With Venus shining in the sky
for Galetea a sunset gleamed
and sixteenth century playwright vibes
descended to the place it seemed
L-G-B-T-Q-I-A
the message loud and clear
spoken, signed and acted
whilst the crowd applauded here
And as dusk fell into nightfall
with shadows gathered long
the yield of epilogue spoke true
of love's all-conquering song
Photo – Jempics (the bright glow in the centre is Venus in the Western sky over Shoreham)
[Galatea is an epic tale of love, transformation and acceptance, written by John Lyly in the 1580s and adapted for the 21st century by Emma Frankland, an award-winning LGBTQIA theatre-maker and performer. Galatea premiered at the 2023 Brighton Festival on Shoreham recreation ground in the week ending 20th May]
I don’t ask for much in life
I settle for the least
A bed to sleep in, warm at night
And now and then a feast
A little exercise most days
In the garden, out the back
Some water there to quench my thirst
And perhaps. sometimes. a snack
Yet in return for these small things
I’ll be a life-long friend
Always there to welcome you
On me you can depend
For I am faithful to the last
Ever by your side
I’ll be a true companion
In whom you can confide
I’m always pleased to see you
Whenever that might be
No matter how you’re feeling
For that’s part of being me
For I am dog you understand
A canine through and through
Unequivocally there to be
A special friend for you
‘Unconditional‘ was first posted to Jemverse in January 2015
[Today concludes the ‘My very best’ series – a selection of 12 of the many thousands of poems I’ve written to date in my 50+ years as a poet. There are many more I could have picked so perhaps there’ll be a ‘My very best II’ at some point. Who knows? One thing is certain; I’ll not stop writing!]
I remember the day, the falling from grace
with a knock at the door and a slap in the face
as the vicar stood there with chagrin and poise
whilst the words hit me hard with the loudest of noise
My father was gone, no more to return
forlorn, devastated, my fifteen years spurned
But I rose from that moment and grew with a strength
that lessened the pain at last and at length
Though no February passes when I don't think of him
forty-nine long years later, eyes full to the brim
It's a sad day remembered yet of one I am proud
for with it to his memory I will always shout loud
Once many years ago a girl and a boy
in the pottery room with some clay
had a play fight, threw some and laughed
fell in love with each other that day
Grew into soulmates, kindred spirits to last
got married in the summer and then
saw many years together as one
and best and inseparable friends
So here in the year of the water rabbit
and forty-five valentines later
the boy to the girl in their sixty-fourth year
knows their love is now only the greater
Forty-three years ago
nineteen seventy-nine
two soulmates in love
their lives they combined
and we've never looked back
from that lovely day
as our love has grown deeper
it's quite true to say
Two kindred spirits
we soulmates as one
raise a glass here today
for more years of fun
Thirty years ago today
two star-crossed lovers wed
and as years passed their love it grew
throughout the life they led
So to celebrate their special day
a pearl of best persuasion
for this their anniversary
befits this grand occasion
Nineteenth February time after time
and though 48 years, still etched in my mind
that overcast day and the falling from grace
from a knock at the door and a slap in the face
snatched the father away from the boy of fifteen
who in formative years was the worst kind of mean
and though time has healed the wound is still raw
so on this day every year he remembers and more
as he still sees him clear in his mind's eye and knows
that despite passing years the love never goes
Forty-four valentines sent on this day
to the same person one love to stay
my best friend and soulmate hip hip hooray
married for forty-three years
Forty-four valentines all made by hand
with words I have crafted, all of them planned
to repeat oft the promise sealed with gold band
throughout all the joy and the tears
Forty-four valentines sent here to you
my one love my constant my true upon true
with many more coming before we are through
this one's for you with three cheers
Went to a birthday party
in Surrey, Saturday night
took us a while to get there
but that was quite alright
Loud cheers when we got there
the celebrations had begun
so we hurried there to join them
so we'd not miss out the fun
And we found the cheers had purpose
for the birthday and for now
as my brother had got married
on his birthday with a vow
Charles and Geoff now family proper
overjoyed does not come close
celebrating birthday marriage
on this day to juxtapose
I am a proud and elder brother
this is the best news in a while
exuberant jubilation
evident within my smile
Things have changed a little
here in Worthing over time
as there was no big wheel here
back in nineteen seventy-nine
Forty-two years passed since then
yet we two still are here
soulmates then and soulmates now
in our forty-second year
They say that love grows stronger over time
well, we'll attest to that
as here we are still holding hands
a total truth in fact
Yes, some things change as years go by
but forever me and you
forty-two years wed and and still
a love steadfast and true
...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 