Oasis

Sat in St Nicholas’ churchyard
high up on the hill
overlooking Brighton
with all around me still

Sipped a bold, strong coffee
the sunshine breaking through
with history around me
which from my past I knew

There’s change around about of course
new buildings stark and cold
yet Brighton’s essence here remains
quintessentially old

A haven with a tranquil peace
God’s hand is present here
A little bit of heaven
with the bustling city near

©Jemverse

Photo – St Nicholas’ Churchyard, Brighton, East Sussex, UK (founded 1091) – Jempics

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Eight miles

Eight miles took us past the Ring
where the view as ever was
breathtaking in the sunshine
on the South Downs here because
(and I know that some will argue)
but this is heaven here on earth
A place that God has smiled upon
and with riches given worth

And that gift was on this lovely day
not lost on us as we
trod these eight familiar miles
with hearts of joy and glee

©Jemverse

Photo – Sussex from Chanctonbury Ring, South Downs, UK – Jempics

Easter smiled

Shadow of a crown of thorns
upon there on the wall
Contrasted in the brightness
sweetest thing I saw

Easter in reflection
The people bowed and prayed
Silence as the Spirit moved
His presence there portrayed

And kneeling in the quiet
the sun became the Son
as Easter with forgiveness
smiled on everyone

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Alf the angels’ teaboy

Alf the angels’ teaboy
took pride in what he did
He always warmed the teapot
never once left off the lid
He used just the right amount of milk
in the cup first, such was his ilk
and mopped up every drop he spilt
This was his lot in life

Alf the angels’ teaboy
was happy in his work
Always there with cups of tea
and never one to shirk
But as the angels came and went
on all their glorious missions sent
Sometimes a little tear was spent
About his lot in life

Alf the angels’ teaboy
had a secret bucket list
His single entry never told
but often on it wished
Just one chance to see the light
and share part of the glory bright
that only shines on Christmas night
To complete his lot in life

Alf the angels’ teaboy
arranged some biscuits on a plate
to accompany his famous tea
close to Heaven’s Gate
But on this day something had changed
An important memo was exchanged
and angel rotas re-arranged
to change a lot in life

Alf the angels’ teaboy
felt tears roll down his cheek
Standing there with everyone
and feeling very meek
The angels with the Heavenly Throng
raised voices in triumphant song
and smiled as Alf joined in along
for this, his lot in life

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Written for the Poet’s Corner Christmas poetry challenge 2016

Reflection

Shadow of a crown of thorns
high up on the wall
held there in a flickering light
sweetest thing I saw
Around me people quietly prayed
the Spirit, moving, felt
a whispered word, a silent prayer
shared as people knelt

Akin there to a healing light
flickering on the wall
held silent by a shadow
beckoning a call
The shadow of a crown of thorns
up there in plain sight
here on this Good Friday
reflecting what is right

©Jemverse

Lost, found and kept

Lost to shouting seas
Found with murmuring ones
Kept upon a whisper
When the silence comes

Snatched when anger’s present
Gathered when it’s calm
Shared upon a whisper
When words become my psalm

©Jemverse

Lost Words; Found Words: Kept Words

Counting my blessings

Started counting my blessings
but the task it is tough
Soon ran out of fingers
two hands not enough
One for each friend
and there are many of those
Far more than my fingers
and even my toes

There are family members
my children and wife
The list it is endless
so full is my life
There’s the beach and the sea
the hills and the river
made in fair Sussex country
by God the great giver

There’s my two lovely dogs
my garden and home
Down in Shoreham-by-Sea
Where I oft like to roam
There’s my music collection
and music itself
Laughter and living and
reasonable health

I have so many blessings
the task’s hard to surmount
My list’s virtually endless
so I’ve given up with the count
But I’ll tell you one thing
and you can have this for free
All blessings are treasures
That’s a lesson from me

©Jemverse