What is poetry?

A collection of words with juxtaposition
Crafted into some lines
That speak of my life and the things that I see
To capture a few of those times

It’s the nuance they have and the mystery too
that capture imagination
And the joy of finding a stanza to fit
Within gift and my arbitration

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Inspired by the Go Dog Go cafe posting ‘What is Poetry?‘ on 3 August

The beauty of language

I’m happy when writing
It fills me with joy
and it’s done this for ages
(since I was a boy)
I’ve written most days
sometimes just a few lines
to capture the years
the moments and times

It’s the nuance of words
and their juxtaposition
And then fitting them in
to each composition
And the finding of rhyme
to capture my mood
Occasionally cheeky
but never plain rude

It’s the beauty of language
and telling a tale
in just a few lines
each day to regale
So I’ll carry on writing
for it’s something I do
And I’m pretty you’d
do the same, wouldn’t you?

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Contrasts, a big pond and an affinity

As a rule you will find me
surrounded by green
I’m often the nicest place
you’ll have seen

The winter skies are
blue/grey and bright
The reflection of snow
glimmers by night

I am generally quiet
where peace has a place
I encourage contentment
A feeling of grace

The bustling city noise
brings me alive
People quickly moving
trying to thrive

My buildings are ancient
have seen many years
They capture emotion
of trials and cheers

The Bistros, the clubs
and the music joints
I have so many
I’ll not disappoint

The fragrance in my
environs you’ll find
will foster a spirit
that brings peace of mind

The smog and emissions
fill up the air
But for me it brings comfort
that here I share

And most who live here
will be known by a name
To my rural surroundings
attest and acclaim

Lovers to most
and friends to a few
My urban life, fame
and always anew

©Jem Croucher & Nadine Jordan, 2017

Photos – (top): Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, UK [from a postcard owned by the author], (bottom): Marysville, California, USA [from a postcard owned by Cardcow Vintage Postcards]

Contrasts, a big pond & and affinity is a collaboration between Jem Croucher (@ Jemverse) and Nadine Jordan of Marysville, California inspired by the Neighbourhood, created by the Public Blogger.

The backside of the night

At the backside of the night
I gave in, got up and then
tippy-toeing down the stairs
grabbed my book and pen

At the backside of the night
I smiled as morning came
A band of gold out to the east
with poetry there again

At the backside of the night
I laid my pen to rest
and thanked it for persistence
for these times are often best

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Pingbacks to The Reluctant Poet for the encouragement and to Sailor Poet (and TBOTN) for the inspiration.

Writing at night

In the small hours when
silence is my company
And my pen scribbles words
as they flow fancy free
The verse and the rhyme
to the page come with ease
So this is the time that
the poet will seize

My craft in the making
no distraction to cast
The silence consuming
the prose firm and fast
These are moments to cherish
to have and to hold
The words captured here
more precious than gold

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

The Blank Page

Awoke to a new day sunrise
like a blank page in a book
And with my pen there poised and ready
paused for a lingering look

This week there’ll be new words written
though they’re a mystery right now
But I’ll know them each as they appear
and reach my page somehow

It’ll be five days in the waiting though
before you, the reader, share
as I’m off to Cardiff down in Wales
and will be out of contact there

A week away from e-type things
but it’s good to have a rest
And it will not stop the writing
so it’s all then for the best!

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Sorry – but the next Jemverse posting won’t now be until Saturday 18 March]

A journey begun

I try to write a poem every single day
Sparing time for words about working or just play
About eating stuff or sleeping or drinking cups of tea
Or listening to music or walking by the sea

Sometimes I can’t find a pen (at least one that I like)
which is a bit frustrating and unhelpful to my psych
For writing is a part of me and the journey I’ve begun
So I need to get some verses out before a day is done

I’ve said before that this can be about ‘most anything
For I have the knack it seems to make words come alive and sing
So even if the subject is one verging on the boring
The way I’ll craft the words will keep the reader there from snoring

So I’ll just keep on writing and publishing each day
And I know that folk will join me for the journey on the way
They’ll share a little, read some words, enjoy a verse or two
And mention this is passing which will bring it back to you

So the circle replicates itself on the journey we’ve begun
One that tells of life in words, of ‘joie de vivre’ and fun
Wordsmithery in crafted words from me ‘most every day
Partnered by the readers who’ve joined me on the way

©Jemverse