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

Fickle weather

Fickle this weather
this grey time of year
one day it is icy
the next day it's clear
almost quite balmy
first thing today
took me by surprise
after chill yesterday
So I'm never quite sure
if long johns I'll need
or a raincoat or shorts
and sunshades indeed
I'll never complain 
though I don't like the cold
something quite common
for those getting old
But sometimes I wish
it would make up its mind
this weather so fickle
as that would be kind

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Icing days

First hard frost I've seen this year
with icing on the cars
Jack Frost has called here overnight
beneath the twinkling stars
and painted white all that he sees
on windows and on grass
for wonder come the break of day
when shivering humans pass

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

One IV

4 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months V’ series

First of December
the wreaths are all made
Christmas cushions are out
and November it fades
Tonight all our offspring
will in the attic find things
to adorn, decorate
as the house around sings
I'll dust off the CDs
not played for a year
and join with loud voice
to sing and bring cheer
And as fairy lights glow
we'll settle down as we do
to watch films all together
and look forward to Yule
For though there is more
that December brings here
it's mainly for Christmas
that we hold it dear

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Seasons songs

Golden my streets
but it won't be for long
for though sweet are my words
quite short is my song
They look lovely right now
when the sunshine is bright
but lacklustre in rain
and leaden at night

And as winter creeps in
my songs peter out
for I run out of lyrics
with gusto to shout
and my golden turns grey
as the music it dies
for instead of the carpet
hard frost often lies

But there's always a promise
of new music to come
and though golden my fade
when autumn is done
Winter's fine voice
waits there in the wings
and it won't be too long
'til her new song she sings

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Garden fade

I stole some summer's magic
kept it back a while to hold
to rekindle momentarily at least
these days when fades the gold

All too soon I'll be forgotten
as lacklustre my waste is laid
and the sun will stay hidden
til come the winters' fade

I'm resigned of course, it happens
every year around this time
as to slumber once more I return
and with all that I am fine

As underneath there's promise
hidden now but all too soon
returning me to glory
as you will see next June

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Home alone

Today I'm here and home alone
'Cos Harry Potter's not my thing
at least not live performance
with encouragement to sing

'Cos that's where all my family
have gone today save me
swanning off to London
so I have the day quite free

Yes, there will be music
a no brainer there, and games
and perhaps a little snooze
as the forecast is for rain

Later on a movie of my choice
I'll maybe watch and view
with nibbles and a jar of ale
filled with my favourite brew

And Obi-wan-Kinobi
our little dog and me
will spend this day when home alone
in perfect company

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Our field

So many times
we've both walked this field
with our little dog, Obi
in the heart of the Weald
Just north of Steyning
on the Partridge Green road
it's been here our haven
and many times strode

Each time we come here
something different we see
whilst Obi does running
quite safe and quite free
and we never grow weary
despite knowing it well
as it's wholesome and lovely
which these words I think tell

©Jemverse

Photo – Seven Tree Field – Jempics

The whole I am

Some weeks you just need one
to recharge your soul
for relaxation and rest
and to get you back whole
For when you keep going
bits drop off and fall
and though gradual a process
you're not quite your all

So sometimes a recharge
is the right call to make
to top up the batteries
with respite to take
and you know it makes sense
and is no fake or sham
as the evidence there
is the whole you, I am

©Jemverse

Photo – Gracey Croucher of Emily Rose Croucher in the woods. I chose this one to accompany my words as it sums up to me what ‘free spirit’ and the ‘I am’ is all about. Sometimes it’s good to simply have ‘me’ time.

The Treasure Party

Enriched I am carried
as if on a cloud
to this place of fulfilment
my head duly bowed
For it is with all honour
and privilege here
that I share in this glory
at this time of year

So in luxury carried
to this opulent place
I am full of awe
at receipt of this grace
For it is quite purely
at nature's behest
that I am invited
as a valued guest

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics