46 Valentines

©Jemverse

Twelve weeks

Soft words of comfort I heard from left field
with Emily's hand there in mine
Her voice was a rest
when not at my best
So I knew things would work out just fine

Ed's tower of strength, a shoulder to lean on
metaphorically, physically too
Gave me a strength
which I felt at some length
when I needed it most to imbue

The wisdom of years way beyond her youth
Considerate, firm, erudite
From Bezza to me
in my dark hours of need
Were particularly welcome at night

And Grace's care, unreserved and complete
meant more than I have words to say
The love of my child
unique, reconciled
is replete when you know it each day

Twelve weeks now passed since everything changed
and our uncertain future began
have been doable just
with the love, care and trust
which my children have in their gameplan

©Jemverse

Photo – Bezza Croucher

Role reversal

Tables were turned 
as once I pushed her
But on Boxing Day Brighton
to Grace I deferred

Temporary though
this disablement
as out of this chair
is my firm intent

Still, amusing with
Grace pushing me
as the opposite once
in her pram you'd see

Role reversal
the reliance I need
But their love and care
means I am here freed

©Jemverse

Photo – Grace pushing me in my wheelchair on Brighton’s Palace Pier, Boxing Day 2023

House full of flowers

The house is full of flowers
the most there's ever been
most of which I know about
but some I've never seen

Demonstrative of all the love
that's been outpouring here
since last week's diagnosis
from those I hold so dear

I'm overwhelmed, no doubt of that
but it's a wondrous, joyous thing
these tokens of the love that's held
and the pleasure they all bring

©Jemverse

Photo – just one of the myriad bouquets and bunches filling our house – this one from my ex-work team.

My equilibrium

This time of life, stability
my equilibrium
is here for me, my family
I love them, every one
Supportive, loving, ever there
they're everything I need
there for me, as I for them
in all to intercede

©Jemverse

Life’s gift

Love is life's gift 
like a favourite song
Goosebumps and spine tingles 
as you both sing along
And as soulmates together
the music is sweet
as the lyrics you sing
 make your life complete

©Jemverse

Last day 9

9 of 12 in the ‘Last Day 23’ series

It's the last day of September
Twenty twenty-three
and the day of a new marriage
of our daughter Grace to Lee
A day of new beginnings
with our seventh family member
which each year on 30/9
us Beans will all remember
So here's a toast, the first of many
on this very special day
to Grace and Lee for happiness
to speed you on your way

©Jemverse

 

44

Forty four years since seventy nine
when I became yours and you became mine
Soulmates then and soulmates now
Our love grows deeper still somehow

Back then the song which then we sung
when we were twenty and so young
still now we sing, our voices loud
as of our love we are so proud

So here's to you, my love, my wife
Bonne Anniversaires for wedded life
with hope and knowledge that we will
see many more together still

©Jemverse

Photo – James Newbold

Galatea

With Venus shining in the sky
for Galetea a sunset gleamed
and sixteenth century playwright vibes
descended to the place it seemed

L-G-B-T-Q-I-A
the message loud and clear
spoken, signed and acted
whilst the crowd applauded here

And as dusk fell into nightfall
with shadows gathered long
the yield of epilogue spoke true
of love's all-conquering song

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics (the bright glow in the centre is Venus in the Western sky over Shoreham)

[Galatea is an epic tale of love, transformation and acceptance, written by John Lyly in the 1580s and adapted for the 21st century by Emma Frankland, an award-winning LGBTQIA theatre-maker and performer. Galatea premiered at the 2023 Brighton Festival on Shoreham recreation ground in the week ending 20th May]

Unconditional (reprise)

Concluding the ‘My very best’ series (12 of 12)

I don’t ask for much in life
I settle for the least
A bed to sleep in, warm at night
And now and then a feast
A little exercise most days
In the garden, out the back
Some water there to quench my thirst
And perhaps. sometimes. a snack

Yet in return for these small things
I’ll be a life-long friend
Always there to welcome you
On me you can depend
For I am faithful to the last
Ever by your side
I’ll be a true companion
In whom you can confide

I’m always pleased to see you
Whenever that might be
No matter how you’re feeling
For that’s part of being me
For I am dog you understand
A canine through and through
Unequivocally there to be
A special friend for you

©Jemverse

Photo – Obi Wan Kinobi – March 2023 – Jempics

‘Unconditional‘ was first posted to Jemverse in January 2015

[Today concludes the ‘My very best’ series – a selection of 12 of the many thousands of poems I’ve written to date in my 50+ years as a poet. There are many more I could have picked so perhaps there’ll be a ‘My very best II’ at some point. Who knows? One thing  is certain; I’ll not stop writing!]