Drusillas

We went down to Drusillas
for our anniversary
four of us this time, Bezza
Sally, Grace and me
There were parties of schoolchildren
but we made an escape bid
and marched on up ahead of them
so from the masses hid

Sal and I as senior citizens
got cheaper entry too
First time to take advantage
just for asking, as you do
And we made sure that we got there
when it opened on the dot
As that’s always best on days like this
especially when it’s hot

We saw marmosets and meercats
and penguins and anteaters
and goats and little horses
beavers, otters and some cheetahs
Capybara munching breakfast
Monkeys resting on their knees
some really laid back lemurs
and coatis climbing trees

It really was a special day
and we’re really pleased we came
As Drusillas is fantastic
and never quite the same
There’s always something different
to capture imagination
so it’s somewhere we return to
as it holds such fascination.

©Jemverse

Photo – laid back black lemur – Drusillas zoo park, Alfriston, Sussex – Jempics

 

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Farewell but not goodbye

Today we say farewell to you
but definitely not goodbye
For some day we will meet again
when comes the day we die

So here’s to you our Mother dear
we’ll miss you, that’s the truth
But you are in a better place
A smiling John and Ruth

Say hello to Dad for me
and sing with us a while
on this your celebration day
as I try my best to smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Ruth Eunice Shrimpton (was Croucher, nee Dainton) – 5 September 1931 to 20 May 2019 – published on the day of her life celebration – Friday 14 June 2019 – Jempics

The red and the gold

The sunset is over
the fading has passed
the evening slip-slides away
We’ve said our goodbyes
and shared in the peace
that we saw at the end of your day

The red and the gold
have flooded the sky
The evening of life is now done
We’ve each kissed your head
and held your sweet hand
as the end of your life has now come

But as I left he smiled
and tipped me a wink
The angel there at the door
Whispered a greeting
said it was time
That this was what you’d waited for

‘She’s in good hands’ he said
‘And loving it now’
‘With a jump and a dance and a shout’
‘Shed a tear by all means’
‘But remember that this’
‘Is really what living’s about’

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Written on the day my Mother – Ruth Eunice Shrimpton – passed; 20 May 2019].

A 60th tale

A day out in Lewes
with the girls in the sun
Browsing antique shops
and all having fun
Here for Sal’s sixtieth
Celebrations start here
Two months for us all
in this special year

We’ve had olives and coffee
at ‘Bills’ for a treat
and later ‘The Snowdrop’
for a beer sounds sweet
We’ve danced in the square
with a man on a flute
and paused on the bridge
watching one with a lute

We’re brought things for the garden
and stationary too
and second-hand clothes
of course, as you do
And best thing of all
and the reason we came
was Cliffe High Street antiques
for some presents again

Three tall iron sculptures
for the garden outside
pre-rusted for us
with iron oxide
And now that we’re done
with Lewes behind
we head back to Brighton
with dinner in mind

Bangers and mash
in the pub on the hill
With plenty of choice
’til we’ve had our fill
An excellent day
it has been for us all
With memories made
we will oft now recall

And the star of the show
for our own Sally Ann
her sixtieth birthday
has been rather grand
Precious these are
these family days
with memories to treasure
in so many ways

©Jemverse

Photo – the three iron garden sculptures we brought at Cliffe High Street antiques centre in Lewes on 16th May 2019, in situ – Jempics

Heaven, waiting, sings

It’s peaceful here, these darkened rooms
this ward, this evening hour
A deepened sleep. Breath in, breath out
from this still fading flower

Autumn’s come to this long life
as here we sit and wait
knowing that the time is close
The hour now is late

Breath in, breath out. A comfort here
We listen and we hear
Feeling peaceful, resolute
there falls a passing tear

Earlier we shared a prayer
the five of us as one
on this an evening of a day
to one of us now come

Breath in, breath out. The comfort stays
yet, waiting in the wings
the loved ones who have passed before
as heaven, waiting, sings

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

In the garden with Chris

Sunday in the garden
with jazz and sun and beer
And family, conversation
pavlova and good cheer
Laughter on the Springtime air
from here this afternoon
We’ve been out since breakfast
and evening’s coming soon
But Chris Barber and his clarinet
still has a voice to hear
so we’ll all stay a little while
and have another beer

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Jumping Patterdales

Walking on the riverbank
with a jumping Patterdale
On a sunday afternoon
with a waggy tail
He’s happy to be there
as are we this lovely day
The old Tollbridge behind us
for a wander and a play

Good conversation flowing
enjoying being here
in each other’s company
with plenty of good cheer
There’s lots to see around here
This place has that in spades
and the marvellous thing about it
is the magic never fades

©Jemverse

Photo – the river Adur at Shoreham, West Sussex – old Tollbridge to rear – Jempics