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

Sunshine as a friend

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

Weekends II

So another week passes
and reaches its end
with two days of rest
waiting there like a friend
Arms open wide with
a smile on its face
it welcomes you in
and slows down the pace
Makes you a coffee
or a hot cup of tea
relaxing as always
and totally free

In pictures

I’ve been looking through my pictures
as I do from time to time
at photos I have taken
in the sunshine when it’s fine
others taken in the rain
or when walking by the sea
or up there on the Sussex hills
all precious here to me

Rearranging

Every so often my soulmate and me
feel like a bit of a change
So oft with a plan
we’ll move things around
and the furniture we’ll rearrange

Like rainbows

Words fell like rainbows
brightening up my day
their colour exacting but fine
and what’s more I realised
there with a smile
these words were entirely mine

It felt like Spring

It felt like Spring
through I knew that it wasn’t
outside in the garden today
as down near the ground
green shoots were around
with colour now well on its way

In times such as these

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

An ode to Summer

3 of 4

Momentum carries me forward
into the heat of the day
for a warmth that summer belongs to
with feeling mere words cannot say
It’s the season I always long for
Its comfort a tangible thing
Its presence to hold and cling onto
for a smile and a reason to sing

An ode to Spring

2 of 4

Winter’s grey-cast clouds have passed
and Summer’s child is here
to bring us hope and merriment
and fill our hearts with cheer
This child is full of freedom
speaking freshly of the truth
which every year around this time
gives nature’s hand its youth
Summer’s child will not stay long
but with a flair and fling
as seasons through the years have sung
for Summer’s child is Spring

An ode to Winter

1 of 4

Crystalline clarity out there today
in the treeline over the way
A frosting has covered the fields overnight
with beauty mere words can’t portray
So I’ll not waste them here but contented instead
I’ll quietly stand here for a while
and let Winter’s wonder embellish instead
that picture in mind for a smile

Yorkshire

So I’m back up in West Yorkshire
God’s own country so they say
But my preference is for Sussex
which I prefer ‘most any day

Yes, here there are attractions
unique to Yorkshire and the north
But home’s still where the heart is
when one travels back and forth

So I’ll gladly come for business
or to visit for a while
But take me back to Sussex
as it always brings a smile

For a smile

There are times such as these
when alone with my pen
and lavender scent in the air
I will, pensive of mind
sit here and unwind
and think of some verses to share

May

No.9 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months II’ series

May arrives with emerald glow
When Spring is here and in full flow
And oft to walking we will go
In the warm sunshine

May arrives as summer’s child
With warmer days and weather mild
On which we all will oft have smiled
With the warm sunshine

Last day of the hols

And here I have just one more day
to spend and use in my own way
I’ll lie in for a little then
write some words with my new pen
over coffee with some toast
and Marmite maybe (make the most)

Our new Alexa, music plays
on this the last of holidays
A playlist of my favourite songs
to which I’ll dance and sing along
Then maybe I will play a game
Red Dead Redemption 2, the same

October

No.2 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months II’ series

October comes and days are shorter
Autumn’s settling in
Soon the clocks go back an hour
The light gets pale and thin

Summer in Mind

A patch of wild flowers growing
in the churchyard yesterday
Reminded me that summer
wasn’t all that far away
And yes, I know it’s over
by the chill that’s in the air
Felt now come the mornings
seen by coats worn everywhere

The Poet’s Gift

Beauty in a little verse
Never sad and never terse
Words to cheer and bring a lift
All within the Poet’s gift

Versing

When I find a word I like
I’ll caress it for a while
before committing it to verse
for pleasure and a smile

Eyebrow of the sun

15 of 16 in the Jemverse ‘Venetian Vistas’ series

The expression of the sun
as it set on our last day
across the sea out to the West
was a marvellous display
The gold across the ocean
on the water spoke to me
as I heard the voice of sunshine
and the echo of the sea

Holiday IV

We’re Adriatic sailing
Be gone for several days
Hiatus from the Jemverse vibe
Whilst he’s out on the waves

Brightening

Just a few words is all it takes
to change the way I feel
Escapism? maybe sometimes
but they have the power to heal

Just a few words each morning
finds a way to say
something new to bring a smile
and brighten up my day

Jem’s new hat

Wandered round in Brighton
brought a brand new hat
Blue to match my sunglasses
Sylish (that’s a fact)
Felt much like a rock star
walking round the place
with lovely Brighton people
and a smile upon my face

Friday afternoons

Friday afternoons are great
‘Cos I don’t have to work too late
I’ll aim to finish at Midday
the weekend starts, Hip Hip Hooray!

My Place

Can I just say, yes one more time
‘This is my favourite place’
As you’ll not find me here
without a smile upon my face

Long weekends

The welcome of the long weekend
when sun is shining
And, with coffee in hand
I smile to the day and
realise that I am not working

Yellow Poppy

Yellow poppy
growing wild
Pretty there
like it I smiled

Right time, right place

In London quite early
(I was up with the lark)
So it’s still very quiet
in St James’ park

And just there by the lake
as I happenchanced by
A picture of heaven
for a smile and a cry