Catch myself sometimes, sideways glance
when I'm in vacant mood
pensive with my many thoughts
on which I often brood
and when I do I'll try to find
the spark I know is there
ignite it and release the vibe
when I'm caught unaware
Because when that is ignited
the fire leaps to the page
and I am then encouraged
with my words to re-engage
life becomes more tangible
and sunshine lights the way
to guide the form and syntax
in my writing every day
So yes it's good to sometimes
whene'er you get the chance
to seize a captured moment
and use it there to prance
upon yourself at random
whilst you are standing there
for release from pensive lethargy
when you're caught unaware
I looked and I found
the word that was lost
and despite everything
it was worth all the cost
for this word is the essence
the 'je ne sais quoi'
the one with a nod
you will say an 'aha'
and with kindred spirit
agree here with me
the word was worth finding
quite wholeheartedly
For it says everything
without substance or flair
about all that is good
and captured right there
It encapsulates all
seeking no recognition
no praise or aplomb
no prize or commission
It simply does all
it's intended to do
and needs no permission
from me or from you
For despite what we thought
it is ever there
the found to the seeker
with something to share
Still and November and grey yet quite warm
to the beach I ventured today
and alone on the shingle with my good friend the sea
stood there with something to say
But the words being stubborn just wouldn't come
so I stood and looked out to the grey
and as high tide turned tail and never looked back
still silent I went back to my day
Sometimes the moments they come and they go
some seized for the moment, some not
and though a beach is a good place to be with no words
it's enough to be calm with one's lot
I've been writing now for ages
my pen just can't keep still
and I'm certain that will be the case
for more years yet until
I've lost the plot entirely
and the words, dried up, are done
(I'll rue the day) but then accept
that day has finally come
But I'm pleased to say for now at least
I still write every day
as life it still continues
and has plenty more to say
So that's what I use my words for
to paint the life I see
in all its many nuances
as it evolves 'round me
I've been up half the night
as sleep wouldn't come
so I took up my pen
til the morning begun
And wrote down the words
that this page now reveals
as when slumber resists
this writing, it heals
Then as the light grows
and the day takes a hold
I read back the lines
and the story I've told
And most of the time
with no exception today
I know that my words
will have something to say
So I'll keep on writing
by day or by night
as when slumber fails
I can at least write
I couldn't sleep
so wrote instead
to get the words
out from my head
The night was hot
the air was still
and slumber failed
completely 'til
the early hours
and cooler times
when I had written
all my lines
I have long held a deep admiration, respect and fascination with the ancient art of both Japanese and Haitian poetry; specific syllabic sequencing to form short thematic poems. Some for purpose, some for pleasure, some for the simple joy of words. So I thought I’d develop my own, and here’s the first. I’ve called it ‘Jemaiku’ (Pro: “jem-eye-coo”), a six-line non-rhyming stanza with a syllabic sequence of 7, 5, 7, 5, 7, 5.
"Are you still writing each day"
Jack said and I grinned
for when wouldn't I
like the blow of the wind
For winds are like breathing
I need them to live
and craft them to lines
the syntax to give
The writing my solace
my 'raison d'être'
and the rest you all know
with my poems right there
...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...
Jemverse 