Incumbent of grace

The best thing about Christmas
especially this year
above all the frolics
and laughter and cheer
and the fact we have made it
despite the pandemic
testament to the spirit
of people endemic
is the absolute pleasure
we can have here for free
the being together
as one family
all seven right here
at this time in this place
the best present ever
incumbent of grace

©Jemverse

Photo – Ed Croucher (from left to right – Jem, Bezza, Sal, Grace, Lee, Emily & Ed)

Christmas Eve

5 of 5 in the Jemverse series ‘The week before Christmas’

Christmas Eve Friday is here at long last
let the japes and the cheer now begin
for this family together
as it has now forever
is bursting with laughter and grin

For this is our happiness and nothing less
cathartic and wondrous and free
all six here as one
for plenty of fun
to share with this great family

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Twenty-third

4 of 5 in ‘The week before Christmas’ series from Jemverse

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
and everything's ready I'd say
The Crouchers are coming
the house is a-humming
for the absolute best Christmas day

Twenty-third of December, just two days to go
we have food and presents galore
and never say never
we six are together
to show just what Christmas is for

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

More’s the pity

I'll not be going to the pub
this evening with my Bro
which is against my wishes
more's the pity yes, I know

But I'd much sooner keep myself
and loved ones safe from harm
so need to make the sacrifice
and not raise the alarm

For Omicron, the varient
is something I'd prefer
to never meet or entertain
and always to defer

So tonight instead I'm staying in
a pity and a shame
but there'll be times a-plenty
when we can both again

Pop out when we fancy
for a pint down at the pub
The Buckingham in Shoreham
that both us brothers love

©Jemverse

Photo – Yelp.com

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

Happy Place

First time to London
in two years or more
all Crouchers together
for good times galore
So this morning we all
are up with the lark
for coffee and toast
before we embark

We're heading for South Bank
Tate Modern no less
as we've all missed the vibe
we will freely confess
The company jocund
the excitement complete
we can barely contain
and keep still in our seat

Just an hour and a bit
on the train beforehand
when we all meet for breakfast
before the tour grand
And then we'll be back
in that greatest of space
Tate Modern on South Bank
our most happy place

©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

Dorset Adventures

Part 1 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

We're all quite excited
and the bags are all packed
with wellington boots
and scarves, coats and hats
the route is selected
and we all know the way
as we're finally going
on our holiday

It's the first time the Crouchers
have been away all as one
since two years ago
before Covid had come
so as you can imagine
we are buzzing with glee
for this week together
as one family

And both dogs will be there
as well which is better
so we're hoping for sun
but won't mind if it's wetter
as we will have fun
because we'll all be together
for Dorset adventures
whatever the weather

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Mangolicious

Had a Mangolicious Laines
a lovely IPA
fruity and refreshing
at the end of a long day
Eating at the Open House
all my girls and me
and a lovely Wolfgang
for a delicious tea

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Definitions: ‘Mangolicious’ is a fruity IPA from the Brighton brewery ‘Laines’. The ‘Open House’ is a Brighton gastro-pub where one of the main brews on tap is ‘Laines’. ‘Wolfgang’ is my middle daughter’s Patterdale terrier.

Forever eighty-seven

Happy Birthday my Mother
you'd have been ninety today
but forever instead
eighty-seven you'll stay

The time of your passing
though sad was still right
but I still shed a tear
on occasion at night

But on fifth of September
remembering clear
I see that you're smiling
so Happy Birthday, my dear

©Jemverse

Photo – A big eldest son with a little Mum – Sally Croucher