Darkened the tunnel beckoned
as sunlight filtered through
so gingerly I ventured
to the sylvan place I knew
The sound of trickled water
from the river down below
brought comfort to my quickened step
with beauty there on show
And together all this acquiesced
to hallowed moments there
the closest thing to heaven
which I dare now here to share
[In the ‘Colloquy’ series, I’m exploring some of the English language’s more obscure words. Some little used, some no longer used but all recondite. ‘Sylvan’ is an adjective and defines as living or located in the woods or forest]
Don't get the wrong impression
my colleagues, reading this
as I'm not one for fudgel
as for me my work is bliss
But on occasion there are times
especially of late
when a fudgel is more common
in attempts to graciate
As with retirement looming
ever closer now these days
I find myself succumbing to
a new relaxing phase
[In the ‘Colloquy’ series, I’m exploring some of the English language’s more obscure words. Some little used, some no longer used but all recondite. ‘Fudgel’ is a verb and is defined as the act of giving the impression you’re working when you’re not.]
I have an inclination
one deep-seated, born of dream
partly wishful thinking but
ever-growing with a smile of whimsy
to which I will return from time to time
For it is something to cherish
teetering on the brink of promise
[In the ‘Colloquy’ series, I’m exploring some of the English language’s more obscure words. Some little used, some no longer used but all recondite. ‘Velleity’ is a noun and is defined as a wish or inclination not yet strong enough to lead to action.]
'For not' or 'not for'
in juxtaposition
two different meanings
for intent or for mission
Language of substance
for writer and poet
who will always exploit
as it's they who will know it
We coddiwompled in the mud
up at Barcombe Mills
all eight of us together
amidst the Sussex hills
The rain held off but underfoot
the mud was thick and wet
but we all had the best of times
so never cause to fret
The Anchor Inn was closed
but we really didn't mind
as this was just the perfect walk
coddiwompling here to find
Photo – “The Beans at Barcombe – December 2022” – Jempics
[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. ‘Coddiwomple’ is slang for travelling in a purposeful way towards a vague destination]
Twenty-nine letters; testament to the fact
that in estimation and to be exact
the action describing this noun in these words
is so far from worthless as to be absurd
[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. ‘Floccinaucinihilipilification’ is a noun and is the habit of estimating something as worthless]
I’m happy when writing
It fills me with joy
and it’s done this for ages
(since I was a boy)
I’ve written most days
sometimes just a few lines
to capture the years
the moments and times
It’s the nuance of words
and their juxtaposition
And then fitting them in
to each composition
And the finding of rhyme
to capture my mood
Occasionally cheeky
but never plain rude
It’s the beauty of language
and telling a tale
in just a few lines
each day to regale
So I’ll carry on writing
for it’s something I do
And I’m pretty you’d
do the same, wouldn’t you?
...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 