Holiday VI

Five days off, I can scarce believe it
it’s been a tough few weeks
The hours I’ve worked
have been berserk
few troughs but many peaks

Relaxation guaranteed
the most I’ll make of this
There’ll be some sounds
and walks with hounds
in five days of pure bliss

Don’t get me wrong, I’m passionate
about the work I do
But everyone
needs time for fun
lacklustre to eschew

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

And…relax!

Yesterday come teatime
as today I can now speak
I finished what can only
be described as a long week
For I’d done my level best
as each day came and went
and failed most days as longer
hours on each I’d spent
But now I can relax
in a host of different ways
as now I am on leave
for at least the next six days

©Jemverse

Photo – calming seas – Jempics

This time last year II

This time last year
our bags were packed
and excitement it was growing
as we both knew
what we would do
and where we both were going

To somewhere hot
across the sea
four hours or so by plane
with nought to lose
to join a cruise
Croatia again

This time last year
the sunshine found
when autumn chill was here
First thing we did
with nothing hid
was drinking ice-cold beer

In somewhere hot
across the sea
escaping for a week
remembering
as our hearts sing
these memories to keep

©Jemverse

Photo – Dubrovnik old town, Croatia – Jempics

Reason to sing

1 of 10 in the Jemverse ‘On the beach’ series

I took a week off
it was a good choice
as there were good things
in which to rejoice

For starters the sunshine
decided to stay
and reboot the summer
in every way

The temperatures rose
to thirty or more
so it was back to the beach
‘cos that’s what it’s for

A September summer
is a wonderful thing
and with no work to do
good reason to sing

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Holiday V

First day of a week off work
and it’s a welcome thing
as I’m in need of a long rest
a chance to breathe and sing

Put my feet up for a while
with lie-ins every morning
Rising when more sensible
and not when day is dawning

The choice to do just as I like
freedom in the making
for a few days at the very least
in this week that I am taking

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

First XII

Concluding the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series [12 of 12]

Inevitably August time
when this month comes around
would see us looking forward
to a holiday we’d found
Somewhere hot and balmy
and usually on a ship
far across the ocean
for our destination trip

But this year it is staycation
abroad will have to wait
maybe next year in twenty-one
yes, that would be great
This year it’s way too risky
and the cruise ships are all banned
so we will stay on England’s shore
in this green, pleasant land

And if the August weather
stays kind and brings the sun
the beach will be the place to go
until each day is done
So I’m ending this long series
First of August, end of year
with hope for days of sunshine
which always bring good cheer

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[The ’12 months III’ series, concluding today, comprises twelve poems published on the 1st of each month starting with 190901. A new year-long series starts next month with ‘Beginning I’]

Another five days

I can rise when I like
but I’m up with the lark
as I want to see all of the day
For here are five more
for what lies in store
to do with as I like or I may

I may write a few words
over coffee at first
and then go and sit in the sun
Repot a plant
‘cos there’s nothing I can’t
do as I like til I’m done

I may chill to some music
on a will or a whim
or go for a walk on the hill
for I have five days
to appease my malaise
which I’ll use as I want and I will

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics (stock)

Jolly japes and cheer

Today I guess if truth be told
I start my holiday
Christmas and New Year, two weeks
Hip Hip, Hip Hip, Hooray!
I’m quite relaxed but that’s just me
as with most happenstance
I’m always up for jolly japes
when given half a chance
Two weeks to celebrate the joy
that Christmas brings each year
When we as family as one
have jolly japes and cheer

 

©Jemverse

Photo – Sally Croucher

Split II

12 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse

Sitting on deck six
with Split across the way
Picturing all the things
that have made this holiday

It has been all we hoped for
and though we fly home on the morrow
It is with happiness we’re leaving
and not one tinged with sorrow

For we’ve criss-crossed the Adriatic
seen sunshine and some rain
Visited new places and
been back to some again

We’re just a little browner
than we were a week ago
which judging by the time of year
is quite nice to have on show

And we’ve memories a-plenty
captured by the things we’ve seen
and the very many lovely
places this past week we’ve been

So now with quiet reflection
as the ship prepares to sail
returning to Dubrovnik
all these things here I regale

Split, this lovely city
perfect Swansong to this time
so I’ll end this little series
with that thought upon this line

©Jemverse

Photo – sunset over the Adriatic from Split, Croatia – Jempics

[‘Split II’ concludes the series of twelve poems capturing our autumn 2019 ‘Adriatic Affair’ cruise aboard the Marella Celebration. From 24 through 31 October we visited…
24/10 – Dubrovnik, Croatia (‘Finding Summer’ (02/11) and ‘Dubrovnik Divine’ (03/11))
25/10 – Hvar, Croatia (‘Hvar’ (04/11) and ‘Hoorah for Hvar’ (05/11))
26/10 – Ancona, Italy (‘Ancona Encore’ (06/11) and ‘Ancona II’ (07/11))
27/10 – Koper, Slovenia (‘Koper’ (08/11))
28/10 – Venice, Italy (‘Venice (touch & go)’ (09/11) and ‘Venice II’ (10/11))
29/10 – Rijeka, Croatia (‘Rijeka’ (11/11)), and
30/10 – Split, Croatia (‘An unexpected tricycle ride’ (12/11) and ‘Split II’ (13/11))
…before sailing back into Dubrovnik for the flight home on the 31st]

An unexpected tricycle ride

11 of 12 in ‘The Adriatic Affair’ series from Jemverse

Mario on his tricycle
caught us with his grin
Charmed us so much that we
agreed to go with him

Took us up through Marjan Park
round the headland of the bay
Showed us lots of things that
we’d have never seen today

The peace up in the forest
with pine fragrance in the air
was absolutely lovely
so we’re pleased he took us there

Showed us castles built into the rock
high up above the trees
as we caught glimpses here and there
of peaceful flat-calm seas

Then via Kasjuni beaches
Mario brought us back around
safely on his tricycle
to the walls of the old town

And shaking hands we parted
Split company you could say
(A play on words permitted
for this poem here today)

©Jemverse

Photo – lookout castles built into the rock, Split, Croatia – Jempics

[‘An unexpected tricycle ride’ is the penultimate of twelve poems capturing our autumn 2019 ‘Adriatic Affair’ cruise aboard the Marella Celebration. From 24 through 31 October we visited…
24/10 – Dubrovnik, Croatia (‘Finding Summer’ (02/11) and ‘Dubrovnik Divine’ (03/11))
25/10 – Hvar, Croatia (‘Hvar’ (04/11) and ‘Hoorah for Hvar’ (05/11))
26/10 – Ancona, Italy (‘Ancona Encore’ (06/11) and ‘Ancona II’ (07/11))
27/10 – Koper, Slovenia (‘Koper’ (08/11))
28/10 – Venice, Italy (‘Venice (touch & go)’ (09/11) and ‘Venice II’ (10/11))
29/10 – Rijeka, Croatia (‘Rijeka’ (11/11)), and
30/10 – Split, Croatia (‘An unexpected tricycle ride’ (12/11) and ‘Split II’ (13/11))
…before sailing back into Dubrovnik for the flight home on the 31st]