The wisdom of the sea

The water looked like crystal
as it sparkled in the sun
Like glass its light refracted
for a New Year just begun

A ‘je ne sais quoi’ said something
as a whisper silently
caught and carried by the breeze
across the windless sea

I think it was a promise
though I’m not completely sure
so I will come here every day
to listen out for more

For the sea it has a voice
oft heard across the years
both a comfort in my joy
and solace in my tears

So I’ve come to trust its wisdom
and as soon as it confides
I’ll share that with you here
when the right time it decides

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Revealing Treasure

The longshore drift moves shingle
as the beaches change their shape
revealing all the treasures
that changing times will make
and particularly pleasing
for an inspiration here
is the old Victorian breakwater
to bring me joy and cheer

I have so missed these lovely things
which once graced every shore
replaced now by Norwegian rock
so good to see once more
these contours and this sculpture
fine crafted by the sea
are treasures to be cherished
in the the short time they will be

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

In Sussex

Rainshadow on November sea
braced against the weather we
into strong sou’ westerly
In Sussex where we live

Sunbeams struggle in the grey
on this brisk November day
as we venture out to play
in Sussex where we live

This coastal strip our comfort here
always bringing plenty cheer
no matter what the time of year
In Sussex where we live

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

The Thrum

The surf beat the shingle
loud as a drum
with rising crescendo
for rhythm and thrum
and the wind and the sea
gave their voice to the choir
for a symphony there
to absorb and admire

The ambiance came
from the dark of the night
with white horses leaping
for wonderful sight
And we clapped and we whooped
with joy and with glee
as the music resounded
in Shoreham-by-Sea

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Atmospheric IV

Atmospheric I think you might say
of the beach at Shoreham this evening
with the white of the surf from the waves on the shore
and the taste of salt they were leaving
The wind caught our breath and took it away
as we leant to sou’westerly facing
and a laugh shouted loud at the thrill of it all
was lost in the ambiance bracing

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Little yellow seat II

I’m sitting on the yellow seat
Looking out to sea
It’s perfect in the sunshine
Although a tad windy

We came down here again today
So it seemed the thing to do
On such a lovely day as this
To see this lovely view

October now of course but that
Does not get in the way
As though the air is cooler
The sun still has a say

And though there are few words
I find sitting on this seat
Several some straight to mind
To make this view complete

Unspoken by the sunshine
And the blue sky and the sea
On this beach in Lancing
Where we just love to be

©Jemverse

Photo – selfie in the yellow seat, Lancing beach, Sussex, UK – Jempics

I am not yet retired

7 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

I am not yet retired
but not that long maybe
as there is much attraction
for just sitting by the sea
Today just for example
three hours I have set here
doing nothing else but look
out to the sea so very near

I am not yet retired
but it probably won’t be long
as each day I find I’m singing
that no more working song
Today just for example
I spent the whole day by the sea
listening to its calming voice
just serenading me

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Little yellow seat

6 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

There’s a little yellow seat
on the shingle near the shore
just above the tideline
so I know just what it’s for

For its position faces eastward
so down there early morn
you’d see the sunrise glory
with the coming of the dawn

Yet even in the daytime
when the sun is at its peak
its vista is just lovely
if a view you’ve come to seek

So I really hope it stays there
on the shoreline on the rise
bringing pleasure to the viewer
of the sea before their eyes

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Twenty year view

3 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

For over twenty years
I have sat and watched this view
back since I was forty when
this vista was brand new
Hut one-o-one at Lancing
on the east side of the beach
about three miles from where we live
so still in easy reach

And even after twenty years
this view down to the sea
exudes its charm and here remains
quite unequivocally
A place where I am quite at ease
and in my element
for it is where for all these years
my summers I have spent

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

September Sunshine III

2 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

So I’ve not written ’bout the beach
for quite a while it seems
but today is quite appropriate
with all these new sunbeams
For it seemed the summer left us
when August’s evening came
yet now it’s back and shouting
lest we forget its name

Thirty plus they say today
good reason to return
in this September sunshine
and feel its warming burn
A good day for the beach hut
beside my lovely sea
with lapping waves and warming sun
to keep me company

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics