The forbidden word

Yes I know it’s a word

which for me’s rarely hidden

yet as I use it so much

my wife has forbidden

But I really can’t help it

so here as a poet

I’ll resist but I’m tempted

so much, don’t you know it!

…

For example today

on my bench for a while

I sat in the sunshine

which brought on a smile

and there in an instant

is the ‘S’ word again

brought in to rhyme

in this little refrain

…

And though it’s so short

just five letters long

it conveys so much

so its usage is strong

The emotion it carries

is second to none

so here for a poet

what’s done is done

…

So I’m sorry my dear

but try hard as a I might

the use of a smile is

my poet’s birthright

and as what I do

in the words from my pen

is regale the nice things

that I see now and then…

…

…I’m afraid that its use

is inevitable here

as it always describes

the joy and the cheer

that every so often

every once in a while

captures the happiness

born of a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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

With all that you read here

It didn’t trouble Wordsworth
or Longfellow or Dahl
as I’m sure when they were writing
you would never hear a snarl

So I won’t let it trouble me
for there is much in life
to write some joyful lines about
avoiding all the strife

So here to make that very point
though I’ll need to be quite snappy
are several lines to bring a smile
and leave you feeling happy

For that will be my motto
as we enter twenty-one
to by my poet’s gift ensure
each day I bring some fun

And yes I know that out there is
a lot to bring a tear
so you’ll find only those of joy
with all that you read here

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics (Stationary brings me joy – particularly new books to write my daily poems in. These three are from Venice in Italy)

Winter sun

The sun made an appearance
not seen it in a while
so its warmth upon my shoulder
brought again to me a smile
Polite again as always
it asked my where it should
and my reply as ever was
that anywhere was good

So nice to see its yellow rays
and sunbeam glow right there
nothing I can think of with
that joy to here compare
So I really hope it stays a while
to keep me company
as in these iron-cold winter months
it’s really what I need

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Iron flowers and smiles

Took some night-time pictures
‘cos the days are oh so short
of the iron flowers out here
in my garden for a thought

For they are really gorgeous
as I think you will agree
and always bring a smile
to us when daily them we see

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Positivity

Thinking positivity
something bright for smile
especially as now it seems
it’s lockdown for a while

We need a little brightness
something cheerful each day
to lighten mood and strengthen
if just in a small way

So here’s a little uplifter
in verse as is my gift
which I hope will do just that
for you and bring a lift

It isn’t much but anything
is better here than naught
and this seemed just the thing to do
for you here as I ought

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Things to do on hot days II

Sitting in the garden
in my favourite chair
in my favourite shirt from Greece
watching wildlife there
Little birds a flutter
tasting birdseed by my side
and other times a squirrel
have here I’ve often spied

For this is quiet, a haven
here of solitude and peace
unspoilt by nose of traffic
not often here at least
So as long as I keep still
and just watch a little while
I’m sure to be rewarded
with a visit for a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Virtual hugs

What I wouldn’t give
for an actual real-life hug
but that’s not to be so when
we meet we smile and shrug
throw wide our arms as always
for a virtual one that’s best
under these cruel circumstances
Covid’s given us to test

But the social gatherings we have
at a distance in the sun
are things we all revel in
and enjoyed by everyone
So with every opportunity
afforded we will meet
and though the hugs are absent
just being there’s a treat

©Jemverse

Photo – virtual hugs at the beach hut – Jempics

Back to the beach hut

Got back to the beach hut
it’s been quite a while
so it’s good to be back
at the place with a smile
The wind was quite blowy
but the sunshine was out
and because of the wind
there was no-one about

The horizon was clear
on a sea of deep green
with white horses out there
the best we have seen
So good to be back here
we missed you so much
We couldn’t come sooner
but we’ve kept in touch

And we’ll make up for that now
for you’ve so much to teach
so much so in evidence
down here at the beach
And we’ll start with today
as it’s wonderful here
our beach hut in Lancing
which we hold so dear

©Jemverse

Photo – Us at our Beach Hut, Father’s Day 2020 – Bezza Croucher

With a smile

When night falls in our garden
it seems now as if to us
something magical happens
just like that without fuss

For with the day’s fading
little lights of colour come
transforming there our haven
until the night time’s done

So whether day or darkness
we can sit out there a while
and soak up all the magic there
with whimsey and a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics