First IV

4 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series

December is here and as the first arrives
I am content for Christmas
to make its annual entrance
November’s too early or course
But this year there were ads in October
which borders on a step too far.
Yet today with a house full of adults remembering childhood
dusty boxes from dark attics
open to reveal their treasures
And sparkle brings glow as festive spirit blossoms into joy

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham’s Christmas sheep – Jempics

After the small hours

After the small hours we awaken
and with Wolfgang to Alcampo
Parking in our usual space, he leads the way
for he knows this place well
with coffee and conversation and
dog biscuits in a bowl by the bar
We break fasting later, laugh
and smile and cry and hug
before charity shop browsing
to part with small coppers
An old book for me, green glass for Sal
and a cute little piggy bank
with a cork stop nose I was
told not to buy but still did
This is Sunday loveliness spent
with extended family filling
moments to fill a life and cherish

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[‘Wolfgang’ is my daughter and partner’s 1-year old Patterdale Terrier; ‘Alcampo’ is a gastropub in North Brighton, East Sussex, UK; the piggy bank pig I was told not to buy but still did now has pride of place in my music/writing/games room]

Perfect bliss

The autumn carpet
starts to lay
on this fine Lincoln
autumn day
Gold beneath
my crunching feet
as I go walking
life is sweet

The calm, the solitude
the peace
reflected by
this visual feast
And I am thankful
to see this
Not far I think
from perfect bliss

©Jemverse

Photo – autumn gold falling – Lawress Hall – Lincoln – October 2019 – Jempics

Dubrovnik Divine

2 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse

A really fitting ending
to what has been a perfect day
and as golden sun sinks in the west
Dubrovnik has its say

We wandered ‘neath the city walls
enjoying lovely heat
had cold beers and lovely
giant ice-creams in the street

We discovered lovely places
we had not found before
and took photos to remember
all the wonders that we saw

Then back on board the Celebration
we sat and watched the view
as the sunset cast a golden glow
and happiness we knew

©Jemverse

Photo – Dubrovnik sunset from deck 6 of the Marella Celebration – Jempics

[‘Dubrovnik Divine’ is the second of twelve poems capturing our autumn 2019 ‘Adriatic Affair’ cruise aboard the Marella Celebration. From 24 through 31 October we visited…
24/10 – Dubrovnik, Croatia (‘Finding Summer’ (02/11) and ‘Dubrovnik Divine’ (03/11))
25/10 – Hvar, Croatia (‘Hvar’ (04/11) and ‘Hoorah for Hvar’ (05/11))
26/10 – Ancona, Italy (‘Ancona Encore’ (06/11) and ‘Ancona II’ (07/11))
27/10 – Koper, Slovenia (‘Koper’ (08/11))
28/10 – Venice, Italy (‘Venice (touch & go)’ (09/11) and ‘Venice II’ (10/11))
29/10 – Rijeka, Croatia (‘Rijeka’ (11/11)), and
30/10 – Split, Croatia (‘An unexpected tricycle ride’ (12/11) and ‘Split II’ (13/11))
…before sailing back into Dubrovnik for the flight home on the 31st]

Towing the line

I’m sitting in the garden
the sunshine’s nice and warm
Think perhaps I’ll stay a while
‘Cos this is what it’s for

Thought a little earlier
that I might work a while
tidying up the garden
but the sunshine gave a smile

Said that I would rather
sit down and with a beer
chill out and soak up all the rays
whilst I was sitting here

And as I’m not one to argue
when the argument is strong
I sat right down and grabbed a beer
and played there right along

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Tri-haiku XXII (drifting)

The joy of being
on holiday and at ease
Days pass slowly by

As relaxation
finds me in my element
Cock-a-hoop abounds

Merging together
the days pass without a care
And find me drifting

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Tri-haiku is a Jemverse thing; triplets of haiku strung together to a theme. The old English phrase ‘cock-a-hoop’ originates from sometime in the 14th century; it means to be ecstatically happy]

To end a perfect day

To end a perfect day
we walked along the beach
our small dog running free and proud
the sea in easy reach
The shadow of the sun
spread gold across the sky
A fitting end to perfect day
as together we strolled by

©Jemverse

Photo – Obi on West Beach, Shoreham, Sussex – Jempics