Six

6 of 7 in the ‘Seven Haikus 22 series’ from Jemverse

Life moves ever on
Moments captured and cherished
Forging memories

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Visiting my used to be

Once in a while those halcyon days
with an echo call out from the years
and with whimsy in hand I'll visit those days
of my formative smiles and my tears
I'll see in mind's eye with clarity there
the memories of what was once me
and though I still am and proud of the fact
it's nice to see my used to be

©Jemverse

Photo – Me & Mrs C punting at Oxford, UK – circa 1979

Days gone

In Regency Square
where once stood the Pier
Victorian splendour
still evident here
but time has moved on
and the 360 high
is now the feature
high up in the sky

Yet standing here now
the future I hold
is recalling the heyday
('cos yes, I'm that old)
when the West Pier still stood
as a visual feast
besting the new one
a mile to the east

And none of the brash
we see here today
was even a thought
to get in our way
Slower those days
I think then than now
and I can't help but feel
we've lost something somehow

But though those days are gone
mind's eyes' not prevented
from memories clear
and with that I'm contented
For in Regency Square
I still stand and can here
see those halcyon days
when still stood the West Pier

©Jemverse

Photo – Brighton’s i-360 tower from Regency Square – Jempics

Treasures

On the table outside
are memories we treasure
rocks and pebbles from Dorset
hold joy beyond measure

Some fossils, all lovely
some plain and some not
we love every one
and are pleased with the lot

And they're out there for purpose
to get wet in the rain
for then we can see them
as we found them again

Fresh, wet from the sea
with their lines and their form
which fascinated us then
and now our table adorn

Our treasures from Dorset
for us always to hold
displayed in our garden
and as precious as gold

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

This time last year IV

This time last year
the weather was mellow
and in spite of restrictions
a fortunate fellow
was able to cycle
out on the trail
as sunsets of gold
were made to regale

And in light quickly fading
a poem was written
to capture the moment
with which he was smitten
Words duly published
on Jemverse that year
which now I can read
to rekindle that cheer

But don't get me wrong
no lacklustre faced
optimistic as always
that time is released
by new wonders daily
for joy and for pleasure
which with recollection
I have for treasure

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

 

For Pops

Look at me now Pops, I’m an older man now
I’m past sixty, the years have flown by
That slap in the face
has long turned to grace
yet still on this day I will cry

Nineteenth of February nineteen seventy-four
etched in my mind for all time
The day that you left
leaving family bereft
although all these years later we’re fine

Just four of us left now, Mum with you now
We are older and wiser and free
Yet still we recall
as the years pass and fall
with that promise that one day we’ll see

So this one’s for you Pops, this day I remember
once a year with a glass in the air
As with happiness here
with you share a beer
and the memories happily share

©Jemverse

In loving memory of my father – John Alan Croucher (10/5/34 to 19/2/74)

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

Yesterdays

I gathered all my memories
lest they faded to the past
No melancholy there
but I wanted them to last
For collectively they’ve shaped me
into what I am today
Precious to hold onto
as my tomorrow’s seize the day

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

This town of mine

Someone sent a photograph
of how it used to be
Shoreham when I was a lad
Evoked a memory

Walking home from school each day
climbing up the wall
Jumping on the old bomb there
never once to fall

The den up in the manor
on the edge of Buckingham Park
where we’d hide and read our comics
and stay ’til it got dark

The sea defences on the beach
near to the harbour’s arm
Ignored our parents’ warning
though we never came to harm

The ruined house in Kingston Lane
its air-raid shelters gave
us reason for adventures
in the dark just like a cave

So many memories I have
of times now gone before
when Shoreham was a different place
this town on Sussex shore

But something nurtured way back then
has stood the test of time
As I’m still here and call this home
This lovely town of mine

©Jemverse

 

Moments of sublime

I went walking on a hilltop
though I wasn’t really there
And then I was beside the sea
with toes in water bare

I went climbing on a mountain
though it was I think a dream
As really I was looking back
at places I had been

Photos captured on my Mac
of memories in time
Providing for nostalgia
for moments of sublime

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics