Tipple (reprise)

3 of 10 in the ‘Music II’ series from Jemverse

In these fragile days of Autumn
When I am flustered by strong gales
There’s something to look forward to
The partaking of fine ales

A tipple of an evening
When the weather is like this
Gives a little taste of summer
With its happiness and bliss

Just one is quite sufficient
Though sometimes I might have two
That, and a bit of music
Takes the edge off feeling blue

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

‘Tipple‘ was originally posted to Jemverse in October 2014

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

Exuberance

And so into the woodland trail
for an exuberance of gold
this treasure of abundance
now the year is getting old

For times like these I live and breathe
and even though it's chill
my winter coat and long johns
will ensure I catch no ill

Fare more beside this treasure trail
quite free there to partake
is something quite essential
at this time of year to make

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

One III

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

I can't quite believe November is here
the year has sped by so fast
the Spring and the Summer merged into one
with a warmth we all hope will last
Not going to happen for much longer I fear
as Winter waits in the wings
and Jack Frost's remembered his repertoire
with the cold stuff all of that brings
But for now with green just starting to turn
and the sun still strong in the sky
I'll cling to the vestige of summer still here
and not wish the Autumn rush by

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[The ’12 months V’ series is the fifth Jemverse annual collection of those written for the first day of every month throughout each year].

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

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