Christmas day music

Christmas day music, boiler room classics
rhythm into the night
The sound so cathartic
Healing me there
Loud and uplifting and bright

And we whooped and we danced
On the latter in spirit at least for me
prone at this time
But the unified pleasure
we all got from the vibe
was tangible as it was fine

Christmas day music, what better thing
to conclude a magical day
Shared with best people
finding zest in it all
In a joie de vivre exuberant way

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Away for Christmas

Away for Christmas
we're going this year
Not far - just to Brighton
for respite and cheer
The whole family together
for five days away
Starting this morning
back next Wednesday
And I'm hoping that healing
these few days will be
as I fight this insidiousness
growing in me

©Jemverse

Photo – Emily Rose Croucher

Christmas coming

I have to say Christmas
this year's slipped me by
Been preoccupied
other things on the fly
But I noticed the date
just yesterday and
realised it was coming
and close now at hand
And it filled me with joy
a calm and a peace
which I need at this time
as a kind of release

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Incumbent of grace

The best thing about Christmas
especially this year
above all the frolics
and laughter and cheer
and the fact we have made it
despite the pandemic
testament to the spirit
of people endemic
is the absolute pleasure
we can have here for free
the being together
as one family
all seven right here
at this time in this place
the best present ever
incumbent of grace

©Jemverse

Photo – Ed Croucher (from left to right – Jem, Bezza, Sal, Grace, Lee, Emily & Ed)

Paddle boarding Santas

On Christmas day in Shoreham
five hundred santas gathered
for a paddle on the Adur
though some were fairly blathered
and with paddle boards a-plenty
the red there and the white
made for this Christmas day right here
a truly lovely sight

It brought as it intended
a smile to every face
who stood to watch them paddle
in this very special place
and it said by words through action
that whatever life may bring
joy and laughter here at Christmas
is the most important thing

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Christmas Eve

5 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Christmas Eve Friday is here at long last
let the japes and the cheer now begin
for this family together
as it has now forever
is bursting with laughter and grin

For this is our happiness and nothing less
cathartic and wondrous and free
all six here as one
for plenty of fun
to share with this great family

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Twenty-third

4 of 5 in ‘The week before Christmas’ series from Jemverse

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
and everything's ready I'd say
The Crouchers are coming
the house is a-humming
for the absolute best Christmas day

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
we have food and presents galore
and never say never
we six are together
to show just what Christmas is for

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Reluctant Reindeer

3 of 5 in ‘The week before Christmas’ series from Jemverse

The Houndie House sled has been up now for weeks
for reindeer dogs to pose by
but whenever we go
our reindeer says 'no'
so we'll make do with this with a sigh

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Houndie House is a safe dog-walking field we visit weekly in Sussex]

Obi the Squidge

2 of 5 in ‘The week before Christmas’ series from Jemverse

Obi the Squidge is a dog of small stature
but although his legs may be short
he knows what is what
and the good life he's got
and he's fast enough not to be caught

Obi the Squidge has a brain that is cunning
so when he sees something he's not allowed
he waits til time's right
and then out of sight
makes off with the prize feeling proud

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Measure on measure

The Christmas tree's up
and it's twinkling there
under the window
good spirit to share
It's welcoming glow
is a comforting sight
when I leave in the morning
and return home at night

And the advent sack beckons
a departure this year
from traditional boxes
but still oozing cheer
As every morning we delve
to find a new treasure
from our four grown-up children
for measure on measure

©Jemverse

Photo – our Christmas 21 ‘advent sack’ – Jempics