Ferry cross the Adur

On the corner of East Street the Ferry Rigg
keeps history alive with its name
though the vista to South with a century past
will never now quite be the same
For once cross the Adur the ferryman pulled
his oars for the people to cross
from the beach to the town for business and such
with a gain to the past and our loss

©Jemverse

Photo – from the author’s postcard collection

[Until a footbridge was constructed across the river Adur in Shoreham in 1910, the only passage from the beach to the town was via the ferry men. The original footbridge was replaced with a new one called ‘The Adur Ferry Bridge’ in 2013. The new bridge retraces the route of the original ferryman rowboat service across the river. The ‘Ferry Ring’ is a pub.]

A grin at nightfall

Caught a last glimpse on the river at dusk
of the sun as it ended the day
the evening came fast
now the daytime was past
and I couldn't expect it to stay

So I watched as the river down there in the gloom
slowly turned on the tide
as the night time set in
meeting there with my grin
which like it was silent and wide

©Jemverse

Photo – River Adur, Shoreham-by-Sea – Jempics

Release II

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

©Jemverse

Photo – The river Ouse at Lewes, East Sussex – Jempics

A stone’s throw

A stone’s throw from the hillside
and a stone’s throw from the beach
Gosh! I am a lucky fellow
to have this in easy reach

And what’s more I have a river
from the sea into the hills
so if I tire of either
I have that to bring the thrills

This really is a lovely place
this Shoreham by the sea
and there’s no other haven
where I think I’d rather be

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

To the river

There are steps to the water
and I don’t know why
Something with meaning
in times now passed by

Perhaps for a boatman
to access his craft
For trade on the river
to board fore and aft

Perhaps for some access
for folk who lived near
and needed to get
to the river right here

Suffice now to say
on this morning in June
it gives me a place
to hum a nice tune

and write down some words
of this place I have found
by the Thames here in Kew
with peace all around

©Jemverse

Photo – the Thames at Kew, West London, UK – June 2018 – Jempics

Peace

At Kew by the water
The Thames is quite low
It’s still early morning
and the river is slow
Time for respite
and peace by the trees
with only the sound
of birds in the leaves

©Jemverse

Photo – from #Jemverse on instagram, June 2018 – Jempics

At one

On the old oyster beds
as a tide at mid-ebb gurgles
and glints in the midday sun
Seagulls play and water shines

And across the way
this special moment grabs attention
and captured there I breathe it in
and am at one

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

On built up embankments

Standing on built up embankments
for a moment or two at midday
It’s a pleasure to see the old oyster beds
and seabirds out there at play
The sunshine plays on water
and I squint in the bright glare
relishing, despite the chill
that precious moment here

©Jemverse

©Photo – mudbanks and oyster beds, River Adur, West Sussex – Jempics

Brilliant

The glare was quite brilliant
from the bridge with the blue
and the sunshine so bright
that it looked almost new
The river was brimming
the tide really high
with soft wavelets lapping
as I wandered by
A bridge with a promise
brilliant to me
as it takes me across
from the town to the sea

©Jemverse

Photo – The Adur Ferry Bridge, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, UK. Taken from landward side looking south to beachward side – Jempics

It’s a gull’s life

“So, this wall in the sun
makes a great place to view
this town where we live
don’t you think, just us two?”

“You’re not wrong my friend
it’s a great place to be
down here by the river
not far from the sea”

“We can fish, we can fly
or just sit in the sun
It’s a gull’s life for us
and it’s plenty of fun”

“You said it, my friend
Living here is just great
and it’s better by far
with you for a mate”

©Jemverse

Photo – gulls on the new sea defence wall, river Adur, Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex – Jempics