Last day tanka

Twenty seventeen
And with Auld Lang Syne tonight
For sake of old times
We’ll take a cup of kindness
Old acquaintances renewed

©Jemverse

 

Goative Greetings

Goat jumped up the fence at me
At Tulley’s Farm today
Bleated out a greeting
Polite, as if to say
‘Good day to you, I’m very pleased
‘You took the time to come
‘And say hello to me today
‘It’s really rather fun’

So, smiling I, replied in kind
As it seemed the thing to do
So charming and polite was he
(Well, you would do, wouldn’t you?)

©Jemverse

 

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There was gold…

There was gold on the horizon
Out there across the sea
As we drove back into Shoreham
My soulmate, Sal and me
It filled the sky above us
With clouds tinged pink and bright
Heralding a promise
As we’re told to bring delight

There was gold on the horizon
As the sun bid us adieu
But it will be back tomorrow
When morning comes anew

©Jemverse

 

Bing was not in Sussex

Bing was certainly not in Sussex
when he sang his famous song
As a white Christmas here
was so far back, so long
that I can scarce remember it
So many years ago
When we enjoyed in Sussex
a little Christmas snow

Yesterday we got a dusting
on December twenty-seven
when a little of the white stuff
found its way to us from heaven
But it didn’t stay for long of course
and soon turned back to rain
So it may be several more years yet
‘Til we see snow again

©Jemverse

 

Austerity (another casualty)

The Rising Sun at Beeding
is closed and shuttered now
But the stained glass sign outside still hangs
with dignity somehow

Its classic valley views
with a pint come evening time
no longer, sadly, to be seen
when it was at its prime

For now its doors are firmly shut
The beer pumps closed and dry
Another casualty of the times
to bring a tear to eye

But, sad although its closure is
I’m pleased the sign’s still there
As it serves as a reminder
for those who have a care

©Jemverse

The Rising Sun public house at Upper Beeding in Sussex originates from 1857 when it was built as a brewery and ale house. Sadly it closed to the public in 2017, another casualty of UK austerity madness. 

Lichen Green

And along these brittle winter trails
with barren branches here
The green reminds as lichen still
retains a festive cheer

So, putting best foot forward
a swift step through the field
Wrapped up warm for Christmas
I wander Sussex Weald.

And the lichen green reminds me
of a hand still there at play
in the beauty all around me
on this brittle winter day

©Jemverse

 

A soliloquy for Christmas

A soliloquy for Christmas
with a little introspection
Thinking of the year that’s been
in pensive contemplation
And looking forward to the next
anticipation growing
For all the promise that’s in store
A smile, as I’ve the knowing

This Christmas morning silence
affords a moment still
For soon there will be laughter
with gifts exchanged at will
And then there will be merriment
The epitome of joy
Christmas with the family
with promise to deploy

©Jemverse

 

A Christmas eve walk

The day of the eve before Christmas
and all of us out for a walk
Taking in Sussex, the river and downs
for a jolly good laugh and a talk

Conversing about the things we have done
whilst out in the fair countryside
Dusting off cobwebs, eight miles or so
Family and friends to confide

And much later on at ‘The Lion’
we’ll put up our feet with a beer
The laughter is sure to continue
as we celebrate good Christmas cheer

©Jemverse

 

Close to bliss

The beach huts may be shuttered
and closed for wintertime
But the sunrise ‘cross the sea is
just as equally sublime
as it can be in summer months
much earlier than this
But still tinged with a wonder
which comes quite close to bliss

©Jemverse

 

Clarity III

And the light this morning
emulates a clarity anew
Captured on the coast road
as I pass with clear sea view
Pastel pinks and subtle blue
Oranges and yellow
confirming absolutely that
I am a lucky fellow

©Jemverse