Home Alone

Today I'm here and home alone
'Cos Harry Potter's not my thing
at least not live performance
with encouragement to sing

'Cos that's where all my family
have gone today save me
swanning off to London
so I have the day quite free

Yes, there will be music
a no brainer there, and games
and perhaps a little snooze
as the forecast is for rain

Our field

So many times
we've both walked this field
with our little dog, Obi
in the heart of the Weald
Just north of Steyning
on the Partridge Green road
it's been here our haven
and many times strode

Each time we come here
something different we see
whilst Obi does running
quite safe and quite free
and we never grow weary
despite knowing it well
as it's wholesome and lovely
which these words I think tell

The whole I am

Some weeks you just need one
to recharge your soul
for relaxation and rest
and to get you back whole
For when you keep going
bits drop off and fall
and though gradual a process
you're not quite your all

The treasure party

Enriched I am carried
as if on a cloud
to this place of fulfilment
my head duly bowed
For it is with all honour
and privilege here
that I share in this glory
at this time of year

Exuberance

And so into the woodland trail
for an exuberance of gold
this treasure of abundance
now the year is getting old

For times like these I live and breathe
and even though it's chill
my winter coat and long johns
will ensure I catch no ill

Fare more beside this treasure trail
quite free there to partake
is something quite essential
at this time of year to make

Part of the picture

In the gallery a sculpture
made of mirrors so we there
took a picture in position
so with it we all could share
Placed us in the location
that we love above the rest
for a day out in our happy place
that really is the best

A revitalisation of cheer

Hiding in long shadows
of a small gig still I stood
listening to the music
but wishing that I could
find there the enjoyment
that my friends and others there
clearly understood as in
the moment there they shared

Yet despite the disappointment
in the long shadows here with me
a certain feeling lingered
that I knew with certainty
Said I was meant to be here
as this venue and this place
was testament and evidence
of promise born from grace

Happy Place

First time to London
in two years or more
all Crouchers together
for good times galore
So this morning we all
are up with the lark
for coffee and toast
before we embark

We're heading for South Bank
Tate Modern no less
as we've all missed the vibe
we will freely confess
The company jocund
the excitement complete
we can barely contain
and keep still in our seat

Of mornings and writers

In this still hour of darkness
before morning's begun
when the night time remains
with mere vestige of sun
you'd be forgiven for thinking
it just wouldn't come
and that darkness forever
would be the deal done
But if you did you would always
miss out on the fun
for this time of day
is a long way from glum

Days Gone

In Regency Square
where once stood the Pier
Victorian splendour
still evident here
but time has moved on
and the 360 high
is now the feature
high up in the sky

Yet standing here now
the future I hold
is recalling the heyday
('cos yes, I'm that old)
when the West Pier still stood
as a visual feast
besting the new one
a mile to the east

Treasures

On the table outside
are memories we treasure
rocks and pebbles from Dorset
hold joy beyond measure

Some fossils, all lovely
some plain and some not
we love every one
and are pleased with the lot

And they're out there for purpose
to get wet in the rain
for then we can see them
as we found them again

SDW (South Downs Way)

The South Downs Way
my favourite trail
so as moments come
I'll oft regale
the pleasure I derive from this
just walking here
my perfect bliss

Jack and Jill

On the South Downs
high, top the hill
we walked around
the Jack and Jill
two windmills there
and standing still
though long time now
since flour to mill

The view gave all 
the eyes to fill
where we took stock
of our free will
November yet
not really chill
we wandered freely
with no ill

No word to complain

Sat with no surrender
as waves washed over me
cocooned here in sound
in my own symphony
Cancelling all externals
AirPod Pros they do their thing
and as spine tingles I am lost
to words I softly sing

This is a beautiful moment
dreamlike I drift away
lost as music envelopes me
here at the end of day
And if this is like a heaven
this moment, this refrain
in an element I will be
with no word to complain

The found to the seeker

I looked and I found
the word that was lost
and despite everything
it was worth all the cost
for this word is the essence
the 'je ne sais quoi'
the one with a nod
you will say an 'aha'
and with kindred spirit
agree here with me
the word was worth finding
quite wholeheartedly

Figments

The second of four and the rain
a threat yesterday has arrived
Yet here on the set of November cast
the sun's in my heart and I thrive
For it really is all about seizing the day
and the treasure trove waiting a find
So seldom the time to fret about things
which are mostly figments in mind

Reunion II

The light outside intense today
rain threatened but despite
all that I am yet buoyant
now the mornings here from night

A word of explanation is
quite needed there of course
and I am happy to oblige
for feelings of remorse

As today, a Friday morning
a long weekend it starts for me
with reunion long awaited
of two friends flamboyantly

Sometimes the words

Still and November and grey yet quite warm
to the beach I ventured today
and alone on the shingle with my good friend the sea
stood there with something to say

But the words being stubborn just wouldn't come
so I stood and looked out to the grey
and as high tide turned tail and never looked back
still silent I went back to my day

Sometimes the moments they come and they go
some seized for the moment, some not
and though a beach is a good place to be with no words
it's enough to be calm with one's lot

Veteran

So this morning, leaving Brighton
after breakfast in the sun
we saw two old cars passing
on the annual 'old crocks' run

Both brought a smile, they always do
these cars of yesteryear
with drivers dressed up to the nines
quite cold but full of cheer

And not alone our spirits raised
as people stopped to wave
the veterans as they chugged past
a memory to save

Boostered! (whoop whoop)

Got boostered in Brighton
it's given me lift
as I'm all chuffed to bits
by this wonderful gift

It was easy, a walk-in
just gave them my name
then the small Pfizer jab
and the reason I came

Looming grey

From the window of my office
looking south o'er Worthing town
a looming grey above me
told of rain soon coming down
and yet the glow beyond that
where the sea joined with the shore
told of brighter things to come
with sun shining once more
and as it turned out t'was the latter
which prevailed at end of day
November chill with sunshine
and no rain on homeward way

I waved a long shadow

I waved a long shadow
by a favourite tree
in a favourite field
where I love to be
the sunshine was bright
but with rain in the air
though sadly no rainbow
was evident there

But as usual the joy
of the wander we had
in Seven Tree Field
just made our hearts glad
and our little dog, Obi
he ran and he ran
with exuberant gait
with which all dogs can

Music Days IV

Days listening to music
the most cathartic ones I know
to while away a lazy day
and watch the hours go
And my varied and eclectic taste
will many genres see
from rock and pop and classical
all there to keep me free
And then when spine's been tingled
and tears of joy I've spilled
the knowing look behind my eyes
shows I have been fulfilled

John Harvey

And down the Bridge Wharf twitten
the brewhouse brews beer and wine
standing proud there for tradition
now since eighteen thirty nine

John Harvey forty years before
in Bear Yard across the way
started brewing Harvey's beer
and does so to this day

Yellowing glow

From my window up high
and out to the east
the glow of the morning
was a visual feast
Yellowing there with
the sun yet to rise
the blues and the pinks
hid little surprise
as I knew that in store
was a beautiful day
from this yellowing glow
and this lovely display

Public Service Broadcasting

Brighton's Dome, a place I've missed
whilst Covid's kept us in
for live music's long hiatus
which has bordered on a sin

But though the virus is still with us
freedom has now found a way
to open up the doors again
'Thank Goodness' hear me say!

As last week with good friends I'd not seen
for two long years returned
to Brighton's Dome for a live gig
a treat we all have earned

The Plan (Part VII)

No. 7 in the continuing Jemverse series ‘Allotment’

The plan came to fruition
and gave us more than we had dared
and now that it's November
I am really pleased we cared
For the produce it has yielded
from the 'no dig' plan we made
has come in its abundance
so I'm pleased with it we stayed

One III

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

I can't quite believe November is here
the year has sped by so fast
the Spring and the Summer merged into one
with a warmth we all hope will last
Not going to happen for much longer I fear
as Winter waits in the wings
and Jack Frost's remembered his repertoire
with the cold stuff all of that brings
But for now with green just starting to turn
and the sun still strong in the sky
I'll cling to the vestige of summer still here
and not wish the Autumn rush by