Right time, right place

In London quite early
(I was up with the lark)
So it’s still very quiet
in St James’ park

And just there by the lake
as I happenchanced by
A picture of heaven
for a smile and a cry

A swan with her babies
sheltered there by a wing
A privilege to see and
a beautiful thing

So I paused for a moment
and watched and admired
those small fluffy babies
the swans here had sired

An exquisite moment
right time and right place
which, I might add
brought a smile to my face

©Jemverse

Six hundred steps and an ice-cold beer

Part 6 of 20 in ‘The Aegean Shores’ series

Sitting on the harbour wall
with an ice-cold beer
Watching cool blue waters
in Santorini here
I’ve climbed six hundred steps
to Thira at the top
avoiding several donkeys
who looked fed up and hot

And then I walked back down again
taking pictures on the way
Getting warmer by the minute
at the hottest time of day
So an ice-cold beer is just the thing
sheltered from the sun
Before heading to the tender
as the day is far from done

©Jemverse

There are over 600 steps up a winding path from the harbour wall in Santorini to Thira at the top. Most visitors either take the cable car or risk a donkey ride; but I walked up. 

[This is part 6 of a 20-part series charting a seven-day cruise with Tui from 11-15 August 2017, travelling from London to Corfu, then Kalamata (Greece), Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Piraeus (Greece), Kefalonia, Corfu and London, some 3,870 nautical miles]

Many happy returns

Back when it was purchased
with its buds not yet in bloom
I thought I’d save a picture
of it for the first of June
And now that day has come
and the summertime is here
I’m really pleased I waited
as its beauty is now clear

It’s name too has a purpose
and as the title above goes
We’re really looking forward
to more flowers from this rose

©Jemverse

 

For the birds

On Ditching Down we found ourselves
‘For the Birds’ – a mystery tour
Part of the Brighton Festival
at midnight, what was more

A trail of lights led up the hill
which we followed to the crest
all adding to the mystery
which put us to the test

And all was really quiet
as we delved into the trees
The darkness all consuming
The moment there to seize

Then gradually the sound of birds
or something up ahead
A whistling and a chirping
it could, I think, be said

What followed was incredible
magnificent and more
as we discovered installations
in the woods upon our tour

Celebrating feathered things
and magical to see
It was truly an experience
to fill our hearts with glee

©Jemverse

‘For the Birds‘ – a meditative and immersive journey through a secret South Downs woodland location – took place during the annual Brighton Arts Festival in May 2017.  It was a self-guided journey through a wild landscape at night, transforming woodland and downland with a series of thirty-something bespoke light and sound installations produced by some of the most dynamic sound artists currently working in the UK. It was, without a doubt, the most magical and beautiful experience I’ve had in a very long while. Truly breathtaking.

 

Cuckmere Haven

Down at Cuckmere Haven
where the Ouse flows to the sea
the view from high on Haven Brow
is caught spectacularly
As up here with my camera
I pause to take a snap
The view as a reminder
that I am a lucky chap

For this is Sussex by the sea
beauty at its best
Close by and on my doorstep
by whim or by behest

©Jemverse

 

Last Sunset

And so the final sunset
the best was saved ’til last
It really was a gorgeous one
as I walked slowly past
It cast wide golden washes
upon the silken sea
as the tide crept in a final time
from the estuary

And trundling from the Pierhead
the 4.30 train rolled by
As the sun sank down into the west
and I began to cry
The tears rolled freely down my cheeks
but no sadness there you know
For this sunset was amongst the best
of sunsets as they go

©Jemverse

See also ‘Last Sunrise‘ (from Jemverse)

Big Sun

The biggest sun I ever saw
greeted me today
A golden ball of wonder
which took my breath away

©Jemverse

 

Rainbow Acrostic

Radient
And
Iridescent
Now
Beautiful and
Overwhelmingly
Wonderful

©Jemverse

 

Black Swan

Early morning in St James’
A black swan came swimming by
Reflected in the water
as if to beautify
It was a peaceful moment
London slumbered all around
and in the stillness of the hour
I could barely hear a sound

©Jemverse

 

Sunset kiss

Here are golden seas
As sun kisses water
and lovers unite

©Jemverse