The language of the sea

The short lapping waves come in then recede
incessant and gentle and free
They speak to me softly in whispering tone
what it is to be part of the sea

And I understand fully as this language I speak
having learnt it when just a lad
Its rhythm speaks wisdom of treasure to keep
which over the years I have had

A walk by the water

There’s a lot to be said
at the end of the day
for getting out for a while to the beach
A short walk by water
is just what we oughta
do as it’s there in our reach

About a book from Venice II

This time last year I wrote about
a little book I’d bought
in Venice which I’d fully used
for poems as I ought
It was a lovely book so
when going back last year
I purchased two new volumes
to keep handy very near
For I am looking forward
to using them once more
and writing daily in them
which of course is what they’re for

Lifting II

I’m thinking of a song I heard
one that brought a grin
for that is what I need right now
with the state I’m in
I’m trying hard, don’t get me wrong
and I know I’m not alone
as there are many others out there
who like me must stay at home
But it’s hard remaining positive
so I need a helping hand
provided by a favourite song
sung by a favourite band

Simple II

I don’t ask for much in life
I’m quite a simple chap
Just music and some lavender
will content me, that’s a fact
So enforcing isolation
when we all must stay at home
doesn’t really bother me
and I’ll not gripe and moan

Few trees

3 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

There are few trees up here but still
the view is quite breathtaking
so I don’t mind a bit because
it’s freedom in the making
On our doorsteps here but still
few people get this far
A mystery as up here the view
is quite spectacular

From Three Trees

2 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series from Jemverse

From ‘Three Trees’ on the Beacon
with sunshine in the field
the view is always wonderful
out across the Weald
As you can see for miles
to the hill line way up north
across the scattered villages
as clouds pass back and forth
This place it is idyllic
high up on South Downs Way
made better by the sunshine
on this lovely mid-March day

As a tree

1 of 3 in the ‘Tree’ series  from Jemverse

Though I am a poem
I am often as a tree
spreading wide my branches
to the winds and fancy free
Sometimes I am majestic
growing strong and very tall
and other times I’m minuscule
insignificantly small

Mother’s day 2020

My mother didn’t make it
to see my sixty years
when she passed away in May last year
amongst the smiles and tears
That saddened me (of course it did)
but it’s other times I miss
like the joy of giving flowers
on Mother’s Days like this
Yet the solace that I take away
from all the days I’ve cried
is the ever joyful knowledge
that she’s by my Father’s side

Sunshine shadow

Sunshine shadow
casts a glance
with nonchalance and whimsy
warming through the window
but outside still frail and flimsy

Sunshine shadow
gains in strength
now though as Springtime garners
new life from winter’s barren hands
for gardeners and farmers

Little for perfecting

Across the bridge over the Adur
at night with lights reflecting
This view across to Shoreham Beach
needs little for perfecting

Fortitude

Each evening on the journey home
we drive beside the sea
‘neath a big sky that sweeping view
How fortunate are we?
The shingle beach right there beside
the road just yards away
a pleasure bringing fortitude
on each and every day

Lazy eye snuggle

A black nose nestled
in the crook of my arm
contented and dozing as we
sat late into an evening there
my soulmate Sally and me

Today

3 of 3 in the ‘Day’ series from Jemverse

Today I will probably work for a while
I’ll start about eight I would think
But first I’ll sit here and look at the world
as I’ve still some more coffee to drink

Every day

2 of 3 in the ‘Day’ series from Jemverse

By my window of a morning
when my blogs have been updated
I will sit here with my coffee
’til my mind is satiated

For there’s one thing I like to do
before I start my day
Commit to paper a few lines
in my own special way

The middle of the book

I’ve reached the middle of my book
these little friends of mine
carried with me whence I go
and with me for a time

Scribblings out and jottings too
the scratching of my pen
there to capture all the words
at happenstance and when

Sunshine as a friend

Yellow, warming
lifts my soul
Catches, comforts
makes me whole
Brings a shoulder
to console
the sunshine as a friend

The sea and me II

I watched the sea
it did me proud
I smiled with it
then laughed out loud

It’s everything
and all of me
as I am whole
beside the sea

And II…

And I’ll tell you one thing
And this is quite good
And it has a good ending
And it’s right that it should

Kallax

Kallax from Ikea
gave my music a new home
quite the best arrangement
for my records I have known
as now around eye level
I can see their spines anew
and find what I am looking for
now they’re on full view

I sing

The sunshine comes against the blue
with birds up in the tree
encouraging this morning
as the Springtime here I see
Yes there is still a present chill
the crisp of winter clings
but in my heart the summer comes
so with the birds I sing

First VII

7 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series

Yellow is indicative
as first of March arrives
and with daffodils the birth flower
we know that hope survives

Spring’s just round the corner
so the warmth will not be long
Promise brings a purpose
to the timbre of this song

I am the one in four (reprise)

I am the one in four
leaping through the years
my letters match my value
uniquely it appears
I’m a ‘plus one’ to three six five
my invitation rare
tagged on as February twenty-nine
a tetrad seldom there

Ditchling Down

Ditchling Down
the path so steep
and us all slippy-sliding
In squelchy mud
unbalanced from
the frigid winds all hiding

Ditchling Down
with Weald below
the distant view confiding
as we struggle
down the gradient
quite often all colliding

In Stanmer Woods

In Stanmer Woods the trees stand tall
and sheltered down below
I stand as if on tippy-toe
as I’m quietly in the know
For up above the wind blows free
with frigid winter blast
yet down upon the bracken floor
there’s stillness here to last

Of Beacons and Mud

Went for a walk for a birthday
All of us met at the Star
heading off to the Beacon
via Falmer so not all that far
Up through the woods over Stanmer
frolicking under the trees
rained a lot here so the mud was
quite frequently up to our knees

Respite

A few days of respite
every so often
for a recharge is all that I need
And fresh from the resting
I’m ready to go
revitalised and up to speed

Daffodils

Yellow and gorgeous
they gleam from the vase
on the table, a nod to the Spring
Shouting a welcome
they want us to dance
and lift up our voices and sing