The grass on the allotment
was very long indeed
the no-dig plots were overgrown
and needed thorough weed
but after we had strimmed it
it once again took shape
so I don't thinks it will be
too long now til we make
it start to grow some produce
for our table and for more
to brighten up this place
which both Sal and I adore
Last week I braved the train because I had to
and it wasn't all that nice
seemed the people had forgotten
and were content to pay the price
But today was a different matter
and I felt more at ease
travelling in for pleasure
with just myself to please
Well, although the sun was shining
and some warmth was evident
it wasn't packing substance
to support a whole day spent
sitting by a beach hut
just looking at the sea
So I decided not to do that
quite unreservedly
The garden's gone ballistic
over just the last few days
with branches full of colour
grown in lots of different ways
It's looking like a jungle
so we'll have to see to that
giving it a summer trim
with branches for the hack
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
Writing in my little book
really brings me pleasure
just crafting lines of poetry
to hold and yes, to treasure
I just can’t stop myself I find
I simply have to write
be that in the daytime
or late into the night
I watched the shilling spinning
it was mine in no small measure
Enough to buy two Matchbox cars
to hold and keep and treasure
The fingers twisted blithely
as they caught and spun again
but I saw no abandon
found no one there to blame
A long shaft of sunlight
peirced the gloom
and lit up an otherwise
darkly clad room
It spoke of a promise
born on a smile
with a voice full of hope
I’d not heard in a while
Don’t let me sit inside
when there is sunshine to enjoy
Fill me with the wonder
that is out there to deploy
Give me the enthusiasm
to be out there on a whim
just lapping up the atmosphere
with an expectant grin
I’m plagiarising something
today, but never mind
‘Cos there’s every best intention
and it’s not meant to be unkind
For I have (as to be honest)
done a thing I often do
Been listening to music
and the sounds I loved and knew
There is never a time
when a visit is not
unrewarding for me
whether chilly or hot
It is always refreshing
a pleasure and more
For there are always the
treasures along the seashore
Every once in every while
as I write I find a smile
It has a lot to do with style
and sometimes just a little guile
So as I write I find that I’ll
find words which rhyme which I’ll compile
All to combine to my profile
Along the western esplanade
out across the sea
A golden winter promise
reached out its arms to me
So I stood a little while
awestruck and swathed in grace
as it wrapped its arms around me
in a sunrise warm embrace
We brought a David Hockney print
and hung it on the wall
An early Christmas present
to be admired by one and all
It’s from a London retrospective
at the Royal Academy
to which just under four years past
we went, my wife and me