Stations

With its long reach
this station clad
with many journeys
I have had
Over the years
to different places
some with airs
and some with graces
Quiet, it exudes
a charm
which here has never
done me harm
A comfort even
home from home
from all the stations
I have known
For this is Shoreham
part of me
in this town
beside the sea

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Dorset Adventures

Part 1 in the Jemverse series ‘Down in Dorset’

We're all quite excited
and the bags are all packed
with wellington boots
and scarves, coats and hats
the route is selected
and we all know the way
as we're finally going
on our holiday

It's the first time the Crouchers
have been away all as one
since two years ago
before Covid had come
so as you can imagine
we are buzzing with glee
for this week together
as one family

And both dogs will be there
as well which is better
so we're hoping for sun
but won't mind if it's wetter
as we will have fun
because we'll all be together
for Dorset adventures
whatever the weather

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Travelling again

Last week I braved the train because I had to
and it wasn't all that nice
seemed the people had forgotten
and were content to pay the price

But today was a different matter
and I felt more at ease
travelling in for pleasure
with just myself to please

Besides I wore my face mask
kept myself as safe as safe can be
and that is all I ask for
in this new normality

So it was really quite refreshing
And I felt myself again
building further blocks to keep
this pleasure to remain

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Normality

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

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

The whimsy of a long moment

Took a moment yesterday
to smile and drift away
somewhere very pleasant
where once we got to stay

It was a special moment
and I wanted it to last
so I really took some time
to make sure it slowly passed

In my mind’s eye there quite clearly
I saw everything which we
had shared when there together
my soulmate Sal, and me

So, lingering with whimsy
I stayed there for a while
to savour the long moment
with pleasure and a smile

And the lovely thing about it
is I’m sure it won’t be long
before the memory is reality
and the whimsy turns to song

©Jemverse

Photo – Pompeii, Italy – Jempics

Mind’s Eye travelling II

In my mind’s eye I have travelled
to the places I love most
here in lovely Sussex
on the charming Southern coast
Places I can’t visit
in these strange days we are in
but yet I know each one so well
for clear remembering

So though I am restricted
to the places close to home
I can still recall the pleasure
which freedom gives to roam
And with these recollections
I can travel far afield
to the places closest to my heart
above the Sussex Weald

©Jemverse

Photo – the Sussex Weald from Ditchling Down, South Downs, Sussex – Jempics

The Bridge Hotel

Down the back steps is a courtyard
overlooking city walls
high above the valley
from where the Tyne it calls
Adjacent to High Level Bridge
its namesake for to trace
The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle
quite special to this place

©Jemverse

Photo – High Level Bridge from the courtyard of The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle, UK – Jempics

Passing through

Of the places that I travel to
surpassing all the rest
I have to say with hand on heart
Newcastle is the best

It has a certain ambiance
a ‘je ne sais quoi’ I’d say
Can’t quite find the words
but it appeals in every way

And though my visits often
just see me passing through
I’ll always do my level best
to see the river view

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Fleeting glimpses of wonder

There’s something to be said
when travelling to Southend
of the sunset on the water
on the estuary of the Thames

Catching glimpses like this
of the things around I’ve seen
reminds me of the beauty
in the places I have been

And even though a fleeting glimpse
as the train sped on its way
it filled me with a wonder
on this fragile winters day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Cold in Manchester

Awoke to a cold morning
But the rain had gone away
So putting on a braver face
I set out to greet the day
Unfamiilar are these streets
but my path is fairly clear
and the place that I am going to
is reasonably near

Warm inside my winter coat
AirPods bring comfort sound
coupled with the promise that
I’ll soon be homeward bound
And somehow it’s more bearable
cold weather close to home
A cheering thought to cling to
when in Manchester alone

©Jemverse

Photo – Manchester, December 2019 – Jempics