Measure on measure

The Christmas tree's up
and it's twinkling there
under the window
good spirit to share
It's welcoming glow
is a comforting sight
when I leave in the morning
and return home at night

And the advent sack beckons
a departure this year
from traditional boxes
but still oozing cheer
As every morning we delve
to find a new treasure
from our four grown-up children
for measure on measure

©Jemverse

Photo – our Christmas 21 ‘advent sack’ – Jempics

Icing days

First hard frost I've seen this year
with icing on the cars
Jack Frost has called here overnight
beneath the twinkling stars
and painted white all that he sees
on windows and on grass
for wonder come the break of day
when shivering humans pass

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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

Garden fade

I stole some summer's magic
kept it back a while to hold
to rekindle momentarily at least
these days when fades the gold

All too soon I'll be forgotten
as lacklustre my waste is laid
and the sun will stay hidden
til come the winters' fade

I'm resigned of course, it happens
every year around this time
as to slumber once more I return
and with all that I am fine

As underneath there's promise
hidden now but all too soon
returning me to glory
as you will see next June

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Our field

So many times
we've both walked this field
with our little dog, Obi
in the heart of the Weald
Just north of Steyning
on the Partridge Green road
it's been here our haven
and many times strode

Each time we come here
something different we see
whilst Obi does running
quite safe and quite free
and we never grow weary
despite knowing it well
as it's wholesome and lovely
which these words I think tell

©Jemverse

Photo – Seven Tree Field – Jempics

The whole I am

Some weeks you just need one
to recharge your soul
for relaxation and rest
and to get you back whole
For when you keep going
bits drop off and fall
and though gradual a process
you're not quite your all

So sometimes a recharge
is the right call to make
to top up the batteries
with respite to take
and you know it makes sense
and is no fake or sham
as the evidence there
is the whole you, I am

©Jemverse

Photo – Gracey Croucher of Emily Rose Croucher in the woods. I chose this one to accompany my words as it sums up to me what ‘free spirit’ and the ‘I am’ is all about. Sometimes it’s good to simply have ‘me’ time.

The Treasure Party

Enriched I am carried
as if on a cloud
to this place of fulfilment
my head duly bowed
For it is with all honour
and privilege here
that I share in this glory
at this time of year

So in luxury carried
to this opulent place
I am full of awe
at receipt of this grace
For it is quite purely
at nature's behest
that I am invited
as a valued guest

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Part of the picture

In the gallery a sculpture
made of mirrors so we there
took a picture in position
so with it we all could share
Placed us in the location
that we love above the rest
for a day out in our happy place
that really is the best

©Jemverse

Photo – Gracey Croucher

Happy Place

First time to London
in two years or more
all Crouchers together
for good times galore
So this morning we all
are up with the lark
for coffee and toast
before we embark

We're heading for South Bank
Tate Modern no less
as we've all missed the vibe
we will freely confess
The company jocund
the excitement complete
we can barely contain
and keep still in our seat

Just an hour and a bit
on the train beforehand
when we all meet for breakfast
before the tour grand
And then we'll be back
in that greatest of space
Tate Modern on South Bank
our most happy place

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Days gone

In Regency Square
where once stood the Pier
Victorian splendour
still evident here
but time has moved on
and the 360 high
is now the feature
high up in the sky

Yet standing here now
the future I hold
is recalling the heyday
('cos yes, I'm that old)
when the West Pier still stood
as a visual feast
besting the new one
a mile to the east

And none of the brash
we see here today
was even a thought
to get in our way
Slower those days
I think then than now
and I can't help but feel
we've lost something somehow

But though those days are gone
mind's eyes' not prevented
from memories clear
and with that I'm contented
For in Regency Square
I still stand and can here
see those halcyon days
when still stood the West Pier

©Jemverse

Photo – Brighton’s i-360 tower from Regency Square – Jempics