Winter – sedoka

As winter takes hold
Autumn fades to memory
with a tinge of sadness there

Yet with the winter
Crystalline treasures return
and we are richer for that

©Jemverse

Photo – Adur valley snow, Shoreham – Jempics

Day 3 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Six Lines’ event – a sedoka a day for 7 days.

A Sedoka is an unrhymed poem of Japanese origin comprising two three-lined Katauta. A Sedoka has a syllabic sequencing of 5/7/7, 5/7/7.

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Mill Hill Wanderings

Mill Hill in the sunshine
on a perfect July day
The river in the valley
and the hills across the way
We’re the only people up here
so the silence is complete
Just the panting of our little dog
and the tramping of our feet

The views across the valley
spectacular as ever
Takes the eye far out to sea
which borders on the clever
And we in all this beauty here
upon our doorstep close to home
can come here any time we like
for a wander and a roam

©Jemverse

The River

As the sun sets over shadowed hills
the tidal river flows
Meandering through the valley plain
as out to sea it goes
Enraptured in this evening light
we amble hand in hand
From High Trees along the river bank
in this fine Sussex land

All this wonder on our doorstep
never ceases to amaze
As we wander through this valley
with the river in our gaze
And we know we hold a privilege
by living in this place
Something never lost on us
as our footsteps we retrace

©Jemverse

 

No wizardry

It’s been mistaken for Hogwarts
up there on the hill
Lancing college’s chapel
remains with us still
There are no Harry Potters’
in those Victorian walls
and no wizardry practiced
in its hallowed halls

But captured in paintings
and photos and more
It’s place in our landscape
is brought to the fore
A landmark to Adur
Lancing’s heritage sealed
It’s vista stands proudly
with beauty revealed

©Jemverse

 

This river

In this river’s silted tributaries
Navigation now
Reserved for smallish river craft
Low of beam and bow
And yet, two hundred years ago
Galleons here were made
Crafted beams at Bramber
Where many keels were laid
Such changing times of commerce
The Adur’s here provided
For this fishing port of Shoreham
Which by the sea has long resided

©Jemverse

 

Adur valley beauty

Today the river mirrors
The pale blue of the sky
As whitened Sussex fields
In frosted splendour lie

Lancing college chapel
Proud as always on the hill
Overlooks the Adur valley
Quiet and beautifully still

And as I gaze upon this vista
Briefly from the train
I am reminded that I live here
And a smile returns again

©Jemverse