To see where I hide

I have a small corner
with a chair and a cushion
Comfortable, it is a place to hide
albeit in plain sight
It is here that I escape into music
to while away hours lost to rhythm
safe in the knowledge
that this is my place
My sacrosanct
My place to hide
And dream
And breathe

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

A stone’s throw

A stone’s throw from the hillside
and a stone’s throw from the beach
Gosh! I am a lucky fellow
to have this in easy reach

And what’s more I have a river
from the sea into the hills
so if I tire of either
I have that to bring the thrills

This really is a lovely place
this Shoreham by the sea
and there’s no other haven
where I think I’d rather be

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Bliss IV

It was really quite hot
but the colour right there
showed me one thing
that the sun had a care
For it with the rain
when that comes gives us this
a garden that’s lovely
for joy and for bliss

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Leisure Days

Sometimes you need leisure days
when slowing down is good
Cathartic, they restore the soul
so you really know you should
I had one of those yesterday
as the forecast was for rain
and some things they needed doing
and they wouldn’t wait again

As it turned out though the sunshine
came out bright and hot once more
but by then I was quite resolute
for what there lay in store
I found the braddle lurking
(we had lost it for a while)
and there it was right on the shelf
(which gave me pause for smile)

I cleared the shed out by the door
and hung some hooks for stuff
which took me up to lunchtime
when I had had enough
So I found a Badger beer
and sat out in the sun
to write a little poem
as the sorting out was done

By and by I think a wander
is not a bad idea
perhaps down to the waterline
if the coast is clear
And later on if rains they come
as seems likely by the sky
I’ll sit inside with music
and watch it rolling by

For all of this is parcel
to the leisure of the day
when both productive and relaxing
contribute in a way
as sometimes we need leisure days
they really are quite good
for sorting out and finding stuff
Go on! You know you should.

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Affirmation

Spent the day with family and Wolf
out in the bright summer sun
with social distancing observed as you do
for good conversation and fun

It almost felt normal and was for one thing
as we couldn’t get close for a hug
but even for that we’ve developed a thing
which we smile as we do with a shrug

The chance to just sit and natter away
and play with the Wolf for a while
is enough for us here, affirmation of life
to embrace as we do with a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jem with Wolfgang (‘Wolf’) not seen for 3 months – Bezza Croucher

Simple II

I don’t ask for much in life
I’m quite a simple chap
Just music and some lavender
will content me, that’s a fact
So enforcing isolation
when we all must stay at home
doesn’t really bother me
and I’ll not gripe and moan

I’ve books that I can read again
and pens and lots of paper
for recording this adventure
with words about the caper
I’ve music I’ve not listened to
for quite a long time now
Forgotten on the shelf right there
and overlooked somehow

So these things I will rejuvenate
and enjoy them all once more
as whilst things remain uncertain
no-one knows what lies in store
We may find we will need to stay
at home for quite some time
But with all these pleasures waiting
that is absolutely fine

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Written at the end of March 2020 when, in an attempt to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, UK citizens had been asked to stay at home, ‘social distance’ themselves and not go out unless absolutely needed].

Kallax

Kallax from Ikea
gave my music a new home
quite the best arrangement
for my records I have known
as now around eye level
I can see their spines anew
and find what I am looking for
now they’re on full view
New pleasure from the listening
to that lovely vinyl sound
with the Kallax from Ikea
new arrangement I have found

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Rest Days

Sometimes days just don’t quite begin
and befuddled it’s usually best
to hand in the towel and lay down the pen
put one’s feet up and have a good rest

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Easy Reach

I found a stone and threw it
far out into the sea
watched it splash and disappear
here quite contentedly
For this haven is my solace
and fortunate am I
to have a beach to come to
not far from home, close by

I traced an outline with my foot
upon the wetted sand
A shape turned into letters
written large and freely and
as the seventh waves’ momentum
smoothed my canvas on the beach
I breathed a prayer of thank yous
that I live in easy reach

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

As a seagull again

7 of 7 in the Jemverse series ‘Shoreham again’

As a seagull I flew inland from the sea
Up in a yellow-tinged sky
Looking down with the freedom I commanded in flight
as I swooped and I soared up on high

I watched as the river meandered below
Through the town I am proud to call home
with its cluster of houses gathered close to the sea
over routes I have so often flown

And as I flew I gave voice as we seagulls do
shouting out to the winds a loud cheer
close to the ocean in Shoreham-by-Sea
“I am really so pleased that I’m here”

©Jemverse

Photo – Shoreham at low tide by W Standen

Jemverse first posted “As a seagull” on 9 March 2016