Sussex Trug

Got a Sussex Trug on Father's day
an antique one as well
it really is quite beautiful
and though not keen to dwell
it's something I have wanted
for as long as I recall
something made in Sussex
and from local wood and all

Gardening

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

Trees have feelings too

A tree jumped out as I walked by
surprise upon its face
I laughed and smile right back at him
as I passed close by his space

He seemed quite pleased to see me
when the shock had passed away
so we had a conversation
on this lovely sunny day

He said it was polite of me
to stop and give him time
as most just passed and never paused
which borders on a crime

And then came the rain

And then came the rain
close after the sun
a deluge which lasted
for days on the run

The gardeners and farmers
were over the moon
but all the sunbathers
said it was too soon

For the weatherman said
that the heatwave would last
but all of a sudden
it's forgotten and past

Sunshine VII

Thought I'd missed the sunshine
but thank goodness there it was
the sunspot in the garden
in full sun still there because
although we are north-facing
the setting in the West
gives sunshine in the garden
until six o'clock at best

Born to the sun V

Back in the fifties
and born to the sun
a Thursday's child
knew he had begun

Growing up in the sixties
never sun to eschew
this Thursday's child 
was still nearly new

And then cam the seventies
formative years
a teen to his twenties
with joy and yes, tears

Heatwave

It's been one of those sultry days
that summer sometimes brings
when the sunshine burns intensely
with heat haze shimmerings
and though it's now past five o'clock
there's little respite here
so I feel quite contented
to pour a nice cold beer
And with mock orange fragrance
heady in the air
sit here a little longer
the evening sun to share

The man in the mirror

The man in the mirror
looks back at me
he is a lot older now
He's seen a few things
but still his heart sings
despite the lines on his brow

Maybe he's wiser
and maybe he's not
it's something I'd not really know
but he'll never leave
his own joie de vivre
so he's happy to go with the flow

Al fresco dining

In Shoreham town al fresco
dining now seems to be the norm
which is lovely in the summer
when days are mostly warm
but when they're overcast
or quite windy like today
it's not without a smirk
to see the faces there portray
something of discomfort
as they put on a brave face
yet shiver as they eat their meals
this climate to embrace

In my room

In my room of a morning
when all around's still
and the world's waking up
and the birdsong is shrill
I can find inspiration
in the solitude here
to write words of wisdom
erudite and clear
and craft them to lines
to retain for a while
and maybe to publish
with the curl of a smile

Sufficient to please

I am pleased with all my lavender
and though weeks yet til the chop
I've several plants now on the go
to bring a bumper crop

Still green of course yet now the shoots
here early into June
are good to see and promising
with all the flowers in bloom

Perfect II

Mock Orange and the bumblebees
buzzing in the sun
spreading fragrance in the garden
now the summertime is come

The deepest blue of sky above
the wisp of clouds, the breeze
warm and gentle on my brow
and cool upon my knees

New book, nice pen

I have a new book
to write poems in
it'll last me three months or so
as I scribble away
writing words by the day
to capture what life has to show

And I have a nice pen
which does well for me
so I ensure I have refills to spare
as although contribution
it's no substitution
to write with a pen without care

Abundantly clear

And this morning
the glorious sunshine pervaded
so wondrously
that I was persuaded
though it didn't take much
it the truth be told
as when one is faced
by mornings of gold
it is really and truly
abundantly clear
that June has arrived
and the summer is here

Tri-haiku XXXIII (Heaven)

Afternoon sunshine
in June, deliciously hot
I am in heaven

But it is a place
on earth, as Belinda said
and she was quite right

Nowhere else I would
further be this afternoon
than right here right now

Monday lunchtimes

Monday lunchtimes at Al Campo
watching life go past
the windows open to the world
with summer here at last

The sunshine's really hot out there
but no one is complaining
as the start of summers' overdue
from all the Maytime raining

Through the trees

Evening sunshine through the trees
the Warren shaded now
but I still feel the sunshine
so warm upon my brow

It has been one of those balmy days
that only summer brings
and conjures up those feelings
that pull at old heart strings

Eye to the sky

Soaring up to deepest blue
the i-360 there
as dwarfed beneath its structure
I turn my head and stare

The 'doughnut' glistens in the sun
high up there in the sky
as tourists take their pictures
as they're taken way up high

Though truth be told I always would
prefer the old West Pier
this is still a fitting tribute to
the Brighton that's still here

Promenading

Walked along the promenade
from Hove to Brighton town
the sunshine warm with summer
come to take away the frown

Very many people there
all walking in the sun
celebrating here in unison
that summer's truly come

The sea reflected blue of sky
the breeze a whisper there
the mood one of exuberance
in which we all could share

And as we ambled there we six
in jocund company
enjoyed our promenading
in Sussex by the sea

Chillin

There's a ship sailing by
and a gull on the wing
and the sun in the sky
gives a reason to sing

And there's really no reason
to move for a while
as we can sit here
with a beer and a smile

And just watch the sea
and soak up the vibe
at this place on the beach
by the blue ocean wide

Rockwater

At Rockwater for brunch
overlooking the sea
with sunshine and Sal
the children and me
The summer's arrived
and exquisite the place
evidenced here
by the smile on the face
of everyone here
as they chat and just be
on the seafront in Hove
by the blue of the sea

Beginning 10

10 of 12 in the Jemverse series ’12 months IV’

As summers come and summers go
June comes around each year
and with it comes a joie de vivre
I've all my life held dear

For I am a child of summer
born for warmth and sun
when the golden one's high apex
means that June has finally come

Decima I

For Jemverse this is long overdue
a 'decima' poem ten lines long
which captures rhyme in lines so few
and speaks of syntax in a song
which I as poet bring to you
No syllabic sequence here
but rhyming lines to be quite clear
which read together each combine
to aid the rhythm of each line
and culminate in this idea

Soulshine II

Soul searchings' sometimes painful
as thoughts they come and go
but if the end result is such
to bring a warming glow
then you've done yourself a favour
as soulshine's what you need
to bring about a joie de vivre
and happiness indeed

Sunshine returns

It seemed to rain forever
and winter had returned
with cooler days and cruel winds
as Springtime warmth was spurned
But then as June lay waiting
there dawned a brighter day
with deep blue skies and sunshine
which I hope this time will stay

A little chap

Took a picture of the yellow
in my garden as one does
'cos they are really lovely
so I snapped them there because
I thought they'd make a picture
to put up as a snap
so I was quite surprised 
to find I'd caught a little chap

Radishes

Had a bumper crop of radishes
from our allotment, pleased to say
filled a big sack with them
when I picked them yesterday
They have a lovely pepper taste
and they'll make a tasty lunch
and I'm pretty sure they'll soon be gone
not certain, just a hunch

Painting Poetry

The poet wrote a poem
to capture what he saw
just a few lines of simple verse
to have and hold in store

As there will be those moments
when as Wordsworth said
vacant or a pensive mood
will be the thing instead

And then there is the pleasure
to recollect those lines
and rekindle just a little
of the moment and these times