Ways to use time

We went for an ice cream
and sat on the beach
it was rather windy
but within easy reach
in the relative shelter
of Old Shoreham town
nestled beneath
the crook of the Down

The sun was all squinty
and April shine bright
good to see people
about and in sight
Almost as if a 
new normal is here
evident on the faces
of all around, cheer

We stopped by politely
at the patisserie
to purchase some quiche
for Sally and me
then made our way homeward
for brunch and a snooze
such is our choice
for the time that we use

©Jemverse

Photo – Sally Croucher

Treasure Trove II

I get lost in a good bookshop
they are like a treasure trove
and fortunately Lewes town
has them in spades and droves
So of a Wednesday morning
with the sunshine proving warm
we drove there for a browsing
which for us has been the norm
And in a darkened basement
I found Nirvana waiting there
shelves of ancient volumes
just waiting there to share
their secrets with the reader
who will in their pages find
the treasures that I speak of
for the soul and for the mind
Yes, I get lost in a good bookshop
for with patience and good measure
I know that every time I come
I'll find a waiting treasure.

©Jemverse

Photo – Emily Rose Croucher

Beginning IX

aka The Plan (part IV)

9 of 12 in the Jemverse series ’12 months IV’

A new beginning at our 'lotty'
and we're both as pleased as punch
as the planned 'no dig' solution
is paying off from just a hunch
For now we've built with withy
two climbing frames by hand
and planted all the seedlings
we have grown upon our land
And we've strimmed the grass around
so it's looking pretty neat
showing off the lavenders
which are blooming in the heat
Now lots and lots of water
we will add by hose each day
to bring the plan close to fruition
and the vegetables our way

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Part 1 ‘Back to the allotment‘ – 24 March 2021

Part 2 ‘The Plan (Part II)‘ – 18 April 2021

Part 3 ‘The Plan (Part III)‘ – 24 April 2021

Freedom II

Seagull giving it ‘some of that’

on ‘Fatto Mano’s’ there

whilst we walked slow through Brighton

the afternoon to share

Rock buns in Pavilion Gardens

charity shops galore

cheap CDs in the pound shop

and we’re back here once more

The sunshine made the people

and the ambiance so real

almost like a living thing

at fingertips to feel

It’s been a long time coming

but we embraced it here today

tangible this freedom feeling

and this time it’s here to stay

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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

Blessed and content

It doesn’t take much

in fact not much at all

to make something feel

quite so wonderful

So out here in the sun

I am blessed and content

summed up in a moment

and every word meant

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Pleasant enough

It’s pleasant enough

sitting out in the sun

with a dog at my side

and a pen on the run

Capturing words

here in full flow

from the mind of a poet

to the pages below

…

It’s pleasant enough

when a morning is warm

and the joys of the Spring

are becoming the norm

Forming the syntax

of something that is

a moment of pleasure

and seems right for this

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Taking me time

It’s midweek and I’m on holiday

and enjoying every day

as rest-respite is needed

now and then from the foray

Five days to think of nothing else

but enjoyment just for me

doing stuff I love to do

most of it here for free

…

And this rest and relaxation

is so cathartic that I find

it’s easy to switch off from work

and totally unwind

So here’s to having holidays

doesn’t matter what you do

as the important thing is having fun

and taking time for you

©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

Easter Egg Hunt

I’m devising an Easter egg hunt

it’s a giggle

as I had to squeeze into some spots

with a wiggle

too cunningly hide the eggs

with some guile

as my children have been at this

for quite a while

so they all know the places that

I pick for hiding

which means that deception

is now residing

to find nooks and crannies and

difficult places

to keep them all busy with

smiles on their faces

as all of my children are

grown adults now

the clues have got harder

and harder somehow

But they’ll use their wisdom and

collective endeavour

to solve all the problems I’ve set

‘cos they’re clever

And when they are done and all

eggs have been found

we’ll share some Bucks Fizz with

good cheer all round

For the joy of delivery comes straight

from the heart

and the prize of completion is

just taking part

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics