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

Christmas week VII

7 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

The Christmas week now
today sees its end
with just five days to go
before this year we’ll send

On its way with relief
as really we should
as let’s face it, it’s truly
not been that good

But before it’s sent packing
we still have some December
to fill with good things
for us to remember

Christmas week VI

6 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the day after Christmas
twenty-sixth of December
and if I say so myself
a one to remember

For this year as we know
has been naff to extreme
the worst one in fact
that the world has yet seen

But despite all the naffness
we have still come together
for the best of good times
we will treasure forever

Christmas week V

5 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

The week before Christmas
has been and has gone
And it’s Christmas Day now
that this day is upon

We’ve had Bucks Fizz for breakfast
and a walk on the beach
a tradition of ours
as it’s in easy reach

Christmas dinner’s at five
but before that in store
are whoops of delight
and presents galore

Christmas week IV

4 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the week before Christmas
and the last day arrived
Twenty-fourth of December
and we’d all survived

The gifts are all wrapped
and the ‘bubble’ is here
with big smiles all round
for good Christmas cheer

And as we settle down
for ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
we’ll put to one side
all the trouble and strife

Christmas week III

3 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the week before Christmas
just two days to go
Twenty-third of December
and all were a-glow

For true festive spirit
descended today
and despite the restrictions
with loud ‘weh-heh-hey’!

As we are determined
this Christmas will be
the best Christmas ever
for our family

Christmas week II

2 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the week before Christmas
just three days to go
Twenty-second December
but no sign of snow

But the Bethlehem star
from the planets alignment
had shown on the Solstice
for worldwide excitement

So that was quite special
for many to see
in the week before Christmas
in twenty twenty

Christmas week I

1 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the week before Christmas
just four days to go
and most of the household
was ready to go

The tree had been splendid
for several weeks there
with gifts now appearing
just waiting to share

And excitement was growing
there in the wings
for this time with a promise
of the joy that it brings

Homes

time is water
taped on an unbending light
these pages stand
high eyed frogs
nights hemmed on verdana

The Visitor II

We had a little visitor
who startled us last night
there behind the cupboard glass
perched and in plain sight
A little chap, brown and petite
his presence now declared
though how he found his way in there
was not something he shared

Something II

This morning up there very high
I saw something that caught my eye
Contrails streaked across the sky
White against the blue

First XII

Concluding the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series [12 of 12]

Inevitably August time
when this month comes around
would see us looking forward
to a holiday we’d found
Somewhere hot and balmy
and usually on a ship
far across the ocean
for our destination trip

Sorted

Had a bit of a sort out
and found lots of things
some purchased at random
in one of those flings
Others forgotten
or just put away
on a whim and a fancy
on one rainy day

More Summer

It’s miserable out there
so I think today I’ll stay
cosy here inside my home
and simply have a play

The wind is blowing boisterous
and the sky is full of rain
But it’s summer and July so
the sun will come again

To see where I hide

I have a small corner
with a chair and a cushion
Comfortable, it is a place to hide
albeit in plain sight
It is here that I escape into music
to while away hours lost to rhythm
safe in the knowledge
that this is my place
My sacrosanct
My place to hide
And dream
And breathe

A stone’s throw

A stone’s throw from the hillside
and a stone’s throw from the beach
Gosh! I am a lucky fellow
to have this in easy reach

And what’s more I have a river
from the sea into the hills
so if I tire of either
I have that to bring the thrills

Bliss IV

It was really quite hot
but the colour right there
showed me one thing
that the sun had a care
For it with the rain
when that comes gives us this
a garden that’s lovely
for joy and for bliss

Leisure days

Sometimes you need leisure days
when slowing down is good
Cathartic, they restore the soul
so you really know you should
I had one of those yesterday
as the forecast was for rain
and some things they needed doing
and they wouldn’t wait again

Nestled

Nestled underneath the Downs
beside the deep blue sea
Shoreham town lies quietly there
serene and peacefully

Approaching from the Sussex hills
this view it caught my eye
and thankful that I live down there
I ambled slowly by

Everything to me

Looking through to Shoreham
‘cross the river from the beach
reminds me of the fortune
I have here in easy reach
Equidistant from the downs
to the beauty of the sea
this little town where here I live
is everything to me