On this September morning
sunshine greeted me again
and as this could be the summer's swansong
no one could lay the blame
if today instead of working
to the beach I went instead
to seize the opportunity
and by my heart be led
So that's what I resolved to do
'no brainer' some would say
as it's not often in September
that it's as hot as this today
Ne'r a cloud above in sight
the sky the deepest blue
with a breeze from early summer
I'd forgotten that I knew
And of course I found a hagstone
for my collection of such things
another treasure from the place
that pulls at my heartstrings
This beach, this perfect haven
here in Sussex by the sea
which at the summer's swansong
is the only place to be
Photo – Jempics (a ‘hagstone’ is found pebble with a natural hole right through, sculpted by the sea). I have not left a Sussex beach without at least one for as long as I can remember. So I have a great many hagstones now!
Scattered there at random
in the Springtime round about
the flower seeds for summer
of which we had some doubt
And yet today amongst the beans
which are growing now quite tall
a single yellow sunflower
appears though still quite small
Having said that, it is lovely
and encapsulates the sun
which here now it's late August
we have seen with warmth begun
which I hope and trust will stay
for several days at least
to accompany some summer
with this perfect visual feast
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
August undecided
change and fickle shows
with one day sun but next of rain
so no-one really knows
Summer warmth remains though
a constant there to hold
at least for the time being
before it turns to cold
But I'm not all that bothered
so with all that August brings
I'll still enjoy each day it gives
as my voice always sings
August undecided
but there's a mystery here
as no-one knows what to expect
around this time of year
I would go to the beach hut
if not for the rain
which is making it feel
like winter again
Or maybe a wander
up there on the hill
as it doesn't much matter
if I keep dry until
the sod of fair Sussex
under my feet
is trodden again
to make life complete
But instead I think I'll
stay at home in the dry
and watch as this wet
summer day passes by
And just as I thought 'It's cooler today'
the sun put its hat on and said
"I'll have none of that, here's the summer you need"
and shone down warm on my head
So I gave it a wave with a nonchalant glance
which I knew it would see by the way
as I settled down to the summer I knew
on this lovely warm August day
I played with my shadow
in the evening sunshine
it gave me a wave
so I knew it was mine
We both laughed aloud
at the shapes we made there
and didn't much mind
if it made people stare
But as the sun slipped down low
we bade fond adieu
as we know we'll be back
well you would, wouldn't you?
I came down to the beach
after a long and arduous day
the sunshine still quite high
and quite hot still I would say
I walked the four miles there
with my AirPods in my ears
listening to Underworld
as I have done for years
And when an hour later
at the beach hut I hold dear
I cracked open a bottle
for a welcome cooling beer
Then I sat down in the sunshine
as is dropped down in the west
relishing the warmth
at this time of day, the best
The sky was cloudless blue
and the sea reflected there
the wonder of the summer
late July gave us to share
Summer in abandon
grey and rainy every day
sometimes very windy
and quite miserable I'll say
The sun has gone on holiday
and left us quite alone
which isn't very thoughtful
as we're still stuck at home
So long days lounging on the beach
are absent at this time
as are evenings out the back
with a warm glass of wine
But just around the corner
August waits with bated breath
so perhaps there is a glimmer
for us here, the bereft
For though we all may grumble
it's amazing how the sun
shows how short the memory
is in everyone
Fickle we may be, but hey
it's summer after all
and it's not that much to ask
so 'sunshine' hear the call!
Every year my lavender
features on this day
The twenty-third of each July
no matter, come what may
For this as each year passes
is that lavender time again
celebrating harvest time
from sunshine and the rain
And culminating in
this fragrance so divine
which comes from all the lavender
I pick around this time
Photo – one of my 2021 lavender harvests in my Sussex Trug – Jempics
‘That lavender time again’ is a theme recurring on an annual basis when, on 23rd July, I publish a new poem in the series. Here are trackbacks to the previous outings – (2020), (2019), (2018), (2017) & (2016)
...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...
