Tottington Wood

To Tottington Wood
in the mud and the rain
resolute and determined
we seven we came
And with best foot forward
we entered the trees
squelching through mud
which came up to our knees

The rain was incessant
and got in everywhere
but we all had fun
and didn’t much care
Because we are the Crouchers
for ever and ever
with fun times and frolics
as family together

©Jemverse

Photo – Emily Rose Croucher

This town of mine

Someone sent a photograph
of how it used to be
Shoreham when I was a lad
Evoked a memory

Walking home from school each day
climbing up the wall
Jumping on the old bomb there
never once to fall

The den up in the manor
on the edge of Buckingham Park
where we’d hide and read our comics
and stay ’til it got dark

The sea defences on the beach
near to the harbour’s arm
Ignored our parents’ warning
though we never came to harm

The ruined house in Kingston Lane
its air-raid shelters gave
us reason for adventures
in the dark just like a cave

So many memories I have
of times now gone before
when Shoreham was a different place
this town on Sussex shore

But something nurtured way back then
has stood the test of time
As I’m still here and call this home
This lovely town of mine

©Jemverse

 

Bramber

Bramber castle in the rain
just as dusk was falling
walking in the muddy moat
as the night came calling

The tower was quite ethereal
with moonlight shadow cast
An image we’ll remember
as a memory to last

©Jemverse

Photo – Bramber castle, West Sussex – Jempics

Atmospheric 3

3 of 3 in a Jemverse mini-series

Looking eastwards cross the raging sea
grey clouds above the green
The beach at Lancing here today
amongst the best I’ve seen
That is, I’d say, for quite a while
so fortunate am I
as I can come and witness when
wind blows and waves are high
This beach, this shore in Sussex
wonderful throughout the year
Its glory never lost on me
when I am standing here

©Jemverse

Photo – looking eastwards from Lancing Beach, Sussex, UK – Jempics

Southern England’s voice

At Sea Lane in Goring
breakwaters remain
reaching out to the sea
And this is the Sussex
that speaks loud its voice
and is Southern England to me

Wild with a welcome
the waves breaking there
sparkle and shine in the sun
as my camera it captures
to hold and enrapture
when my frequent visits are done

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Yorkshire

So I’m back up in West Yorkshire
God’s own country so they say
But my preference is for Sussex
which I prefer ‘most any day

Yes, here there are attractions
unique to Yorkshire and the north
But home’s still where the heart is
when one travels back and forth

So I’ll gladly come for business
or to visit for a while
But take me back to Sussex
as it always brings a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Shipley, West Yorkshire, Jempics

Ditchling Beacon

Ditching Beacon in late summer
with views of Sussex Weald
walking slowly in the heat
cast by the sun’s strong yield

Wolfgang’s with us trotting slow
sniffing here and there
Inquisitive, excited
the moment here to share

By and by we’ll head on home
but an ice-cream first I think
Eating quickly, lest they melt
whilst Wolfgang has a drink

©Jemverse

Photo – from the the top of Ditchling Beacon, West Sussex – Jempics

[Wolfgang is our daughter’s 10-month old Patterdale Terrier]