No snow Sussex

In Yorkshire it was snowing
I heard online today
whereas down south in Sussex
it was simply dull and grey
In fact I can’t remember
the last time snow I saw
must have been some years ago
before a winter’s thaw

New tree

Obi found a little tree
over by the fence
and as it had gone unnoticed
we all paid recompense
Obi ran around a bit
as we thought how nice it was
to plant a new tree in this place
for sustenance because
it really is a lovely field
so what could be a better way
to celebrate it being here
than this new tree today

Oranges

Vibrant these oranges
capture the light
looking lovely for photos
and my appetite
But for this still life
I have to confess
that the picture you see
is one orange less

For bliss

Ice cold here yet beautiful
Jack’s frosted strands they cling
with brittle fronds of loveliness
to cover everything
Too cold to stand here very long
yet there is time for this
rare spectacle of wonder
at this time of year for bliss

Over Brighton Tonight

A sky atmospheric
over Brighton tonight
met us on the beach
reflecting the light

Spectacular was
the view there that we
had to pause for a while
by the night-blackened sea

Three acre field

December in Three acre field
so it’s wellies every time
as mostly it is raining though
sometimes it’s also fine

It’s colder now as well of course
but Obi doesn’t mind
as he still has his run about
and has a lovely time

And we still have a wander round
breathing in the air
and just like him enjoy the fact
of simply being there

Ballistic Nasturtiums

The nasturtiums’ gone ballistic
even though the summer’s gone
as it’s reaching now to skyward
and its stems are very long
It’s spreading ‘cross the garden
showing no sign of demise
which with its splash of colour
at this time of year is wise

Julie’s plate

Julie’s plate makes for a picture
with oranges waiting there
in the middle of our table
for a feast we’ve yet to share
and as the light was perfect
and the depth of field just right
I thought I’d take a picture
as they made a lovely sight

Autumn’s glory II

There’s a golden yellow blanket
covering the grass
as leaves fall from forsythia
now autumn comes to pass

November sees a bluster
and they fall down to the ground
the foliage from the summer
now for a winter found

Testament befitting

The pastel pink of evening
was in the sky tonight
as I sat writing poems
and caught the lovely sight
So with my i-phone there I captured it
before it went away
attesting to the passing
of another lovely day

Golden II

In the churchyard there’s a tree
which is golden at this time
particularly lovely when
on days like this it’s fine
I’m thinking it is magical
with a secret proud to share
showing off its wonder here
to all who stop and stare

My southern hills

Last time I came along this way
it was chalk upon my feet
Clouds of dust cooked by the sun
in lovely summer heat

But what a change here now to see
now autumn rains have come
the dried out dip now water-filled
reflecting autumn sun

A lucky chap I am

Up on the six mile circuit
these hills retain their charm
bathed in an autumn sunshine
they bring a certain calm
And wandering by these hedgerows
with berries bright and red
this is the perfect place to be
o’er anywhere else instead
So I put best foot forward
and walked because I can
so conscious of the simple fact
a lucky chap I am

The last day of summer

The weather forecast tells me
That tomorrow there’s a turn
In the weather we have seen of late
So last chance here to burn
Just one more day of summer
It’s not that much to ask
A final opportunity
Beneath that sun to bask

Entirely mine

9 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

There isn’t much to beat this
even if I tried
the sound of surf, the rising sun
and no place here to hide
Not that you would want to
for here is everything
to bring you joy and reason
to raise your voice and sing

Rude not to

5 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

It’s still early but here
on the beach the warm sun
is rising and raring to go
So I’m here in my shorts
“Cos I felt that I ought
get in there and go with the flow

Twenty year view

3 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

For over twenty years
I have sat and watched this view
back since I was forty when
this vista was brand new
Hut one-o-one at Lancing
on the east side of the beach
about three miles from where we live
so still in easy reach

Daisy II

Wild daisies in the field
caught a moment there
whimsical they capture
a thing I had to share
So I got down to their level
as that seemed the thing to do
to take this lovely picture
which I’m sharing here with you

The hill, the view and breath taken

Walked through the woods
as it wended its way
uphill all the way to the Ring
The weather was kind
and we didn’t mind
as no waterproofs did we bring

Late Lavender

In a patch by the pond
with driftwood surround
late lavender blooms in the sun
nurtured by hand
it’s now looking grand
with fragrance ’til summer is done

Sweet Pea Vibrant

These sweet pea colours vibrant
fill our garden with their joy
their aim to please and satisfy
self-evident thieir ploy
Success, just like their name is sweet
with purples, reds and blue
this painting full of colour
we will never here eschew

That lavender time again V

Permeating everywhere
heaven’s scent again
that ‘lavender time’ is here once more
bring on that sweet refrain

An afternoon spent bagging it
that heady fragrance there
as I breathe in its loveliness
a thing beyond compare

And what is totally sublime
is that throughout the year
I simply have to squeeze a bag
to rekindle summer cheer

Lighty-up-Llama

Last year I got a llama
for my birthday just for fun
it lights up of an evening
powered daily by the sun
And then glows different colours
as the evening takes a hold
from red to green to purple
and blue to yellow gold
At the bottom of our garden
it makes for cheery sight
as along with many others
it glows throughout the night

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

With best foot forward

With best foot forward
I take to the hills
following each chalky trail
It’s different each time
and abundantly fine
bring joy every time without fail

Bringing joy

Never fails the trail
regardless of the time
that I have traced my steps up here
when the weather’s fine
Well trod chalk the wayside flower
the blue sky and the sun
combine here in God’s country
bringing joy whene’er I come

By any other name

“A rose by any other name
would smell as sweet” as this
that grows within our garden
every year to bring us bliss

The Bard of Stratford knew a thing
or two about his writing
and I’m not pretending for a mo
this poem’s so exciting

But those words he penned for Romeo
and Juliet somehow
remind me of this rose I see
so I’ll pay homage now

First Lavender III

We’ve not been to our allotment
Covid-19’s seen to that
But Emily our daughter
has been keeping it intact
We’re seeing lots of pictures
which she takes from time to time
and I’m pleased to say as ever
that it’s looking mighty fine