Repurposed Llama

Repurposed my lighty-up llama

as his battery gave up the ghost

and as he needed to have a purpose in life

I made him a spider plant host

So now he stands proud in the garden

but instead of glowing at night

instead he will proudly grow spiders

and look his best in the light

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

A visit to the dark side

We ventured to the dark side

it’s been well past a year

but with face-masks and some caution

we felt the coast was clear

…

We’d forgotten quite how big it was

miles of shiny treasures

but then these massive superstores

don’t do things by half measures

…

We spent much more than usual

but it was a pleasure to peruse

exploring all the aisles

for the things we need and use

…

And when we’d finally finished

our legs felt numb and sore

from all the miles of walking

we did when in the store

…

But a venture to the dark side

is worth it every time

and as we come out of lockdown

it is, we feel the time

…

Having said that, it is likely

that another year will slide

before we venture back again

to sample the dark side

…

Local traders win the day

and closer by behest

we’d far prefer to shop by them

for local interest

©Jemverse

Photo – Tesco’s, Holmbush, Shoreham (the ‘dark side’) – Alamy.com

Sheep convention

The sheep had a convention
in the upper field today
I suspect grass was the subject
or some munching anyway
And there were clearly some ringleaders
as they moved around a lot
their noses buried in the grass
from spot to luscious spot

And by and by they made their way
to the place the gate once was
and to the one all followed through
as it made sense because
there within the lower field
as all good sheep will know
the grass is that much greener
so that’s where they did go

Later on although I think
the naughty step for sheep
will see some action when the shepherd
pops by for a peep
Because I know that this convention
was never meant to stray
there into the lower field
on this cold winter’s day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Snow and me

It wasn’t very nice
in my field this week you know
Cos my paws felt very cold
in some white stuff they call snow

I had a double layer
(my red jumper and a coat)
but my paws still feel the cold
(I’m just saying, make a note)

Of course I’d never let them know
Cos this place it is the best
as I can get to run around
for ages without rest

It’s muddy now and squelchy
but the paths I find are dry
and my humans never seem to mind
as I go running by

But this cold stuff takes the biscuit
and I’m not keen I’ll have you know
even though my humans
seem to really love the snow

©Jemverse

Photo – snow on ‘Obi’s field’ – Jempics

Sussex snows

I said no snow
in Sussex fell
but spoke too soon
(how could I tell)?
the temperature
would fall so quick
and the isobars
take such a dip
allowing white stuff
here to fall
at beckon to
the winter’s call
But really we had
better hurry
as small the flakes
and brief the flurry
It’s petering out
here as I speak
outside my window
as I peek
and is it settling?
no it’s not
‘Cos here in Sussex
it’s too hot
Exaggeration?
perhaps a bit
but the snow is
having none of it

But we will still
whilst it is here
run round outside
with laughs and cheer
tongue stuck out
to taste a flake
we’ll seize the moment
here to take
and run around
as Sussex snows
before it stops
and off it goes

©Jemverse

Photo – ‘Yes there is snow (if you look quite hard)! – Jempics

Oranges

Vibrant these oranges
capture the light
looking lovely for photos
and my appetite
But for this still life
I have to confess
that the picture you see
is one orange less

As just out of shot
on the side to left field
the evidence lay
with fresh orange peel
Irresistible they
for both camera and eating
so this picture you see
will be short, sweet and fleeting

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

A sheep’s lot

A sheep looking chilly
there in the field
caught my eye when just passing
in the Sussex Weald

Forlorn it stood pleading
with a look it its eye
“Could it come with me?”
as I wandered by

Alas though much as
jocund company it
would no doubt have given
me there in a bit

I had to say ‘no’
as it would not be right
for a sheep to come walking
with me in plain sight

So I bade it farewell
said it had to be patient
sheep are meant to be there
and not bee complacent

at least not enough to
when perchance I should come
to pass by its field
with some promise of fun

But I smiled as I said this
and gave it a wave
which I’m sure it acknowledged
with the look that it gave

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

And…relax!

Yesterday come teatime
as today I can now speak
I finished what can only
be described as a long week
For I’d done my level best
as each day came and went
and failed most days as longer
hours on each I’d spent
But now I can relax
in a host of different ways
as now I am on leave
for at least the next six days

©Jemverse

Photo – calming seas – Jempics

Equilibrium (aka ‘Face Planting’)

Past sixty equilibrium
Is not what it once was
As balance sometimes fails
When you’re standing still because
Just the other afternoon
I found myself laid flat
When toppling from a bicycle
I’d stopped on, that’s a fact
Yes, it was parked and stationary
When my leg I swung it over
But then my balance failed
And I face-planted the clover
No reason for this mishap
It was a really silly thing
And don’t I know it now
Because the grazes really sting
A lesson for us seniors
Don’t take cycling for granted
That way you will avoid the pain
Of roads you have face-planted

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

 

The Visitor II

We had a little visitor
who startled us last night
there behind the cupboard glass
perched and in plain sight
A little chap, brown and petite
his presence now declared
though how he found his way in there
was not something he shared

Suffice to say that Obi
our Jack Russell/Dachshund cross
was not exactly happy
at his being there because
he barked and barked and barked some more
with angry doggy words
“Get out of my house, you mouse
This really is absurd”

Later when we went to bed
we left the door ajar
hoping that the little chap
would leave and go afar
But this morning he’d decided
to find the waste bin in the hall
so he really hadn’t ventured
all that very far at all

As it happened though, convenient
for I took the bin and him
out the back into the garden
where I did some emptying
And as the contents scattered
on the ground out there I spied
the little chap escape and run
under the shed to hide

So the ending of this story is
I’m very pleased to say
a nice one as our visitor
following his stay
was able with a little help
to leave behind our house
for the continuing adventures of
a little brown house mouse

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics