More summer

It’s miserable out there
so I think today I’ll stay
cosy here inside my home
and simply have a play

The wind is blowing boisterous
and the sky is full of rain
But it’s summer and July so
the sun will come again

So I’ll spend a day inside
play some music, have a read
as the forecast for the morrow
is more summer here indeed

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

41

The suit I’d purchased for twenty-five quid
all I could afford at the time
just after my twentieth birthday
my life waiting there on the line

The tie was one of my fathers’
as were the shoes on my feet
His passing was five years too early
to see his son’s wedding complete

Now forty-one years have surrendered
themselves to the life we have led
since that day way back in seventy-nine
when Sally and Jeremy wed

And our love it grows ever stronger
kindred soulmates we are both as one
our life just one big adventure
since that day when it was begun

©Jemverse

Sal & Jem’s wedding day – 7th July 1979 [Photo: Josse Davis – Jem’s best man]

To see where I hide

I have a small corner
with a chair and a cushion
Comfortable, it is a place to hide
albeit in plain sight
It is here that I escape into music
to while away hours lost to rhythm
safe in the knowledge
that this is my place
My sacrosanct
My place to hide
And dream
And breathe

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Simply back

Simply back together again
the six of us once more
was absolutely all that
we’ve been really waiting for

‘Normal’ is a word that I
think has lost its meaning
at least now here in context
and the way the world is leaning

But the chance to re-unite
our family – six as one
brought us all a joy which
is second here to none

©Jemverse

Photo- all six Crouchers re-united at Hut 101 – Jempics

Simple pleasures

Writing in my little book
really brings me pleasure
just crafting lines of poetry
to hold and yes, to treasure
I just can’t stop myself I find
I simply have to write
be that in the daytime
or late into the night

As when the words are out there
the poet has no choice
but to sit and write and capture them
so others can rejoice

For when the reader sits there
and sees in their mind’s eye
the place the words they came from
and smiles and breathes a sigh
that magic is repeated
time and time again
with lines re-read, repeated
in a poem’s sweet refrain

And if as me a poet
can, when writing takes a hold
capture just a part of that
it’s as precious as pure gold

For though stopping isn’t possible
it’s really nice to know
that pleasure is repeated
from my words when in full flow
So I’ll take that simple pleasure
as I really like to give
pouring out the joy that comes
from words that simply live

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Leisure Days

Sometimes you need leisure days
when slowing down is good
Cathartic, they restore the soul
so you really know you should
I had one of those yesterday
as the forecast was for rain
and some things they needed doing
and they wouldn’t wait again

As it turned out though the sunshine
came out bright and hot once more
but by then I was quite resolute
for what there lay in store
I found the braddle lurking
(we had lost it for a while)
and there it was right on the shelf
(which gave me pause for smile)

I cleared the shed out by the door
and hung some hooks for stuff
which took me up to lunchtime
when I had had enough
So I found a Badger beer
and sat out in the sun
to write a little poem
as the sorting out was done

By and by I think a wander
is not a bad idea
perhaps down to the waterline
if the coast is clear
And later on if rains they come
as seems likely by the sky
I’ll sit inside with music
and watch it rolling by

For all of this is parcel
to the leisure of the day
when both productive and relaxing
contribute in a way
as sometimes we need leisure days
they really are quite good
for sorting out and finding stuff
Go on! You know you should.

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Affirmation

Spent the day with family and Wolf
out in the bright summer sun
with social distancing observed as you do
for good conversation and fun

It almost felt normal and was for one thing
as we couldn’t get close for a hug
but even for that we’ve developed a thing
which we smile as we do with a shrug

The chance to just sit and natter away
and play with the Wolf for a while
is enough for us here, affirmation of life
to embrace as we do with a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jem with Wolfgang (‘Wolf’) not seen for 3 months – Bezza Croucher

Adaptation

Adaptation is a precious thing
as it proves that we are able
to make the very best of things
when cards are on the table
I speak of course of Covid
and the lockdown and the change
it’s brought worldwide to all of us
as we all re-arrange
There’s been loss and there’s been sadness
as the pandemic’s taken hold
taking toll from everyone
from young to very old

And everyone has had to change
to lives so different now
yet with most of us adapting
getting on with life somehow
And I wonder if when cure is found
the life that once we knew
will be something we’ve forgotten
and will actively eschew
Part of me hopes that we will
for this lockdown it has taught
that life’s for the adapting
and the difference it has brought

A life that’s far more tolerant
and slower now in pace
as we come to realisation
of a different human race
One that’s less subservient
to selfishness and greed
and acts instead with kindness
to those of us with need
Yes adaptation is a good thing
and though Covid’s not yet done
I feel there is a promise here
of better things to come

©Jemverse

Picture – ‘Lockdown Splash #1’ by the author

First Lavender III

We’ve not been to our allotment
Covid-19’s seen to that
But Emily our daughter
has been keeping it intact
We’re seeing lots of pictures
which she takes from time to time
and I’m pleased to say as ever
that it’s looking mighty fine

But no substitute the pictures
for actually being there
and by that we’re disappointed
as the work we’d like to share
But in spite of that of course
the allotment keeps on growing
and Emily, bless her heart
continues with the sowing

So imagine my delight
when today she brought a gift
Something from our allotment
my spirits for to lift
First lavender in its glory
fragrant, wonderful, sublime
With the promise of abundance
when it’s lavender picking time

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Time passing

So the sun sets on the month of May
and June is almost here
already we have seen pass by
not far off half a year
Unsure where that time has gone
it’s happened quite so fast
and life has changed dramatically
and looks quite set to last

But though I have some downer days
I’m upbeat ‘most the time
as life around continues
and the summer weather’s fine
So although lockdown continues
I’ll keep writing here til we
can celebrate and see the time
when we can all be free

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics