to learn
the repatriation one way trip
and never to return

Mapping the past

No. 15 in the ‘Past to Present’ series from Jemverse

Found an old map in Emmaus
worn and dusty and old
thought to myself 'I'm having that'
went out of the shop with it sold

Familiar but different
there are things long gone away
a past the history books have claimed
from our quaint yesterday

Peace found

Had ten days last month for wonderful things
to all bring a joy and pull at heartstrings
Places to visit and things to see there
taking photos to later re-live and re-share
Ten days of staycation what more could I need
when living in Sussex for this life that I lead?
As Sussex has all the 'joie de vivre' I desire
with its people and places and things I admire
So whenever a moment affords this release
I'm happy in Sussex as at home I find peace

Wavefall

Went for a walk on the beach
in the morning
at first light of day when
most still were snoring
It was quiet and peaceful
just the sound of the sea
and the crunch of the shingle
the wave fall and me

Homeward bound II

When away in a city that's far from my home
a comforting thought there to hold
is that homeward I'll head and I'm never removed
too far from the warmth of that fold
For no matter how much pleasure derived
or enjoyment from being away
it's always the best to be homeward bound
I would say at the end of the day

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