19 February 1974

The knock at the door
I remember it well
though forty-six years have now passed
The vicar right there
with something to share
for a slap in the face that would last

It was anger I felt
with a fist in the air
that my father had left in that way
And I heard not a sound
from that hole in the ground
as I stood on that February day

It’s a picture I have
that years never fade
A boy of fifteen there bereft
Not a word of a lie
quite unable to cry
in spite of the void that was left

But thankfully time
the healer of ills
has mellowed the anger to love
And the man of those years
can now shed the tears
as he thinks of his father above

The slap in the face
has turned to a hug
lingering, precious and mine
and though there’s still sadness
there’s also a gladness
with his memory shared at this time

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[In loving memory of my father – John Alan Croucher – 10/5/34 to 19/2/74]

Sleep II

I’m working on the premise
that something soon will change
and when I’m least expecting it
A move to rearrange
will catch me by surprise one day
and the dove-cote doors will close
cocooning me in slumber
from my head down to my toes

It’s taking its sweet time mind you
so I hope it won’t be long
for this burden is quite wearisome
and I’m not so very strong
But when it comes I’ll tell you
Relief will be the thing
And though I will be miles away
in all my dreams I’ll sing

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Breathe

I saw the end of the tunnel
It shouted my name
So I ran to the light
and found freedom again

And breathing in deep
that heavenly air
I shouted out loud
and laughed without care

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[‘Breathe’ is dedicated to all asthma sufferers]

Brightening

Just a few words is all it takes
to change the way I feel
Escapism? maybe sometimes
but they have the power to heal

Just a few words each morning
finds a way to say
something new to bring a smile
and brighten up my day

©Jemverse (12/14)

Photo – from #Jemverse on instagram, July 2018, Jempics

Filling Summer’s boots

And, as they promised, sunshine
burned in the sky today
A cloudless blue spread overhead
with warmth akin to May

Yet it is still mid-April
several more months still
for warmth to build to sultry heat
and summer’s boots to fill

It lifts the spirit, days like these
mere words cannot portray
the pleasure that a warm day brings
in every single way

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Heavenscent

It possesses a certain
something that soothes
and reminds me of summer
with its calming moods
Just a squeeze of the sachet
when winter is here
or a rub between fingers
when summer is near
brings out that pure fragrance
that, with purest intent
and a small play on words
is to me ‘heavenscent’

©Jemverse

Photo – Lordington Lavender farm, West Sussex, UK – Jempics

Counting the days II

I’m not past my prime
yet sometimes I feel
it takes longer these days
to recover and heal

And I know that the sun
should help me feel well
But sometimes it seems
very much the hard sell

So I think what I need
is a break well away
A bit of a rest and
a nice holiday

And as luck would have it
that’s happening soon
A week’s cruise to Greece
that we booked back in June

Just four weeks away
so we’re counting the days
as we both need a rest
from this pesky malaise

©Jemverse