The turning revisited

Concluding the Jemverse ‘Autumn 21’ series (7 of 7)

Turning now
the green will fade
to liquid gold
of Autumn shade
Past equinox
less sunlight hours
But warm enough
for many flowers

There’s colour here
to hold at bay
the looming months
of Winter grey
But turning now
the fading slow
as Autumn has
still much to show

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘The turning‘ was first published on Jemverse on 5 October 2015

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Another walk in the woods

6 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Autumn 21’ series

Dappled sunlight filtered through
the green tunnel up ahead
as carefree there we wandered
uncertain where it led

Not that we were bothered
for we cared not for the time
on such an afternoon as this
with autumn weather fine

The crunch of fallen leaves beneath
our feet as there we trod
with the perfume of October
from the chalky Sussex sod

The dogs frolicked in the undergrowth
and barked at passers by
as we walked on through the sunshine
underneath a cloudless sky

The forest beckoned deeper
but alas we couldn’t stay
though it will always be there
when we return another day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘A walk in the woods‘ was first published on Jemverse on 14 October 2015

Conkers (revisited)

5 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Autumn 21’ series

I’d turn back time
(If only I could)
For I’ve a bag full of conkers
which I found in the wood
Recalling the days
of muddied scuffed knees
Long days in the sunshine
and the climbing of trees

‘Borrowing’ a skewer
from the kitchen drawer
when stringed conkers in pocket
was what life was for
We threw sticks to the branches
to see what would fall
and the thrill of the find
was just part of it all

The ‘fallers’ were rare
but we searched just the same
Always out in the woods
when the autumn time came
But that art has been lost
for today on the ground
There were hundreds of conkers
just lying around

And the only boy there
was the one in my mind
As it re-lived the days
that time tries to find
I-phones replace conkers
Imagination consumed
And simple pleasures like this
could well now be doomed

Yet all is not lost
For the conkers remain
for collecting by me
every year just the same
As now they are used
to keep spiders away
And as happy reminders
of a halcyon day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘Conkers‘ was first published on Jemverse on 16 October 2015

Red II revisited

4 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Autumn 21’ series

Surrounded by Autumn
I saw red and a tear trickled
But no malice here
No discontent
For here beauty’s extravagance
in simplicity lay
Inspiring a tear
for the green of summer
spilled at my feet

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘Red II‘ was first published on Jemverse on 31 October 2015

The evening of the year revisited

3 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Autumn 21’ series

Beauty wears a frown
as Autumn colours fade and die
The Summer’s warmth now distant
as the year it hurries by

November looms. Finality
the year is almost done
Now in the throws of Winter
the Spring has far to come

Yet all is not lost for soon the chill
will see Jack Frost’s return
when beauty’s frown will disappear
and new winter wonders learn

Ice crystals on an early dawn
Sunshine on diamond white
Maybe a covering of snow
in the ethereal light

A smile replaces beauty’s frown
as it sees the autumn’s cheer
with so much wonder round about
the evening of the year

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘The evening of the year‘ was first published on Jemverse on 14 November 2015

Interesting (slight return) revisited

2 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Autumn 21’

Show me a colour, one that describes me
Look at my face – the colour behind my eyes
It cries for the sun and pines away on these rainy days
Curled in a ball and shivering,
It longs for a blue that paints the skies

I have a paintbox here somewhere; it has a bright palette
One I have used many times, mixing over and over
as old and dusty colours
lend their way to young ones bright and new
Blending easily with the marks I have made

There’s one hiding there with a hint of something interesting
I think it’s the one you need; something of the extra mile
Like the spreading rings of raindrops
as they fall to puddles
But there again, perhaps I am imagining things

Come closer. I’ll show you a colour – one that describes me.
Is it blue or a yellow or an autumn gold? Is it mellow green
or amber, or purple or silver or any one of the
hundred thousand colours you have seen? No. It is every one of these
spreading like raindrop rings on water

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘Interesting (slight return‘ was first published on Jemverse on 1 April 2016

Remnant of summer (revisited)

1 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Autumn 21’

On the breath of a morning
I caught in the air
a lingering fragrance
subtle and rare
A remnant of summer
to cherish and hold
and remain with me as
the autumn turns gold

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘Remnant of summer‘ was first published on Jemverse on 26 September 2016

Tri-haiku XXXV (the sun, hooray)

And here for Sunday
the sun still has its hat on
Hip, hip, hip hooray

Golden for autumn
it still shines yellow and warm
Hip, hip, hip hooray

Shining still brightly
it stays and it continues
Hip, hip, hip hooray

©Jemverse

Photo – Emily Rose Croucher

I’ve been writing

I've been writing now for ages
my pen just can't keep still
and I'm certain that will be the case
for more years yet until
I've lost the plot entirely
and the words, dried up, are done
(I'll rue the day) but then accept
that day has finally come

But I'm pleased to say for now at least
I still write every day
as life it still continues
and has plenty more to say
So that's what I use my words for
to paint the life I see
in all its many nuances
as it evolves 'round me

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

A week of adventures

Concluding the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’ (12 of 12)

We've had a week of adventures
but it's good to be home
full of the joy of
the pleasures we've known

We've had seven more days
of summer and sunshine
and although mid-October
the weather's been so kind

We've been swimming in sea
which wasn't that cold
and walking on beaches
so very old

We've been fossil humting
and found some to keep
and every bright morning
have awoken to sheep

We've shared meals we've each cooked
in a farmhouse sublime
in the heart of West Dorset
for a wonderful time

We've seen film sets for winter
and had ice-creams galore
so good was the flavour
we went back for some more

We've eaten chips on the Cob
looking out at the sea
and walked by the river
dogs, children and me

It's been a week of adventures
and we've loved every one
the Crouchers in Dorset
for frolics and fun

©Jemverse

Photo – Jem (of Jemverse) at Whitchurch Canonicorium, Dorset – October 2021 – Emily Rose Croucher