On this September morning
sunshine greeted me again
and as this could be the summer's swansong
no one could lay the blame
if today instead of working
to the beach I went instead
to seize the opportunity
and by my heart be led
So that's what I resolved to do
'no brainer' some would say
as it's not often in September
that it's as hot as this today
Ne'r a cloud above in sight
the sky the deepest blue
with a breeze from early summer
I'd forgotten that I knew
And of course I found a hagstone
for my collection of such things
another treasure from the place
that pulls at my heartstrings
This beach, this perfect haven
here in Sussex by the sea
which at the summer's swansong
is the only place to be
Photo – Jempics (a ‘hagstone’ is found pebble with a natural hole right through, sculpted by the sea). I have not left a Sussex beach without at least one for as long as I can remember. So I have a great many hagstones now!
Happy Birthday my Mother
you'd have been ninety today
but forever instead
eighty-seven you'll stay
The time of your passing
though sad was still right
but I still shed a tear
on occasion at night
But on fifth of September
remembering clear
I see that you're smiling
so Happy Birthday, my dear
Yes I know that I've written
many times here before
of this place on the beach
and I suspect there'll be more
but I make no apologies
for that fact here
as this place is a haven
and always brings cheer
A beach full of shingle
beside the blue sea
a most English of channel
and perfect for me
Long days have I spent here
in the summer sun
and many more will I still
until I am done
And that's a long time
many more years I trust
for coming down to the beach
as I know that I must
for as long as I'm mobile
this place it will be
my haven exquisite
so close to the sea
I'm on the beach again
surprising I'd say
as it's lovely down here
on this fine summer day
and although it's a weekday
you'd have thought that some might
venture down to the beach
to enjoy the sunlight
Not that I'm bothered
for it's great here for me
on a deserted beach
right next to the sea
And they are the ones
missing out on all this
whilst I lap it up
and revel in the bliss
In my room
I have my stuff
and it is lovely
here because
it's somewhere I
can come and play
at any time
on any day
sometimes a game
or music here
or writing poems
to bring me cheer
and my small dog
young 'Obi' there
will safely snooze
and with me share
this little room
where I can come
and be myself
and have some fun
In Lewes on the river path
we walked beside the Ouse
watched it flow in from the sea
meandering to use
That aged water, aged flow
o'er many years has seen
and where along its grassy banks
many souls have been
In Lewes Wolfgang, Sal and I
in spite of summer rain
walked up beside the river
as we are back here again
That aged water, aged flow
cathartic here today
releasing the endorphins
in every single way
Went to a birthday party
in Surrey, Saturday night
took us a while to get there
but that was quite alright
Loud cheers when we got there
the celebrations had begun
so we hurried there to join them
so we'd not miss out the fun
And we found the cheers had purpose
for the birthday and for now
as my brother had got married
on his birthday with a vow
Charles and Geoff now family proper
overjoyed does not come close
celebrating birthday marriage
on this day to juxtapose
I am a proud and elder brother
this is the best news in a while
exuberant jubilation
evident within my smile
I came down to the beach
after a long and arduous day
the sunshine still quite high
and quite hot still I would say
I walked the four miles there
with my AirPods in my ears
listening to Underworld
as I have done for years
And when an hour later
at the beach hut I hold dear
I cracked open a bottle
for a welcome cooling beer
Then I sat down in the sunshine
as is dropped down in the west
relishing the warmth
at this time of day, the best
The sky was cloudless blue
and the sea reflected there
the wonder of the summer
late July gave us to share
Sometimes a biplane
will fly overhead
some of them yellow
and some of them red
Sometimes a seagull
will call on the breeze
as I sit in the sunshine
its warmth on my knees
Sometimes the sea
I will many hours view
for this vista has charm
and always feels new
Sometimes this beach hut
we've had now for years
will pull at heartstrings
and reduce me to tears
Sometimes I ponder
when pensive of mind
that this life is good
and for me very kind
And sometimes these words
I will craft into rhyme
to read and reflect
on from time to time
Soul searchings' sometimes painful
as thoughts they come and go
but if the end result is such
to bring a warming glow
then you've done yourself a favour
as soulshine's what you need
to bring about a joie de vivre
and happiness indeed
...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...
