Social distance birthdays

It was murky on the Dyke today
and you could not see far
which really was a pity as
the view’s spectacular

You’ll have to take my word for that
because the picture shows you nowt
of what Sussex has to offer
and what the Weald is all about

But our social distance meeting
was just as joyful as they come
to celebrate a birthday
with the way that we do fun

Five of us in both the cars
and Eddie on the phone
the best that we could offer
as we can’t meet up at home

And though murky with cold drizzle
the warmth the meeting brought
gave us all with the special joy
that times like these they ought

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Jab

Got the text on Monday morning
best news I have had
as today in just a little while
I’ll have had the job
And yes, we’ll still be careful
but if you need a thing
to put a smile upon your face
and give you cause to sing
Then this is up there at the top
of all the things to give
Something truly wonderful
allowing all to live

©Jemverse

Photo – Googleimages

I ran and I ran

There was ice in my field
round the tree in the middle
most of it solid
but some of it brittle
But I didn’t mind ‘cos
the ground it was firm
so my paws found their grip
with less squither and squirm
And I ran and I ran
my ears all at random
exploring three acres
in sheer joy abandon
And my humans they laughed
clapping hands with a cheer
for although it was cold
it was Obi’s place here
So I ran round some more
quite as happy as they
as this place is fantastic
What more can I say?

©Jemverse

Me (Obi) running in my field [Photo – Jempics (one of my humans)]

Virtual beers

From Liverpool to Shoreham
quite a distance any day
but in these days of lockdown
seems a million miles away
But that distance is diminished
at a stroke with all good cheer
when we friends WhatsApp together
to share a virtual beer

Yes the long forbidden travel
may keep us distanced yet
but that alone won’t stop us
and we’re at pains to not forget
that a friendship knows no boundary
and distance isn’t one
So we will keep on meeting
til this pandemic’s done

Whetting whistle with the virtual beer
sharing anecdotes on line
raising glasses to our friendship
we look forward to this time
And until that glorious day when we
can share a real one face to face
this on-line time together
is our virtual beering grace

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

For je ne sais quoi moments

I stood still in the meadow with winter around me
a hand raised there to the sun
My shadow still long
tho’ now bright my song
with a feeling that Spring had begun

It was a je ne sais quoi in that moment I felt
a fleeting moment in time
But the promise was there
quite willing to share
and unique as it was wholly mine

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

This field we walk

This field we walk
our saving grace
and for result
we love this place
Changing as
the year goes by
and different things
each time we spy
The joy of seeing
running paws
and flapping ears
to much applauds

And safety too
for here we three
are absolutely
people free
An hour of freedom
walking here
enough to give
us weekly cheer
So really what
more could we crave
when we have this
our joy to save

For it is that
in spades and more
a place we’ve both
come to adore
And Obi too
for this is his
a field to run in
doggy bliss
This field we walk
our saving grace
our hearts are here
within this place

©Jemverse

Photo – Houndie House Field, New Wharf Farm, Horsebridge Common, Sussex, UK – Jempics

For the bringing of joy

A song which brings a tingle
Grayson Perry on TV
two little things in life
which bring joie de vivre to me

Something coloured yellow
Yaki Udon, ginger spice
A really lovely beer
Marmite crisps (they’re very nice)

My little dog called Obi
my wife and children too
Walking in the country
which I often like to do

The beach and sea in Sussex
I have know since just a boy
Our beach hut down at Lancing
all these things will bring me joy

And the bringing of that joy
is a part of life that I
could never really do without
and need it to get by

That joie de vivre, the spark of life
dare I say ‘raison d’être’?
A quintessential part of me
in French, the word ‘soumettre’

An expression of God’s goodness
deep rooted, simple, free
this peace of mind, this happiness
the joy that’s brought to me

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Christmas week VII

7 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

The Christmas week now
today sees its end
with just five days to go
before this year we’ll send

On its way with relief
as really we should
as let’s face it, it’s truly
not been that good

But before it’s sent packing
we still have some December
to fill with good things
for us to remember

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Christmas week VI

6 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the day after Christmas
twenty-sixth of December
and if I say so myself
a one to remember

For this year as we know
has been naff to extreme
the worst one in fact
that the world has yet seen

But despite all the naffness
we have still come together
for the best of good times
we will treasure forever

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Christmas week V

5 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

The week before Christmas
has been and has gone
And it’s Christmas Day now
that this day is upon

We’ve had Bucks Fizz for breakfast
and a walk on the beach
a tradition of ours
as it’s in easy reach

Christmas dinner’s at five
but before that in store
are whoops of delight
and presents galore

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics