It felt like Spring

It felt like Spring
through I knew that it wasn’t
outside in the garden today
as down near the ground
green shoots were around
with colour now well on its way

It felt like Spring
though I knew that it wasn’t
with warmth I’d not felt for a while
and as birds sang their song
knew it wouldn’t be long
before sunshine again brings a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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Emmaus

To Emmaus for a rummaging
in the bric-a-brac arcade
and later for an omelette
quickly for us made
We found a jug for flowers
but nothing else today
just nice to come and have a browse
upon a Saturday

Pondered for a moment
looking at the ruins here
of what was once a priory
back in yesteryear
And then we headed homeward
for a nice hot cup of tea
The new jug proudly on the shelf
for everyone to see

©Jemverse

Photo – Priory ruins, Emmaus, Old Portslade, Sussex, Uk – Jempics

Emmaus Communities enable people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment. Companions, as residents are known, work full time collecting and reselling donated furniture. This work supports the Community financially and enables residents to develop skills, rebuild their self-respect and help others in greater need. The Old Portslade Emmaus community has 53 resident companions and runs a second-hand bric-a-brac, furniture and clothes store along with an award-winning cafe.

As a stranger

In this still dark morning hour
before the day has yet begun
by water still and icy cold
with absence of a warming sun
All is quiet so with tippy toe
by the canal I slowly tread
as signs of life on longboats close
dimly light the path I’ve led

And I am as intruder here
so quickly on my wintry way
I wend my path so resolute
determination for another day
For this is not my place and I
a stranger from a stranger land
with accent far from recognised
remove myself with pleasure and…

©Jemverse

Photo – early morning on the canal at Shipley, West Yorkshire, UK – Jempics

Of pizzas and pubs

And so it is to Bradford
on another winter night
I find myself at Noble Comb
with time to sit and write
It’s fairly packed this evening
with families eating out
and workers sharing pints of beer
their voices raised to shout

The music on the stereo
is not my choice but still
the pizza that I ordered
will satisfy and fill
And the ginger beer was lovely
did its job and reached the spot
whilst I struggled there to finish
the food whilst it was hot

The noise it dissipated
by and by as people went
And me full and defeated
realised I was quite spent
So I finished off my beer
and headed back next door
to the hotel I was staying at
to fall asleep and snore

©Jemverse

Photo – the Noble Comb pub, Shipley (near Bradford), UK – Jempics

Fleeting glimpses of wonder

There’s something to be said
when travelling to Southend
of the sunset on the water
on the estuary of the Thames

Catching glimpses like this
of the things around I’ve seen
reminds me of the beauty
in the places I have been

And even though a fleeting glimpse
as the train sped on its way
it filled me with a wonder
on this fragile winters day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Yesterdays

I gathered all my memories
lest they faded to the past
No melancholy there
but I wanted them to last
For collectively they’ve shaped me
into what I am today
Precious to hold onto
as my tomorrow’s seize the day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

As a seagull again

7 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

As a seagull I flew inland from the sea
Up in a yellow-tinged sky
Looking down with the freedom I commanded in flight
as I swooped and I soared up on high

I watched as the river meandered below
Through the town I am proud to call home
with its cluster of houses gathered close to the sea
over routes I have so often flown

And as I flew I gave voice as we seagulls do
shouting out to the winds a loud cheer
close to the ocean in Shoreham-by-Sea
“I am really so pleased that I’m here”

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham at low tide by W Standen

Jemverse first posted “As a seagull” on 9 March 2016

This river again

6 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

In this river’s silted tributaries
Navigation now
Reserved for smallish river craft
Low of beam and bow
And yet, two hundred years ago
Galleons here were made
Crafted beams at Bramber
Where many keels were laid
Such changing times of commerce
The Adur’s here provided
For this fishing port of Shoreham
Which by the sea has long resided

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham at low tide by W Standen

Jemverse first posted “This River” on 8 July 2015

Shoreham Airport again

5 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

Shoreham Airport’s terminal building
The oldest in the land
Is getting a new makeover
To make it fresh and grand

It’s 1930’s facade fell into
a terrible state
With peeling paint and cracks in walls
But soon it will look great

Stavers Tiltman will be proud
Of his Art Deco creation
England’s oldest licensed airport and
a credit to the nation

©Jemverse

The Shoreham Aviation Ground started in 1910 just 7 years after the Wright brothers first flew in 1903. Situated on the flat coastal strip of land on the South Coast of England between Brighton and Worthing, the aerodrome was officially opened on 20 June 1911. The first flying school was established in 1913 and, on 13 June 1936, a beautiful Art Deco style terminal building, designed by Stavers Tiltman, was added.

Photo – Shoreham at low tide by W Standen

Jemverse first posted “Shoreham Airport” on 12 November 2014

Walking contented again

4 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

These cobbled lanes, a thousand years
Where countless souls have trod
This hallowed ground where now I walk
On sparkling dew-clad sod

This sleepy town, its flinted walls
Where fisherfolk resided
And the comfort that the parish church
Reliably provided

This history, this pleasure
Given by this place
I walk in now with privilege
A smile upon my face

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham at low tide by W Standen

Jemverse first posted “Walking Contented” on 18 September 2014