Met an old friend at the Lion & Lobster
he retired ages ago
but at the toss of a coin fairly soon I will join
and pensioner days I will know
But I'm not there yet at the Lion & Lobster
I'm still working you see
Though I'm still a great fan and am making a plan
and a pensioner soon I will be
Truth be told this old friend at the Lion & Lobster
is several years younger than I
But though he went too soon we all call the tune
for pensioner days by and by
So I met an old friend at the Lion & Lobster
and as I had something to hear
I listened in well to the words he did tell
as a pensioner I'll be this year
The sun shone on Good Friday morn
as we went walking for some fun
Two sisters, father and a dog
as this good day has just begun
Started in fair Arundel
then through the castle ground
up through the South Stoke country park
where marvellous things were found
Views that took our breath away
with skies of deepest blue
this was a time to revel in
which we all four there knew
As it happened the eight miles we planned
turned into something more
though none of us we minded
with the wondrous things we saw
But the Black Rabbit pub it was
a welcome thing to see
as down the river path we came
footsore and thirsty we
Some fourteen miles of Sussex
for a walk which was the best
though when back home for buns and tea
we welcomed then the rest
Once many years ago a girl and a boy
in the pottery room with some clay
had a play fight, threw some and laughed
fell in love with each other that day
Grew into soulmates, kindred spirits to last
got married in the summer and then
saw many years together as one
and best and inseparable friends
So here in the year of the water rabbit
and forty-five valentines later
the boy to the girl in their sixty-fourth year
knows their love is now only the greater
Took a selfie with Wolfgang (me in the red)
Two chaps on the sofa rear-facing instead
He belongs to my daughter and son-in-law, Lee
but I've known him since birth so he's precious to me
Two good friends together for the selfies one takes
captured there in a moment for memories to make
Today I'm travelling further
since the pandemic started
than I have travelled recently
that pleasure long departed
But later Liverpool I'll see
again and better still
two good friends I have sorely missed
again to see I will
It'll take me six hours on the train
but I have all I need
good music to look forward to
and several books to read
Though many bands we've seen
it's been six years since last we all
were collectively 'the gigsters'
at least, as I recall
But last night for Divine Comedy
the 'Gigsters' were united
once again all six together
as each had been invited
'Divine' was most appropriate
as superlative this evening
the 'Gigsters' doing what we do
for friendship's steadfast meaning
The Open House, a fine March day
with sunshine bright and warm
joined by all the Crouchers
and some others per the norm
For we'll not stand on ceremony
and with open arms spread wide
welcome others to it
as we say this name with pride
Friends and family are important
as you'll often hear us shout
as these extra-special moments
are what real life's all about
Many times in these hours
I have fine honed my craft
some say I am mad
and others I'm daft
but this edge before morning
this whispering time
is perfect for me
for writing a line
when the words like a river
flow from my pen
and the poet embraces
them each like a friend
The light outside intense today
rain threatened but despite
all that I am yet buoyant
now the mornings here from night
A word of explanation is
quite needed there of course
and I am happy to oblige
for feelings of remorse
As today, a Friday morning
a long weekend it starts for me
with reunion long awaited
of two friends flamboyantly
So today I'm in high spirits
with anticipation for
that time come Monday evening
when we shout the loud encore
Brighton's Dome, a place I've missed
whilst Covid's kept us in
for live music's long hiatus
which has bordered on a sin
But though the virus is still with us
freedom has now found a way
to open up the doors again
'Thank Goodness' hear me say!
As last week with good friends I'd not seen
for two long years returned
to Brighton's Dome for a live gig
a treat we all have earned
And Public Service Broadcasting
delivered with aplomb
the music we have missed so much
and waited for so long
A tonic for the soul and more
the music in our veins
Live gigs for entertainment
which I hope now long remains
...all about me and my life in words. I write most days, carrying an ideas book around in which I capture a word snapshot of life around me. So there's a lot here about Sussex and the sea and anything else I see that inspires.
The pictures are mine too. Some taken to match a poem; some poems written to match a pic; others chosen because they work well with words written.
Jemverse is life in words. Hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing...
Jemverse 