Around a table with Cluedo and Red Leicester cheese
with good conversation, precious days these
Laughter and merriment the six of us here
these are the days for which we all cheer
As it's all about family and closeness together
for the bad times and good, the known and whatever
For we all are as one, best of friends and of kin
arms linked with a smile through the thick and the thin
Sunshine returned, it's cooler now
but the beach beckoned silent to me
and I heard its voice and quickened to that
with a wander down to the sea
Catching again the glimmer out there
as the sun on the water it shone
reminded me that these moments in time
need capturing lest they are gone
So I wandered a while on the shore with my friend
as the shingle crunched under my feet
watching the waves as out there they danced
at one with the world and complete
For it's there that I'm always the best I can be
I'm content in my happy place here
just watching the ocean, salt in the air
unbridled exuberance of cheer
October shadow, Obi's field
in the heart of Sussex Weald
barely was the warmth concealed
in the autumn now
Walked a mile around the place
felt again familiar grace
with the sunshine on my face
in the autumn now
Obi ran, he always does
round in circles there because
this is how he gets his buzz
in the autumn now
Spent up there our usual hour
underneath the oaken bower
turning trees above us tower
in the autumn now
Had ten days last month for wonderful things
to all bring a joy and pull at heartstrings
Places to visit and things to see there
taking photos to later re-live and re-share
Ten days of staycation what more could I need
when living in Sussex for this life that I lead?
As Sussex has all the 'joie de vivre' I desire
with its people and places and things I admire
So whenever a moment affords this release
I'm happy in Sussex as at home I find peace
At Stopham Bridge, late summer
with cool waters down below
as the Arun slowly trickles
on a turning tide quite slow
Sitting on the decking of the
White Hart across the way
this view is quite breathtaking
on this peaceful summer day
Tranquil here the setting
this place amongst the best
of my favourites in Sussex
where I'll always come to rest
Sat down at the allotment
in late summer sun
with a welcome can of ale
the weeding here all done
The no dog plots are looking good
and our labour is well spent
as everything is looking great
almost as if with intent
Sal is down there painting
watercolours as she does
in a shady spot, but me
in full sunshine here because
that's what I like to do
we each have different ways
celebrating our enjoyment
of just being in this place
Listening to music, anything will mostly do
But my spine will always tingle with some solid 12-bar blues
Lots of things bring happiness, this is just for starters
And mostly not a day goes by without finding what I'm after
In my solace and respite
with the sun streaming in
I'm at home in my room
as you'll see from my grin
for all that is in here
is here to bring joy
with things I've collected
since I was a boy
It's here that I write
and here that I play
be it music or games
sitting here day by day
It brings 'joie de vivre'
my raison d'être
for all inspiration
in life that I share
In my garden at nightfall
when the sun has just set
and the heat of the day still remains
I find solace and respite
as on my bench with repose
I appreciate all of life's gains
For here is a moment
which is all of my own
precious like treasure, replete
and as the light of the day
is enveloped by night
congenital here, I'm complete
10 of 12 in the Jemverse summer 22 series ‘Melting Days’
In fields of long summers explored as a man
I still have the fun 'cos I know that I can
For as long as the sun shines in blue of the sky
You'll find me out there with a satisfied sigh
...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...