I laid down several barrowfulls
of mulch upon the ground
covering the remaining grass
that's evident around
Not 'cos we don't like it
but on an allotment it's a pain
as every time we go there
it's strimming time again
And then I planted lavenders
because it seemed the thing to do
and with that fragrance come the summer
more good vibes will accrue
Then with this work my hands had done
with fruits of labour shown
I sat a while with Badger beer
to breathe in earth and loam
Went back to the lotty, it's looking so good
but from the work Sal has done I knew that it would
It's the first time I've been here so far this year
but as always this place oozes fun times and cheer
So I set out with a plan I had made in advance
with gaffer tape ready prepared for a chance
and fixed the loose panes in the greenhouse with ease
cable ties for the job with which I am pleased
Then armed with a fork I dug out five holes
for the fruit trees we've saved supported by poles
before taking a seat and surveying the plot
satisfied in the moment with all here we've got
This twenty rod* plot, our 'erf', our realm
our saving grace, our haven
is such to bring a 'joie de vivre'
and oft a cause for 'pavan'*
As though each year we toil for long
to dig and plant and sow
the reward of produce that it brings
gives reason more to grow
[In the ‘Colloquy’ series, I’m exploring some the of English language’s more obscure words. Some little used, some no longer used but all recondite. ‘Erf’ is an adjective for a plot of land; an allotment, for example]
*’rod’ – from the Old English ‘rudde’ and akin to the Old Norse ‘rudda’ (club) – a unit of measurement equivalent to 16.5 feet. The annual ground rent for allotments is charged by the ‘rod’.
*’pavan’ – a stately dance originating from the 16th and 17th centuries
It doesn't look like much I know
but the satisfaction wrought
from half an hour of crafting
inspired by a simple thought
is pleasing and in fact replete
a sense of job well done
working with just what you find
whilst having lots of fun
And that in fact's the essence
of what this allotment brings
to each of us as time we spend
down here whilst growing things
Its flowers were no more and it
was definitely past its prime
but it was going really cheap
so I paid and made it mine
then took it to the lotty where
I gave it pride of place
a new lavender for the herbal plot
its presence there to grace
And bedraggled though it may be
I will nurture it with care
as it promises next summer
lots more lavender to share
Sat down at the allotment
in late summer sun
with a welcome can of ale
the weeding here all done
The no dog plots are looking good
and our labour is well spent
as everything is looking great
almost as if with intent
Sal is down there painting
watercolours as she does
in a shady spot, but me
in full sunshine here because
that's what I like to do
we each have different ways
celebrating our enjoyment
of just being in this place
In the cold frame go the seeds
which I have today just sown
the frame that was just two weeks gone
with brambles overgrown
Elsewhere as day by day we toil
and clear a a little more
the plots are getting ready
for a winter crop in store
And yes, it's quite hard going
but we're doing it in chunks
so we don't get too knackered
and end up looking chumps
We've hidden the hosepipe away in the shed
as the long lack of rain has inevitably led
to a ban of the sprinkling of water for gain
pending reservoirs filling up once more with rain
So the watering can will now be our friend
until that is this sunshine sees end
but we're absolutely not wishing this summer away
as it's great to see sunshine so bright every day
The extended lotty's taking shape
as Sal and I are there to make
the best of all the toils we take
from this our piece of land
It's looking good and we are proud
so we will shout that fact aloud
no hiding behind veil or shroud
from this our piece of land
And by and by when comes the rain
we'll plant some crops and then again
see produce to our table lain
from this our piece of land
Buried in the undergrowth
we found a penguin hiding
brushed him off and gave him
somewhere better to reside in
thought that it must surely be
a sign for better things
as for our new allotment a
new life with him begins
...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 