Fishbourne

And so it was with Romans
Fishbourne finally today
saw Sal and I this morning
venture out and come this way
England’s mosaic glory
tessellated on the ground
tells a tale of history
when in the sixties found
And now this treasure prospers
revealed for all to see
Especially today for
my soulmate Sal and me

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Our bit of land

Went to the allotment
it was quite overgrown
and not too much sign
of the things we had sewn

But after a while
spurred on by the weather
it was looking quite peachy
as we worked together

Enough rhubarb there
for a crumble or three
and the last of the lavender
just waiting for me

Twenty Hours

I’m on a train to Yorkshire
in bright sunshine for the day
Left when dawn was breaking
as it’s many miles away
Just shy of twenty hours
this working day for me
From the South Coast and then back again
by midnight hopefully

Welcome back

Sun broke through
the clouds at last
Said ‘hello’ once more
I smiled and said
‘Hello’ right back
‘What you been waiting for?’

Long Mile Walking

Long Mile walking
Darkening sky
Sun a warm glow in the west
Toe in the water
Cool lapping sea
Smiling at nature’s behest

Past & Present

Small boy on the beach
throws pebbles in the air
Can you see the circles spreading
Have they caught you unaware?

Small boy on the beach
chases waves that turn and fall
Can you hear the distant murmer
of that far off echoed call?

Small boy on the beach
walks tightrope on the groyne
Here is my mind’s eye picture
as past with present joins

A walk at turning tide

Smooth the sand
‘neath rain streaked sky
Seagulls on the wing
Soft whispered
from the distant sea
the wind begins to sing

Sheffield Park II

We wandered fields at Sheffield Park
Wolfgang, Sal and I
Finding paths where no-one trod
beneath a cloudy sky

No sign of rain and very warm
Muggy, I would say
But it seemed to have the best effect
as crowds had stayed away

Redolent of the sun

Colours I remember
from when I was very young
Stayed with me into later years
with so many seasons come
But one has been a steadfast
for me a lucky fellow
The vibrancy of summer
captured in the colour yellow

The Wheel

In Worthing last weekend us two
rode proud on Worthing Wheel
It was massively exciting
and brought a lovely feel
We had three revolutions
it really was a thrill
with views across to Brighton
the sea below quite still

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

Jemverse II

So I’ve been writing for a while
a poem every day
Been doing this for fifty years
so I’ve along the way
picked up (I’d say) a trick or two
over all that time
of how to craft words into verse
which flow and nicely rhyme

Back to the sun (1, 2, 3, 4)

One line here to capture the sun
Two lines now the day is all done
Three lines reflecting all of the fun
Four lines to bring us all back to the one

The Poet’s Pen

Never still the poet’s pen
always a verse to find
be it one that comes from life
or like this one, from the mind

Never still the poet’s pen
creativity abounds
cathartic is the rhythm
those pen to paper sounds

Never still the poet’s pen
for there’s so much to say
captured in a few short lines
and posted by the day

To end a perfect day

To end a perfect day
we walked along the beach
our small dog running free and proud
the sea in easy reach
The shadow of the sun
spread gold across the sky
A fitting end to perfect day
as together we strolled by

August

12 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months II’ series

And as we settle to this lovely heat
I find myself in summer sun
Relishing these warming days
filled with things that speak of fun

Through and through a summer person
I could live the year like this
as days of warming sunshine
are to me ones filled with bliss

Days are a little shorter now
but the sun’s intensity
could stay and keep the summer
here in perpetuity

Seventh waves

The breeze was a stiff one
but the sunshine was warm
down on the beach yesterday
And the sea was like turquoise
reflecting the sky
Quite lovely in every way

Life is like…

Life is like a flower of blue
with fragrance of the sun
Mysterious yet loveable
for me and everyone

Life is like a sky of blue
with clouds all fleecy white
Overwhelming yet with comfort
soothing everything in sight

Life is like a sea of blue
with waves of movement there
Boundless and yet welcoming
with love and care to share

Companion & Friend (Ruth)

As her eldest son, I wrote this as the eulogy for my late Mother’s life celebration on Friday 14 June last.

Ruth Eunice Shrimpton
Was Croucher, Nee Dainton
is having a whale of a time
So I thought I would capture a bit of her life
for you in some syntax and rhyme

Seven and eighty years is a
good innings to have for a start
And whilst we don’t have the time
for all of that here
These words have come from my heart

Rose ‘n’ daisy

The postman brought us yesterday
a box from two good friends
who’d very kindly, lovely flowers
to us, they’d thought to send
It really was a nice surprise
Gave us a warming glow
‘Cos it’s nice to get a present
by surprise from friends you know

Lovely IV

The variegated colour of
our Nasturtiums in full bloom
return year after year
when they first appear in June
They really are quite lovely
and I’m glad they reappear
as their colour in the garden
brings us pleasure, yes and cheer

That lavender time again IV

I’m going to need a bigger basket
this year I think as I
harvest all my lavender
which has grown tall and high
For this year all my bushes
a bumper crop have grown
and I have much more lavender
than I have ever known

Two Lavenders

Bought two big lavenders in pots
two years or so ago
and whereas one has grown abundant
the other one’s been slow
Having said that, the one I planted
is the one that’s done the best
So there’s a lesson here I think
to learn and in that time invest

Drusillas

We went down to Drusillas
for our anniversary
four of us this time, Bezza
Sally, Grace and me
There were parties of schoolchildren
but we made an escape bid
and marched on up ahead of them
so from the masses hid

Sal and I as senior citizens
got cheaper entry too
First time to take advantage
just for asking, as you do
And we made sure that we got there
when it opened on the dot
As that’s always best on days like this
especially when it’s hot

Walking Sussex 3 (revisited)

10 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Slonk Hill circle to the Dyke,
sky surfers with a beer
Much warmer in the sunshine,
filled our hearts with cheer
Cloud cover in the afternoon
but when the sun came out
It was warmer than we’d felt of late,
of that there was no doubt

Sussex shores revisited

9 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Muddy brown midst churning waves
I hear the ocean sing
with yellow skies beneath the grey
and seagulls on the wing
Tumultuous the breakers there
foaming on the beach
the anger of the waters’ voice
staying out of reach
Yet despite that thinly veiled threat
there is beauty here today
the power of these Sussex shores
which take my breath away

Sussex Fields revisited

8 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Sussex fields so
bright and green
nicest that I
think I’ve seen
And when the sun
breaks over hill
I think that they
are nicer still

Walking Sussex 4 (revisited)

7 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘Sussex’ series

Beachy Head to Birling Gap,
the lighthouse red and white
The Seven Sisters rolling cliffs
made an awesome sight
Day four of walking Sussex
and this one by the coast
The hottest day we’ve had so far
and the week is gone, almost.