Baking

Thought I’d do some baking
not baked in quite a while
as after all a fresh new loaf
is bound to bring a smile
So I found all the ingredients
and kneaded it and proved
then floured it and dusted
with the washing-up removed
Then with half an hour’s baking
a new loaf proudly stood
bringing with it satisfaction
and the smile I knew it would

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

With all that you read here

It didn’t trouble Wordsworth
or Longfellow or Dahl
as I’m sure when they were writing
you would never hear a snarl

So I won’t let it trouble me
for there is much in life
to write some joyful lines about
avoiding all the strife

So here to make that very point
though I’ll need to be quite snappy
are several lines to bring a smile
and leave you feeling happy

For that will be my motto
as we enter twenty-one
to by my poet’s gift ensure
each day I bring some fun

And yes I know that out there is
a lot to bring a tear
so you’ll find only those of joy
with all that you read here

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics (Stationary brings me joy – particularly new books to write my daily poems in. These three are from Venice in Italy)

Winter sun

The sun made an appearance
not seen it in a while
so its warmth upon my shoulder
brought again to me a smile
Polite again as always
it asked my where it should
and my reply as ever was
that anywhere was good

So nice to see its yellow rays
and sunbeam glow right there
nothing I can think of with
that joy to here compare
So I really hope it stays a while
to keep me company
as in these iron-cold winter months
it’s really what I need

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Positivity

Thinking positivity
something bright for smile
especially as now it seems
it’s lockdown for a while

We need a little brightness
something cheerful each day
to lighten mood and strengthen
if just in a small way

So here’s a little uplifter
in verse as is my gift
which I hope will do just that
for you and bring a lift

It isn’t much but anything
is better here than naught
and this seemed just the thing to do
for you here as I ought

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Things to do on hot days II

Sitting in the garden
in my favourite chair
in my favourite shirt from Greece
watching wildlife there
Little birds a flutter
tasting birdseed by my side
and other times a squirrel
have here I’ve often spied

For this is quiet, a haven
here of solitude and peace
unspoilt by nose of traffic
not often here at least
So as long as I keep still
and just watch a little while
I’m sure to be rewarded
with a visit for a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

That lavender time again V

Permeating everywhere
heaven’s scent again
that ‘lavender time’ is here once more
bring on that sweet refrain

An afternoon spent bagging it
that heady fragrance there
as I breathe in its loveliness
a thing beyond compare

And what is totally sublime
is that throughout the year
I simply have to squeeze a bag
to rekindle summer cheer

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

[In July each year, one of my favourite pastimes is a day spent bagging the dried crop from my annual lavender harvest. Although I’ve been doing this for years, the last five (2016 through 2020) have been marked with a ‘That lavender time again’ poem, added to Jemverse on 23 July each year]

Lighty-up-Llama

Last year I got a llama
for my birthday just for fun
it lights up of an evening
powered daily by the sun
And then glows different colours
as the evening takes a hold
from red to green to purple
and blue to yellow gold
At the bottom of our garden
it makes for cheery sight
as along with many others
it glows throughout the night

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Virtual hugs

What I wouldn’t give
for an actual real-life hug
but that’s not to be so when
we meet we smile and shrug
throw wide our arms as always
for a virtual one that’s best
under these cruel circumstances
Covid’s given us to test

But the social gatherings we have
at a distance in the sun
are things we all revel in
and enjoyed by everyone
So with every opportunity
afforded we will meet
and though the hugs are absent
just being there’s a treat

©Jemverse

Photo – virtual hugs at the beach hut – Jempics

Back to the beach hut

Got back to the beach hut
it’s been quite a while
so it’s good to be back
at the place with a smile
The wind was quite blowy
but the sunshine was out
and because of the wind
there was no-one about

The horizon was clear
on a sea of deep green
with white horses out there
the best we have seen
So good to be back here
we missed you so much
We couldn’t come sooner
but we’ve kept in touch

And we’ll make up for that now
for you’ve so much to teach
so much so in evidence
down here at the beach
And we’ll start with today
as it’s wonderful here
our beach hut in Lancing
which we hold so dear

©Jemverse

Photo – Us at our Beach Hut, Father’s Day 2020 – Bezza Croucher

Affirmation

Spent the day with family and Wolf
out in the bright summer sun
with social distancing observed as you do
for good conversation and fun

It almost felt normal and was for one thing
as we couldn’t get close for a hug
but even for that we’ve developed a thing
which we smile as we do with a shrug

The chance to just sit and natter away
and play with the Wolf for a while
is enough for us here, affirmation of life
to embrace as we do with a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jem with Wolfgang (‘Wolf’) not seen for 3 months – Bezza Croucher