Raining in August

This year we decided
not to travel to sun
but enjoy it at home for a change
But perhaps that decision
now with some derision
with hindsight, we should rearrange

For instead of the sun
we’ve enjoyed up to now
it’s turned cooler and rained every day
Just one of those things
that August it brings
which we’ll enjoy here anyway

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

The Wizard of Hagstone

I’m a hagstone wizard
‘cos I’ve got lots of those
collected and found on the beach
As not a visit is spared
before one is paired
to the others I have in my reach

I have hagstones on chains
which I’ve hung from the trees
in my garden out there in the sun
and others on show
where they bring a warm glow
as I cherish them every one

I have hagstones a plenty
although they are rare
for my eye as a wizard is keen
Their magic it draws
as I on all fours
search the beach for those I have seen

They’ve had many names
over centuries as
their magical mystery abounds
A stone with a hole
that’s good for your soul
I love every one that I’ve found

©Jemverse

Photo – a found hagstone, Shoreham beach, Sussex, UK – Jempics

[Hagstones – stones with a natural hole – are apparently quite rare. And yet, I have never left a visit to the beach in Sussex (of which there have been thousands) without finding at least one].

Fishbourne

And so it was with Romans
Fishbourne finally today
saw Sal and I this morning
venture out and come this way
England’s mosaic glory
tessellated on the ground
tells a tale of history
when in the sixties found
And now this treasure prospers
revealed for all to see
Especially today for
my soulmate Sal and me

©Jemverse

Laid in AD 160, this is the mosaic floor of one of the main dining rooms in the north wing of Fishbourne Roman palace, near Chichester in West Sussex. Discovered by accident in 1960 during the laying of a mains water pipe, excavations have since revealed it to be the largest Roman palace in the UK. [Photo – Jempics]

Tri-haiku XXII (drifting)

The joy of being
on holiday and at ease
Days pass slowly by

As relaxation
finds me in my element
Cock-a-hoop abounds

Merging together
the days pass without a care
And find me drifting

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Tri-haiku is a Jemverse thing; triplets of haiku strung together to a theme. The old English phrase ‘cock-a-hoop’ originates from sometime in the 14th century; it means to be ecstatically happy]

Our bit of land

Went to the allotment
it was quite overgrown
and not too much sign
of the things we had sewn

But after a while
spurred on by the weather
it was looking quite peachy
as we worked together

Enough rhubarb there
for a crumble or three
and the last of the lavender
just waiting for me

A butternut squash
in the weeds there we found
yellow and gorgeous
and close to the ground

And a few summer berries
from the shrubs on the side
Raspberries and blackcurrants
to give us some pride

And yes there’s more grass
than growing plots here
but it is our allotment
and throughout each year

We’ll play and discover
new things from the land
which we have there planted
by our own loving hand

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Twenty hours

I’m on a train to Yorkshire
in bright sunshine for the day
Left when dawn was breaking
as it’s many miles away
Just shy of twenty hours
this working day for me
From the South Coast and then back again
by midnight hopefully

Some may question if my sanity
is all there and quite intact
as the day will be a long one
there is no doubt of that
But the purpose is resourceful
and the outcome will be great
despite the early start
and the getting home so late

©Jemverse

Photo – Kings Cross station, London, UK – Jempics

Welcome back

Sun broke through
the clouds at last
Said ‘hello’ once more
I smiled and said
‘Hello’ right back
‘What you been waiting for?’

It’s not been here
for several days
and I’ve been quite morose
All better now
it’s back of course
I suspect as it well knows

I think a trip
down to the beach
to celebrate is right
and I’ll stay there
til sunset sees the
evening turn to night

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Inspired by ‘Sun Back‘ posted on Jemverse on 18 July 2015]

Long Mile Walking

Long Mile walking
Darkening sky
Sun a warm glow in the west
Toe in the water
Cool lapping sea
Smiling at nature’s behest

Smooth sand rippled
from undertow’s pull
revealing a rich treasure trove
I pick up a pebble
washed by the sea
as along the Long Mile here I rove

Driftwood abandoned
cleaned by the sea
Caressed by its loving hand
I’ll take and will treasure
as a gift from Long Mile
here on the fine Sussex land

©Jemverse

[Inspired by ‘The Long Mile‘, posted on Jemverse on 18 August 2014]

Past & Present

Small boy on the beach
throws pebbles in the air
Can you see the circles spreading
Have they caught you unaware?

Small boy on the beach
chases waves that turn and fall
Can you hear the distant murmer
of that far off echoed call?

Small boy on the beach
walks tightrope on the groyne
Here is my mind’s eye picture
as past with present joins

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Jemverse previously published this as ‘Small boy on the beach’ in July 2014]

A walk at turning tide

Smooth the sand
‘neath rain streaked sky
Seagulls on the wing
Soft whispered
from the distant sea
the wind begins to sing

Turn the tide
the ebb once more
back across the beach
Meet again the
shingle always
well within sea reach

Whitecaps now
on falling waves
salt upon the air
Distant sunshine
ends the day with
night time waiting there

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics