January’s iron heart

Holding court o'er frosted mornings
as winter does its thing
and January light holds frail
whilst jesters feebly sing
the promise of a warmer clime
is vacant here and scarce
visible the absence from
the heart of one who cares
Yet still with hope resilient
resolve gains gradual muster
as subtle signs of coming Spring
break through the chill lacklustre

Too cold in the field

Too cold in the field
in the rain yesterday
as my legs are quite short
in a small canine way
alright for my humans
in warm coats and hats
but a different thing
for small furry chaps
so we didn't stay long
just a short trot around
for a sniff and a wee
on the water-logged ground

A kindness

It's not being selfish as sometimes you need
a kindness extended to self
a pampering here
for a top up of cheer
all to keep you in perfect health

And it's not just your body but your mind of course too
that needs looking after each day
mental health care
to keep you aware
and help you along on your way

Sunset in symmetry

Sunset in full symmetry
over Shoreham yesterday
as we drive back down from Lewes
heading homeward on our way
Golden beams across the sea
from sunshine in the cloud
made for a special moment
and announcement there aloud

Walking to Africa

With best foot forward this New Year
determination sets my gait
with a virtual walk to Africa
as several million steps await

And it seems I'm not the only one
as in the rain today
I spied outside a gathering
of cyclists on their way

I'm guessing that their riding goal
was somewhat less than mine
particularly as the weather is
today far less than fine

Delight

Bleak this green into the grey
a salt-laced winter wind
from a prevailing westerly
full in the face that grinned
and shivering at the whitened shore
to far horizon seen
the figure hunched to winter cold
knows full where he has been

A spirit freed

The mystery of what's beyond
the gate across this winter field
keeps me guessing in the rain
that winter brings to Sussex Weald

I can see I think a mound of earth
and a house bathed deep in mist
behind the barren trees devoid
of green the spring and summer kissed

And part of me longs there to tread
exploring paths to whence they lead
for this the gift on me bestowed
to celebrate a spirit freed

Aspiration

Accused of recalcitrance
well maybe that's true
when it comes to the verse that I write
For I see little merit
so will always give credit
to a smile and bring it to the light

For that is my virtue
my license to use
no matter how I might feel
As a bright word to me
is one needed to be
if by it something there needs to heal

Still too cold in the winter

Concluding the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’ [10 of 10]

Neglected in winter
gets quite overgrown
Too cold to sit out there
grass stays unmown
Trees shed their leaves
and they fall to the ground
and because I’m not out there
they just lie around
And I know that I should
and one day I will
Just not today thank you
‘Cos I can’t stand the chill

Back to January’s Shivering Smile

9 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Tangible this winter chill
In January’s raw intent
As beneath these spectred morning veils
the silent mist is sent

Intrusive to beleaguered calm
Whispers like a shout
I’m a stranger in an iron-clad still
with no one else about

Yet frigid though the air might be
January serves to bring
A shivering smile through chattering teeth
that it will soon be Spring

Thinking of summer when cold (reprise)

8 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

When it’s cold in the winter
I will look to the sun
and think back to the summer
as I have always done
Back to the days
of whimsy and breeze
when a cool wisp is welcome
rustling quiet through the leaves

Adur valley beauty revisited

7 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Today the river mirrors
The pale blue of the sky
As whitened Sussex fields
In frosted splendour lie

Lancing college chapel
Proud as always on the hill
Overlooks the Adur valley
Quiet and beautifully still

And as I gaze upon this vista
Briefly from the train
I am reminded that I live here
And a smile returns again

A cheery thought revisited

6 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

In the depths of winter howling winds
And nasty pouring rain
My thoughts turn to the summer
And to warmer days again

It is good to have a cheery thought
When you’re shivering in the cold
For summer keeps you younger
Whilst the winter makes you old

Winter chills are wearing. They are
dour and pretty grim
But the merest thought of summer
Never fails to bring a grin

Like a whisper…again

5 of 10 in the Jemverse winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Icing sugar on the road
a dusting overnight
the sun glow in the eastern sky
still a glorious sight

Cold there is no doubt of that
minus six and falling
but the crystal air is lovely
on this chilly winter morning

Back to wonderment

4 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Cloudy breath and crystal-coated
Water pools beneath my feet
Jumpers, hats and scarves and gloves
And other things keep in the heat

Marvelling at this white-clad wonder
Sunglare glinting through the trees
Everywhere a special moment
Captured by this winter freeze

Cold again

3 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Long shadows on a blanket, white
Laid silent from a still, clear night
Harsh lying in the morning light
Cold against my brow

Iced fingers on a shimmering morn
Crystals on the covered lawn
Stark reminder, chilling born
The winter with me now

White…again

2 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

In white there’s essence of the new
January starts the year afresh
As we from hibernation
awaken from our winter rest

In white there’s hope and promise
Galanthus for a New Year’s day
Echoed in these few short lines
Capture all I have to say

Back to first frost

1 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Sunshine like water, diluted and pale
Greets me on this cold winter’s day
Bereft of its warmth, there’s a sadness there
Its exuberance fading away

Yet in the long shadows of the first morning frost
Its magic remains in clear view
A glistening white vista across Sussex fields
Ice diamonds replace summer dew

Youth rekindled

Something I have longed for 
since nineteen seventy-seven
arrived on Christmas morning
with a little slice of heaven

My own Millennium Falcon
and an AT-AT for good measure
which after careful building
I can keep and always treasure

One V

5 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months V’ series

Emerging from long slumber
fresh, I breathe in the first day
and, calling aloud her name to the winds
claim this New Year's day for hope.
For here is positivity -
anticipatory emotion.
Yet, no insipidity here
as this is a cherished agency;
one that clings to the soul and sings
long and proud and true

Last day bussokuseki

And so the last day
What philosophy inspires
to leave us with hope?
As the old fades to the new
and promise leaps to the fore
None, save a prayer for the bold

2021

Just two days left of the year that has been
and I find myself drifting away
looking back to the past
with a bit of a blast
on twenty-one's last but one day

It's been one of pandemic but also of hope
triple boosted at its end as I am
I have exercised care
and am proud to share
I'm as healthy as I think I can

Free writing #1

I had no words this morning
at least none written down
my poems book page empty
the one I carry round
but then it's been so busy
and the house is not our own
sharing it with offspring
now older and full grown

So much preoccupation
excitement, laughter, joy
and little time left over
for a poet to employ
the tools his craft lays open
to capture what life brings
though always left is memory
amongst those precious things

Drifting away

Red Snapper Mojo floating
I'm here, relaxed and me
listening to the stereo
the perfect place to be

Life goes on around about
and I'm ok with that
as I am in my element
chilled out to be exact

If you could

Went for a walk
on the beach by the sea
December winds blowing
but lovely to be
in this place that we love
close by where we live
which pleasure on pleasure
it will always give

For no matter the season
or time of year
we visit these shores
we always find cheer

Incumbent of grace

The best thing about Christmas
especially this year
above all the frolics
and laughter and cheer
and the fact we have made it
despite the pandemic
testament to the spirit
of people endemic
is the absolute pleasure
we can have here for free
the being together
as one family
all seven right here
at this time in this place
the best present ever
incumbent of grace

Paddle boarding santas

On Christmas day in Shoreham
five hundred santas gathered
for a paddle on the Adur
though some were fairly blathered
and with paddle boards a-plenty
the red there and the white
made for this Christmas day right here
a truly lovely sight

Christmas Eve

5 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Christmas Eve Friday is here at long last
let the japes and the cheer now begin
for this family together
as it has now forever
is bursting with laughter and grin

For this is our happiness and nothing less
cathartic and wondrous and free
all six here as one
for plenty of fun
to share with this great family