Has to come soon from winter's charade the warmth that all now we crave as the weather has thrown its toys from the pram and doesn't know how to behave Has to come soon, the Spring and the Summer it's mid-April and soon will be May so we're well overdue for a taste of the warmth that makes for a lovely Spring day
April 12, 2023
Has to come soon
January 19, 2023
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
January 17, 2023
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 16, 2023
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
January 15, 2023
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
January 14, 2023
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
January 13, 2023
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
January 12, 2023
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
January 11, 2023
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
January 10, 2023
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
January 9, 2023
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
December 30, 2022
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
December 28, 2022
Rejuvenation
December 27, 2022
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
December 14, 2022
Of sheep, walking and winter revisited
December 2, 2022
Wander for the day
December 1, 2022
Start 4
November 17, 2022
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
November 1, 2022
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
March 12, 2022
Of sheep, walking and winter
January 19, 2022
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
January 17, 2022
Sunset in symmetry
January 15, 2022
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
January 12, 2022
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
January 11, 2022
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
January 10, 2022
Thinking of summer when cold (reprise)
January 9, 2022
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
January 8, 2022
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