Angel II

An angel perched close by our side
in the branches of a tree
as there we sat beside the lake
with flapjacks and cup of tea
He tweeted sweet a little song
reminding us in case
we needed that, though it was clear
by his exuded grace
He stayed there just a little while
before fluttering away
an angel on his angel rounds
on this fine winter's day

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Steel Grey revisited

9 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series

Mirrored under morning sky
Steel grey silent waters lie
Cold and motionless are they
Heralding a winter’s day

January’s shivering smile revisited

8 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series

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

Bequeathed by Grace revisited

7 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series

Bereft of foliage great trees stand
proudly gracing England’s land
There amongst the winter green
the rolling landscape clearly seen
And pausing here before this view
we are completely thrilled anew
This is England where we live
where nature has so much to give
And we feel a peace when in this place
bequeathed to us by simple grace

Long mile return revisited

6 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

Watching winter setting sun
on the beach from the long mile
A perfect ending to the day
I stayed there for quite a while
An ebbing tide, a lapping sea
with gold reflected there
On the long mile I breathed my thanks
for all this in a prayer

An unwelcome guest revisited

5 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

Winter’s overstayed its welcome
and we’d prefer it now to go
‘Cos we’re fed up to the gills with cold
and howling winds and snow
It’s been staying with us now for months
and whereas we didn’t mind at first
We need the room for Springtime
now the former’s done its worst

A treasure revisited

4 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

Winter greyness seldom sun
Brittle chill for everyone
Daylight precious shorter now
Nighttime lingers on somehow
Yet still to find and bring some cheer
Despite the chill a beauty here
As winter hides but brings to fore
a treasure kept for us in store

Pea Soup Days revisited

3 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

The wonder of this winter view
as it fell to minus seven
with clouded breath escaping gave
a little glimpse of heaven
White on fields and white on trees
on verge and hedgerow too
As if with one cold overnight
the world was formed anew

White revisited

2 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

As shorter days draw in
with colder climes and
a pale sun often hiding,
a white rose of Spring
reminds me that,
behind the curtain of winter
waiting there with bated breath
comfort awaits, next in line.
And it is only the shadow
of the winter chill that
keeps its warmth away from me

Dichotomy revisited

1 of 10 in the ‘Brittle 23’ series from Jemverse

Yes, there’s beauty in winter
I’ll give you that
But, no brainer given the choice
As between both of these
Quite opposed to the freeze
it’s the summer in which I rejoice

Winter V

And this morning sheen replacing white
as winter's iron grip with softer hands
takes ice away with rain.
And we welcomed that. Not quite yet
the warmth we clamour for
in these long months of hibernation,
bit still enough to ebb the chill
and bring semblance of a curl
to downward facing lips

Rejuvenation

Almost iridescent brightness to squint
with eyes skewed to the sun behind
where spiky winter teasels cold
stand proud against a low zenith
of a winter sky

Of Taps and Newcastle winters

Went to the Tap, the weather was raw
but it wasn't the sleet or the snow that I saw
but rather the fair Newcastle town trade
that good conversation with a pint that was made
and convivial warmth with the victuals there
made the winter outside something better to bare
So I stayed for a while and chatted some more
before heading back out to what lay in store

Of sheep, walking and winter revisited

3 of 12 in ‘The of…’ series from Jemverse 2022

The sheep were in the upper field
I could see them on the hill
meandering whilst grazing
whilst winter grips us still
and though there is a part of me
with wanderlust that yearns
to tread those hills and join them
another part adjourns

Wander for the day

Planned a walk, it was quite far
but the views would be spectacular
so there was little here to mar
our wander for the day

Yes, we'll be out for several hours
so hoping for some sun not showers
to claim the day and make it ours
in every single way

Start 4

4 of 12 in the ’12 months VI’ series from Jemverse

It's the first day of December
the last month of the year
and just three weeks til Solstice
that day is almost here
when daylight hours get longer
and winter starts to fade
and I begin to hope for time
when warmer ones are made

Uni sunt for summer

Where are the sunshine days
now winter's cold hand clasps?
Still there though faded now and weak
as summer never lasts

Yet there in the circle promise lies
and breath bated with a smile
knows with reassurance it
will come back in a while

Start 3

3 of 12 in the Jemverse series ’12 months VI’

It's the first day of November, chilly days are settling in
as we now enter winter from the warmer days we've seen
Jumpers resurrected from the drawers and dusted down
Long-johns, thicker socks and such all coupled with a frown
For I don't much like winter - I'm a summer chap at heart
but I will grin and bare it and in these cooler days take part

Of sheep, walking and winter

The sheep were in the upper field
I could see them on the hill
meandering whilst grazing
whilst winter grips us still
and though there is a part of me
with wanderlust that yearns
to tread those hills and join them
another part adjourns

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

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

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

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