Eurovision 22

Watching Eurovision Twenty Two
aghast with whoops and cheers
we watched as UK on the boards
got its first points in years
Every time a twelve was called
to UK, loud we hailed
for this history in the making
that our 'spaceman' had regaled
Yet, saying that, the public vote
to place the winning sound
was absolutely justified
when Ukraine's turn came round

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Gigsters Divine

Though many bands we've seen
it's been six years since last we all
were collectively 'the gigsters'
at least, as I recall
But last night for Divine Comedy
the 'Gigsters' were united
once again all six together
as each had been invited
'Divine' was most appropriate
as superlative this evening
the 'Gigsters' doing what we do
for friendship's steadfast meaning

©Jemverse

Photo of ‘The Gigsters’ – Mike Dillamore. Divine Comedy gig at Brighton Dome 29.4.22 (That’s me – Jem – in the hat on the end)

A re-discovery

In the loft I found boxes of music forgotten
CDs boxed ages ago
Downloaded to iPods listened to then
when I was much younger you know
So the discovery now of these treasures is such
that I'm smitten all over again
the i-Pods replaced with the streaming of now
these are so much like an old friend
And though there's surely suspect content in there
as my taste has changed over time
the joy of the challenge to listen again
is something that is wholly mine

©Jemverse

Photo – the top box of four – all CD singles – re-discovered March 2022 – Jempics

Cue the music

The ambience grew as house lights dimmed
and the crowd with breath abated
whooped and cheered as music played
which they had long awaited
Tickets purchased two years past
with promise to fruition
as the Paris troupe performed and sang
with flamboyant intuition
For each they knew, the cast and crowd
this happening, this evening
was like a breath not breathed before
with wonderment and meaning

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Day Songs

On the edge of a morning walking down from the bridge
I hummed a tune for the day
with my headphones on
I walked along
with a smile as I went on my way

The sky overhead parted ways with the night
as a new day made itself known
so I nodded hello
like a pleasant fellow
as I sang to the songs on my phone

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Being me

Went to a gig
with no masks in sight
well, each to their own
and each to their plight
as although the music
was fantastic to see
Covid's still with us
and Omicron's free
so I masked right up
and tapping my feet
got into the music
in spite of the heat
safe in the knowledge
I'm as safe as can be
so I'll enjoy here the life
and keep on being me

©Jemverse

Photo – Jane Weaver, Chalk, Brighton – Jempics

Drifting away

Red Snapper Mojo floating
I'm here, relaxed and me
listening to the stereo
the perfect place to be

Life goes on around about
and I'm ok with that
as I am in my element
chilled out to be exact

This laidback jazz is perfect
for the mood I'm in right now
leave the world behind me
which feels just right somehow

Perhaps I'll close my eyes
and drift away a while
cos these tunes are pretty perfect
for a snoozing with a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Emmaus II

Sitting outside Emmaus
my purchases clamped in my hand
looking forward to hearing
old vinyl from my favourite band

Pleased with my finds here this morning
browsing bric-a-brac and some more
this place in Portslade that we come to
up here at our favourite store

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Emmaus is a homeless centre in Old Portslade, West Sussex which doubles as a homeless refuge and a large second-hand furniture, clothing and bric-a-brac store.

Seasons songs

Golden my streets
but it won't be for long
for though sweet are my words
quite short is my song
They look lovely right now
when the sunshine is bright
but lacklustre in rain
and leaden at night

And as winter creeps in
my songs peter out
for I run out of lyrics
with gusto to shout
and my golden turns grey
as the music it dies
for instead of the carpet
hard frost often lies

But there's always a promise
of new music to come
and though golden my fade
when autumn is done
Winter's fine voice
waits there in the wings
and it won't be too long
'til her new song she sings

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

A revitalisation of cheer

Hiding in long shadows
of a small gig still I stood
listening to the music
but wishing that I could
find there the enjoyment
that my friends and others there
clearly understood as in
the moment there they shared

Yet despite the disappointment
in the long shadows here with me
a certain feeling lingered
that I knew with certainty
Said I was meant to be here
as this venue and this place
was testament and evidence
of promise born from grace

A promise of live music
in whatever shape or form
could once again be heard and felt
and be again the norm
So despite the fact the music
here was not my cup of tea
I knew one thing for certain
and with utter clarity

And it definitely wasn't hiding
in long shadows or elsewhere
as it had something to shout aloud
with vibrancy right there
That this time this place this venue
this gig this music here
is what the heart has needed
to revitalise my cheer

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics