Fading Now

It's fading fast but still remains
a shadow of its former shine
and yet this forlorn memory
is something I still cherish, mine

For though its owners are long gone
and its superstructure fails
there are some precious memories
which passing time quite oft regales

And as they fade there into time
the vista north steadfast and true
of precious Shoreham by the sea
remains there in its fading view

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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The whimsy of a long moment

Took a moment yesterday
to smile and drift away
somewhere very pleasant
where once we got to stay

It was a special moment
and I wanted it to last
so I really took some time
to make sure it slowly passed

In my mind’s eye there quite clearly
I saw everything which we
had shared when there together
my soulmate Sal, and me

So, lingering with whimsy
I stayed there for a while
to savour the long moment
with pleasure and a smile

And the lovely thing about it
is I’m sure it won’t be long
before the memory is reality
and the whimsy turns to song

©Jemverse

Photo – Pompeii, Italy – Jempics

A nod to summer

And though the darkness now appears
earlier each day
it’s good to see the summer lights
still twinkle here I’d say
For even though it’s cooler now
they speak of pleasure past
and keeps the memory intact
ensuring it will last

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Of shillings and treasure

I watched the shilling spinning
it was mine in no small measure
Enough to buy two Matchbox cars
to hold and keep and treasure
The fingers twisted blithely
as they caught and spun again
but I saw no abandon
found no one there to blame

For today was like a birthday
though mine was months away
when my uncle gave a shilling
on that special Saturday
And the Matchbox cars I purchased
for a purpose there to measure
are with me still as both I’ve held
and kept close as a treasure

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

19 February 1974

The knock at the door
I remember it well
though forty-six years have now passed
The vicar right there
with something to share
for a slap in the face that would last

It was anger I felt
with a fist in the air
that my father had left in that way
And I heard not a sound
from that hole in the ground
as I stood on that February day

It’s a picture I have
that years never fade
A boy of fifteen there bereft
Not a word of a lie
quite unable to cry
in spite of the void that was left

But thankfully time
the healer of ills
has mellowed the anger to love
And the man of those years
can now shed the tears
as he thinks of his father above

The slap in the face
has turned to a hug
lingering, precious and mine
and though there’s still sadness
there’s also a gladness
with his memory shared at this time

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

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

In pictures

I’ve been looking through my pictures
as I do from time to time
at photos I have taken
in the sunshine when it’s fine
others taken in the rain
or when walking by the sea
or up there on the Sussex hills
all precious here to me

For in each I see a something
of a moment captured there
a snapshot caught for memory
to treasure and to share

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Past & Present

Small boy on the beach
throws pebbles in the air
Can you see the circles spreading
Have they caught you unaware?

Small boy on the beach
chases waves that turn and fall
Can you hear the distant murmer
of that far off echoed call?

Small boy on the beach
walks tightrope on the groyne
Here is my mind’s eye picture
as past with present joins

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[Jemverse previously published this as ‘Small boy on the beach’ in July 2014]

Pictures II

Do you have a picture
one close to your heart
Capturing a moment
from which you cannot part?
Perhaps it looks like mine
though I have many, truth be told
Ones I will keep with me
Until I’m very old

They capture special moments
and I feel them every one
Some started many years ago
and some have just begun
Yet all of them are precious
and completely part of me
Pictures bringing substance
to a treasured memory

©Jemverse

 

The boy and the bindweed

Walking out at lunchtime
I saw down at my feet
something from my boyhood
and a memory was piqued
Bindweed on the way to school
white flowers on the way
Picked and popped at passers’ by
on every summer’s day

They grew there in abundance
and though trajectory was short
we didn’t really mind as
they gave merriment and sport
And yes, I know that they will irritate
gardeners nowadays
But then, in all my innocence
they were fun in lots of ways

©Jemverse

Forget me not

I’ll not forget forget-me-not
exquisite, small and blue
For it’s etched there in a memory
never to eschew

From May through late October
in the churchyard, on my way
How could I forget forget-me-not
for I see it every day?

©Jemverse