Penultimate

The week that's passed, I believe will be
the penultimate week I'm away
on business for the work that I do
hip hip hip, hooray!

I know that I won't miss this thing
these business trips and travel.
One less small inconvenience
I'll not need to unravel

And yes I've seen the country
on the journeys I have known
but, truth be told, I'd rather
stay comfortable at home

So now that this penultimate
week away I can now shun
it's one more item off the list
ticked and checked and done

©Jemverse

Photo – the inside of Kings Cross station, London – Jempics

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Where the heart is

I travelled long the length of England
stayed away for several days
and then for several hours found
a path back to Southern ways

As home is where the heart is
so it's good to get back there
even though these travels are
something to love and share

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Newcastle III

I'm back in Newcastle, it's been a fair while
but this city of bridges still brings a smile
so don't saddle me with mundane or purile
for these are words from the heart

It's a few degrees colder, I'll give you that
but I have a warm coat and some gloves and a hat
so don't take me for a weak Southern brat
for these are words from the heart

There are cities in England I've visited oft
but Newcastle is one which I hold aloft
so don't think of me as anything soft
for these are words from the heart

Yes I'm a southerner from the south coast
Shoreham-by-Sea as home playing host
but I'm happy to share of my travels and post
for these are words from the heart

©Jemverse

Photo – Newcastle-on-Tyne – Jempics

Newcastle II

I'm bound back for Newcastle
it's been quite a while
since here I have travelled
but now with a smile
I'm back to the city
through which flows the Tyne
for work, yes but seeing
some good friends of mine
so I know we will share
some pints at a Tap
before in a couple
of days I head back

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Three Days

With darkness outside at the end of the night
I am tired and stifle a yawn
it is quiet and yet still I'm up with the lark
at this early hour shy of the dawn
And I have to say pleased it is only three days
each week that this I must do
as today I am feeling my sixty plus years
and would gladly these long days eschew
Just one more to master and then some respite
four days of a weekend in store
to chill and relax and slumber enjoy
before heading back for three more

©Jemverse

Photo – Looking up at the Shard, London Bridge Station, just after dawn – Jempics

Commuting again

Tomorrow I'm back in London again
commuting up there on the train
leaving at dawn when no-one's about
travelling daily again
There's a bit of excitement but also a doubt
as Covid has not left us yet
but I'm boostered and jabbed and protecting myself
so I've really no reason to fret

It's back to Westminster so a walk through the park
daily is what I will do
for unless it is raining and blowing a gale
I'm avoiding the risk of the tube
I've a good book and music and a game on my Switch
so I will make the most of this time
and I'm sure the long hours will pass in a flash
and the journey and days will be fine

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Stations

With its long reach
this station clad
with many journeys
I have had
Over the years
to different places
some with airs
and some with graces
Quiet, it exudes
a charm
which here has never
done me harm
A comfort even
home from home
from all the stations
I have known
For this is Shoreham
part of me
in this town
beside the sea

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Normality

It's a first for me today
no trains for quite time
not since the first lockdown
have I braved the ridden line

And yet today to Worthing
I must venture yet again
for my first day in an office
and a journey on a train

So I'm taking all precaution
best foot forward and the rest
to make the day enjoyable
my safety to invest

And I know that it will all be fine
despite the butterflies
that I've now got in my tummy
which I guess is no surprise

So Shoreham station here I come
to travel on a train
and take another step to bring
normality again

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

The whimsy of a long moment

Took a moment yesterday
to smile and drift away
somewhere very pleasant
where once we got to stay

It was a special moment
and I wanted it to last
so I really took some time
to make sure it slowly passed

In my mind’s eye there quite clearly
I saw everything which we
had shared when there together
my soulmate Sal, and me

So, lingering with whimsy
I stayed there for a while
to savour the long moment
with pleasure and a smile

And the lovely thing about it
is I’m sure it won’t be long
before the memory is reality
and the whimsy turns to song

©Jemverse

Photo – Pompeii, Italy – Jempics

The Bridge Hotel

Down the back steps is a courtyard
overlooking city walls
high above the valley
from where the Tyne it calls
Adjacent to High Level Bridge
its namesake for to trace
The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle
quite special to this place

©Jemverse

Photo – High Level Bridge from the courtyard of The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle, UK – Jempics