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

First X

10 of 12 in the Jemverse ’12 months III’ series

The sixth month of the year arrives
here with the first of June
Summer smiles a welcome
singing here a happy tune
Sun shines down from clear blue skies
a little dance seems right
expression of the sentiment
we have with this in sight

Nature’s green abundant growth
with colour in between
as flowers open wide their bloom
to be the best they’ve been
June we always welcome you
the summer in our heart
marked upon your first day here
to herald in the start

©Jemverse

Photo Jempics

With a smile

When night falls in our garden
it seems now as if to us
something magical happens
just like that without fuss

For with the day’s fading
little lights of colour come
transforming there our haven
until the night time’s done

So whether day or darkness
we can sit out there a while
and soak up all the magic there
with whimsey and a smile

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Sedoka week IV (Wednesday)

4 of 7

Holding close that thought
the curl of a smile takes hold
and turns into laughter loud
there in the face of
menacing adversity
I stand proud and tall and firm

©Jemverse

Photo – ‘Painter by Ferryboat’ – woodcut on paper – Yamada Basuke (©1930)

Sedoka is a japanese poetry form comprising 38 syllables spread over 6 non-rhyming lines with a syllabic sequence of 5,7,7, 5,7,7

Sunshine as a friend

Yellow, warming
lifts my soul
Catches, comforts
makes me whole
Brings a shoulder
to console
the sunshine as a friend

Gives a smile
when scarce are they
Keeps the blues
quite well away
Brings a welcome
to the day
the sunshine as a friend

Heals me always
ever there
Sometimes hidden
sometimes rare
But always with
a joy to share
the sunshine as a friend

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Weekends II

So another week passes
and reaches its end
with two days of rest
waiting there like a friend
Arms open wide with
a smile on its face
it welcomes you in
and slows down the pace
Makes you a coffee
or a hot cup of tea
relaxing as always
and totally free

So the feeling is mutual
handshakes for good measure
as we leave the week passed
for two days of leisure

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics