Roofing & Sparks

Bang! Crash! Wallop! Bang!
the Sparks is in the hall
Slates are coming off the roof
Rubble's in the wall
New lights are going up around
The chimney's almost down
noise is almost everywhere
with all this building sound
It feels almost chaotic
yet by the ending of the day
A new roof will be up there
and we'll have light to shine the way

©Jemverse

Slipped Discs

A new record shop for Shoreham
hip hip hip hooray!
Not had a dedicated one right here
since the Atomic days
'Slipped Discs' right on the High Street
Vinyl heaven, I'll be there
to play on my new turntable
for pleasure and to share

©Jemverse

[Slipped Discs opens early April in time for ‘Record Store Day’ on the 20th]

Roof

The tall chimney stood
for a hundred plus years
but when it came down
there weren't any tears
for it had ceased function
ages ago
and was now letting water
seep in below

So we made the decision
and down it all came
to make things all good
and leakproof again
It was actually better
to tell you the truth
as into the bargain
we got a new roof

Yes, money was needed
but at the end of the day
the value now added
a no brainer in play
And if in the future
we decide to move on
a new roof will help
and be relied upon

©Jemverse

Comfort & Safety

I am back in my recliner
it's the safest place to be
that is until I'm better
and my veins are blood clot free

For here I can find comfort
during day and through the night
and there's very little chance
of things here to bring a fright

Everything is close at hand
drinks, pens and paper too
together with my mobile
in case I need to speak to you

I've even got my music
so this is the perfect place
to remain for the near future
its safe comfort to embrace

©Jemverse

Oodles of pleasure

So I'm building a Falcon, it's taking a while
but it's bringing me joy and a definite smile
Thirty plus hours it has taken so far
but it's now taking shape and is spectacular
The Ultimate Collectors Edition, so quite big
so I'm pleased that it came with a thingamajig
as, though I'm good with instructions, it's tricky sometimes
so every once in a while an error I'll find
But it's fun and it's something with no little measure
that keeps me here busy with oodles of pleasure

©Jemverse

Photo – the build after stage 5 of 19 – Jempics

From my room

I've sat inside here in my room
most times in joy, but rarely gloom
I've looked outside and seen the sun
and marvelled at the things it's done
I've seen the rain lash pavements rare
and watched the people passing there
Sometimes I've written, poet's voice
as there is much here to rejoice
And other times I've simply gazed
and never cease to be amazed
that from a simple window here
so much transpires and quite so near
Life from this window to the world
revealed to me as it's unfurled
So never will I tire or moan
for these times are the best I've known

©Jemverse

Photo Jempics

Lavender by the wall III

My hardy little lavender
there, growing by the wall
Still a pleasure with surprise
that it is there at all
Purple flowers abundant
it gets bigger every year
So I'm content to let it be
as it just brings me cheer

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Tackling the jungle

Enough's enough so here we go
into the jungle at the rear
aka our back garden which
is really overdue a clear

We've rather let it go of late
and with springtime zest it's grown
into an erstwhile jungle
from the garden we have known

But armed with determination
and some shears we will reclaim
it back from something overgrown
to a garden once again

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Ancient yet familiar

No. 17 in the ‘Past to Present’ series

From the Saltings 'cross old oyster beds
the town of Shoreham lay
steeped in ancient history
and yet familiar today

The Norfolk (then suspension) bridge
to fore of course long gone
and the brewery chimneys now replaced
by newer builds upon

The High Street of the new town
with St Mary's to the rear
a town that lives in history
which we all hold so dear

©Jemverse

[Photo – from a postcard in the author’s collection – circa. 1912. Shoreham-by-Sea viewed from ‘The Saltings’ bank of what is now the new Mackley’s sea defence wall adjacent to the Houseboat community on the river Adur; Shoreham Beach side]

Where the heart is

I travelled long the length of England
stayed away for several days
and then for several hours found
a path back to Southern ways

As home is where the heart is
so it's good to get back there
even though these travels are
something to love and share

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics