It's a first for me today
no trains for quite time
not since the first lockdown
have I braved the ridden line
And yet today to Worthing
I must venture yet again
for my first day in an office
and a journey on a train
So I'm taking all precaution
best foot forward and the rest
to make the day enjoyable
my safety to invest
And I know that it will all be fine
despite the butterflies
that I've now got in my tummy
which I guess is no surprise
So Shoreham station here I come
to travel on a train
and take another step to bring
normality again
On this September morning
sunshine greeted me again
and as this could be the summer's swansong
no one could lay the blame
if today instead of working
to the beach I went instead
to seize the opportunity
and by my heart be led
So that's what I resolved to do
'no brainer' some would say
as it's not often in September
that it's as hot as this today
Ne'r a cloud above in sight
the sky the deepest blue
with a breeze from early summer
I'd forgotten that I knew
And of course I found a hagstone
for my collection of such things
another treasure from the place
that pulls at my heartstrings
This beach, this perfect haven
here in Sussex by the sea
which at the summer's swansong
is the only place to be
Photo – Jempics (a ‘hagstone’ is found pebble with a natural hole right through, sculpted by the sea). I have not left a Sussex beach without at least one for as long as I can remember. So I have a great many hagstones now!
On the last day of August
I crossed the bridge from the town
as this view of Shoreham
brings a smile not a frown
and whenever I see it
a pinch I must give
to myself to remind me
that here's where I live
This town by the river
and yes, by the sea
nestled under the Downs
sheltered there by the lea
and this view from the beachside
never fails to impress
so I'm proud when I say
I've a Shoreham address
Widewater Lagoon
right next to the sea
on a day like today
is the place to be
There are people just walking
whilst some cycle by
and every so often
a seagull I'll spy
It's such a nice walk
on my way to the beach
so I'm massively grateful
it's in easy reach
as it means to this place
I can come for a wander
on days like today
and not let them squander
In Lewes on the river path
we walked beside the Ouse
watched it flow in from the sea
meandering to use
That aged water, aged flow
o'er many years has seen
and where along its grassy banks
many souls have been
In Lewes Wolfgang, Sal and I
in spite of summer rain
walked up beside the river
as we are back here again
That aged water, aged flow
cathartic here today
releasing the endorphins
in every single way
The beach is a landscape
when the tide is this low
the sky big and wide
with the shingle below
the water far distant
with rocks in between
with familiar seaweed
we've so often seen
yet it still brings excitement
for adventure and more
which over the years
we have used this beach for
So we'll treasure this landscape
by the edge of the sea
which has long given pleasure
to this family
and under the sky
with its canopy wide
we will wander and still
in its friendship confide
for we are as one
this landscape, this reach
down here in fair Sussex
and at home on the beach
St Mary's at night time
against black of the sky
looked really impressive
as we wandered by
So I whipped out my iPhone
and with time delay on
took a snapshot to capture
the view this was from
And it came out just fine
as I think you'll agree
from the picture I've added
to this brief poetry
Sometimes a biplane
will fly overhead
some of them yellow
and some of them red
Sometimes a seagull
will call on the breeze
as I sit in the sunshine
its warmth on my knees
Sometimes the sea
I will many hours view
for this vista has charm
and always feels new
Sometimes this beach hut
we've had now for years
will pull at heartstrings
and reduce me to tears
Sometimes I ponder
when pensive of mind
that this life is good
and for me very kind
And sometimes these words
I will craft into rhyme
to read and reflect
on from time to time
As a boy these docks, this harbour
was a playground for adventure
fascination for a mystery
with no interest in debenture
Freedom then to roam and play
in summers with no ending
gave birth to a long love affair
with Sussex there befriending
But that was a long time ago
and though docklands here remain
the yearning for adventure
I have long learned to refrain
Transitory was that time
yet still there's vestige here
with sun-bleached memories of my youth
rekindled by the year
The harbour may have changed yet I
am still that boy at heart
and though six decades since have passed
we're scarcely now apart
Yes transitory the passing
yet somehow just the same
as every time I pass I hear
the calling of my name
Photo – Shoreham Harbour from the ‘Albert Dock’, Sussex, UK – Jempics
An ‘Ubi Sunt’ is a verse form in which the poem or its stanzas begin with the Latin words “…Ubi Sunt…” (Where are…) or their equivalent in another language, and which has as a principal theme the transitory nature of things.
This Jemverse ‘Ubi Sunt’ is dedicated to Frank Hubeny and ‘Another Fearless Year’ (aka Linda Kruschker) from whom the inspiration to write it came.
This evening view from Henfield
to the distant Sussex hills
beneath a big sky canopy
is made for signs and thrills
Magnificent the blue and green
tinged golden by the sun
simply takes the breath away
as gazing here I'm stunned
And so I simply breathe it in
this view to satisfy
as evening settles on Sussex
and time rolls slowly by
...all about me and my life in words. I write most days, carrying an ideas book around in which I capture a word snapshot of life around me. So there's a lot here about Sussex and the sea and anything else I see that inspires.
The pictures are mine too. Some taken to match a poem; some poems written to match a pic; others chosen because they work well with words written.
Jemverse is life in words. Hope you enjoy the reading as much as I enjoy the writing...
