The morning after the mourning

It's the morning after the mourning
the official period done
and though not forgetting Majesty
she's now radiant in the sun

Her long reign now is over
and with Phillip and the rest
she's Queen now where in heaven
everything is just the best

The happenstance of precipitation

We didn't get much for most of the summer
which for farmers and gardeners
was a bit of a bummer
And we attest to that fact with good claim
as nothing much grew
which was quite a shame
Yet now in September in buckets it's falling
almost as if it had heard
all our calling

Something from nothing

It doesn't look like much I know
but the satisfaction wrought
from half an hour of crafting
inspired by a simple thought
is pleasing and in fact replete
a sense of job well done
working with just what you find
whilst having lots of fun
And that in fact's the essence
of what this allotment brings
to each of us as time we spend
down here whilst growing things

Soaked

Just before the thunderstorm
yellow in the sky
as heavy black clouds gathered
ominous on high
And then the heavens opened
and from it buckets came
as underneath the waterfall
we got soaked by rain

Of oak leaves, glass and talented soulmates

Fresh out the kiln for autumn
oak leave inspired glass
bound for the stall in Lewes
purchased by those who pass

All crafted by my soulmate's hand
I'm hoping one will find
its way into my study
as I am that way inclined

Juxtaposition

We found it there neglected
and sadly overgrown
bindweed and brambles covered it
forlorn and on its own

But that did not take long to go
and banish it for good
the thing to do and done because
we really knew we should

Good cheer

I've probably said it and written it down
in a poem I've crafted before
Repetition aside though, I'll say it again
as this is what writing is for
A message in words with a syntax to flow
off the tongue as one reads it aloud
which as poet and wordsmith fills me with a joy
of which (I might add) I am proud

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

Two thousand years

Two thousand years of weathering
this column's stub has seen
in situ still in Sussex where
in all that time it's been
A testament to Roman skill
and craftsmanship to see
that though but just a stub remains
it's here and long will be
So, looking up to Bignor Hill
this ancient land so fair
I stood to ponder that a while
and in that moment share

New lavender III

Its flowers were no more and it
was definitely past its prime
but it was going really cheap
so I paid and made it mine
then took it to the lotty where
I gave it pride of place
a new lavender for the herbal plot
its presence there to grace
And bedraggled though it may be
I will nurture it with care
as it promises next summer
lots more lavender to share

Stopham Bridge IV

At Stopham Bridge, late summer
with cool waters down below
as the Arun slowly trickles
on a turning tide quite slow

Sitting on the decking of the
White Hart across the way
this view is quite breathtaking
on this peaceful summer day

This place

Sat down at the allotment
in late summer sun
with a welcome can of ale
the weeding here all done
The no dog plots are looking good
and our labour is well spent
as everything is looking great
almost as if with intent

For an ear (reprise)

Concluding the Jemverse series ‘Music II’ [10 of 10]

I am music and pleasure
for those with an ear
Hours of contentment
for freedom and cheer

The Elderflower song (reprise)

9 of 10 in the Jemverse series ‘Music II’

Heavy scent floating in the air
with sunshine after the rain
The music echoes with a sweet
harmonious refrain
Daisy-like the clusters sing
the Elderflower’s song
and breathing deep the fragrance
I hum and sing along

Seagulls, the sea and a song (reprise #2)

8 of 10 in the Jemverse series ‘Music II’

Alone on the shingle
Salt in my mouth
Braced against wind
Looking to South
Out there in the green
Waves rise and fall
As I listen again
To familiar call
A song just for me
The swoop and the cry
The sea and its music
As seagulls fly by

Early hours radio (reprise)

7 of 10 in the Jemverse series ‘Music II’

Radio in the early hours
heard whilst half asleep
Subliminal soft whispers
just enough to keep
Songs that come the daybreak
are still inside my head
So I’ll look them up on Youtube
and watch the video instead

Rhythm II (reprise)

6 of 10 in the Jemverse series ‘Music II’

As the music fades
with the rhythm of my drum
I am still dancing

Dancing to life (reprise)

5 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

I danced on a quay at Emsworth
playing a really big drum
The crowds from the town all following us
and everyone having fun

I danced with Pride in Brighton
‘neath a rainbow coloured flag
The crowds of people partying
in the sun made me feel glad

Bringing Happiness (reprise)

4 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

Listening to music, anything will mostly do
But my spine will always tingle with some solid 12-bar blues

Lots of things bring happiness, this is just for starters
And mostly not a day goes by without finding what I'm after

Tipple (reprise)

3 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

In these fragile days of Autumn
When I am flustered by strong gales
There’s something to look forward to
The partaking of fine ales

A tipple of an evening
When the weather is like this
Gives a little taste of summer
With its happiness and bliss

Constant (reprise)

2 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

Music knows no boundaries
It cares not how I feel
It has but one sole purpose
To cure all and to heal.

It will lift me and console me
It will always be a friend
It will surprise me and amaze me
For its wisdom knows no end.

Lifting (reprise)

1 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

Like a strong hand to lift my soul
Music comes again
And as my rock begins to roll
Sunshine comes to play

Like a fishing net to catch my blues
Music drains away
All the cobwebs which have gathered
In the corridors of grey

Sunday (Jemaiku)

Sunday, ah - the rest and peace
unimportant - time
These are all my hours to spend
with choice and fancy
whim and nonchalance
For the pleasures of my choice
until evening comes

Four spans across the Adur

Part of the ‘Past to Present’ series from Jemverse

Four spans across the Adur
at its mouth at Shoreham town
on the road on into Lancing
at the foot of Sussex Down

Four spans of steel construction
admired for sixty years
'til Norfolk Bridge mark II's demise
'midst many local tears

Something about

Something about the hand of the sea
and the tactile nature of things
it leaves in its wake for people to find
to pull at many heart strings

Something about the smooth of the feel
and the salt blended into the grain
that brings inspiration to a poet's mind
for words that will always remain

Start 1

1 of 12 in the ’12 months VI’ series from Jemverse

It's the first of September
and here for the starting
a new Jemverse series
with the old just departing

Twelve poems each as
the first day arrives
will start every month
if my writing survives

Rainfall

When the rain came at last
it was long overdue
not that the sunshine
we'd ever eschew
But the ground was so parched
and the water was low
so the need was profound
for the reservoir flow

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