Had ten days last month for wonderful things
to all bring a joy and pull at heartstrings
Places to visit and things to see there
taking photos to later re-live and re-share
Ten days of staycation what more could I need
when living in Sussex for this life that I lead?
As Sussex has all the 'joie de vivre' I desire
with its people and places and things I admire
So whenever a moment affords this release
I'm happy in Sussex as at home I find peace
At Stopham Bridge, late summer
with cool waters down below
as the Arun slowly trickles
on a turning tide quite slow
Sitting on the decking of the
White Hart across the way
this view is quite breathtaking
on this peaceful summer day
Tranquil here the setting
this place amongst the best
of my favourites in Sussex
where I'll always come to rest
3 of 12 in the Jemverse summer 22 series ‘Melting Days’
At the eve of this day
I will dip my toes in cooling waters
and there will be the lap of an ebbing tide
and the taste of salt on my lips
and there I will find peace
Once some several years ago
In hallowed ground near here
I bowed and offered humber prayer
the beach and sea quite near
A little chapel on the shore
at Easter time at home
with crown of thorns up on the wall
for people to atone
And now as then on Saturday
the sun becomes the son
as at Easter his forgiveness
is complete for everyone
Found myself walking along the Broadwalk
heading into the mist
the sunshine was there above me somewhere
as the sky and the shingle there kissed
Ethereal silence descended as I
strode eastward along on my walk
giving passers by room as they grew from the gloom
with whispers there as they talked
and it was cathartic and pleasant for me
with barely a ripple of breeze
winter cold still but healing the ill
as I wandered close there to the sea
So we all walked back to Charmouth
early morning 'round sunrise
with mist in all the valleys
and a glow atop the rise
Took us about an hour
then we walked right back again
as the sun climbed higher brightly
in the east from whence it came
The splendour nature offered
all around was as a treasure
which all of us admired
good measure for good measure
And with dewdrop diamonds shining
we felt enriched beyond decree
in this really special place
where we wandered peacefully
Before the Dorset sun retired
at the end of a fine day
we went for a small wander
down the lanes around this way
At the crossroads we went straight ahead
as it seemed the thing to do
passed by the Crooch Farm courtyard
'neath a cloudless sky of blue
The rays of golden sunshine
glinted precious through the trees
as down the lanes and twittens
we wandered 'neath the leaves
squeezing into hedgerows
as a seldom car went past
this seemed a quaint existence
most refreshing change to fast
And we smiled a knowing smile
at the peace this place exuded
feeling quite at ease opposed
to anything excluded
Far from it, this was home from home
this Dorset countryside
as slow the sun sank in the West
to match our wandering stride
Conclusion fitting both we thought
as in unison we turned
to retrace our evening footsteps
with a new life lesson learned
For here was pure tranquility
with pace so far removed
from that which we had left behind
yet here with pleasure soothed
The deep blue of this summer sky
is quite enough for me
here in the field of seven trees
where Obi runs quite free
These really are our special times
this hour each week we spend
and, truth be told, for sanity
on this we both depend
For it is a solace, comfort too
to walk an hour here
at the evening of a weekend
to fill our hearts with cheer
Pit patter of rain
on the water down there
almost silent the sound
but lovely to share
and watching it fall
yes every small drop
I am mesmerised here
lest it should now stop
Pit patter of rain
the circles at start
concentric the spread
from the very heart
and watching them fall
to this precious scene
is a magical place
I have so often been
Pit patter of rain
as a summer befalls
with the warmth of the air
as each raindrop calls
is something to cherish
as an antonym here
to something that's good
not something to fear
In Lewes on the river path
we walked beside the Ouse
watched it flow in from the sea
meandering to use
That aged water, aged flow
o'er many years has seen
and where along its grassy banks
many souls have been
In Lewes Wolfgang, Sal and I
in spite of summer rain
walked up beside the river
as we are back here again
That aged water, aged flow
cathartic here today
releasing the endorphins
in every single way
...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 