Lavender by the wall

I didn't plant this lavender
that's growing by the wall
in fact I'm really quite surprised
that it is growing here at all

It must have grown from seed of course
from the crop I grow each year
and a stray stem I must have missed
though I'm careful, let's be clear

To harvest every one of those
as precious they all are
so I'm careful not to miss a one
I'm most particular

And yet the evidence is here
growing on its own
a lavender to cultivate
from a small seed not sown

But I will treasure it the same
as all the others here
for another crop of loveliness
I get from year to year

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

This time last year IV

This time last year
the weather was mellow
and in spite of restrictions
a fortunate fellow
was able to cycle
out on the trail
as sunsets of gold
were made to regale

And in light quickly fading
a poem was written
to capture the moment
with which he was smitten
Words duly published
on Jemverse that year
which now I can read
to rekindle that cheer

But don't get me wrong
no lacklustre faced
optimistic as always
that time is released
by new wonders daily
for joy and for pleasure
which with recollection
I have for treasure

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

 

Treasure Trove II

I get lost in a good bookshop
they are like a treasure trove
and fortunately Lewes town
has them in spades and droves
So of a Wednesday morning
with the sunshine proving warm
we drove there for a browsing
which for us has been the norm
And in a darkened basement
I found Nirvana waiting there
shelves of ancient volumes
just waiting there to share
their secrets with the reader
who will in their pages find
the treasures that I speak of
for the soul and for the mind
Yes, I get lost in a good bookshop
for with patience and good measure
I know that every time I come
I'll find a waiting treasure.

©Jemverse

Photo – Emily Rose Croucher

Easter Egg Hunt

I’m devising an Easter egg hunt

it’s a giggle

as I had to squeeze into some spots

with a wiggle

too cunningly hide the eggs

with some guile

as my children have been at this

for quite a while

so they all know the places that

I pick for hiding

which means that deception

is now residing

to find nooks and crannies and

difficult places

to keep them all busy with

smiles on their faces

as all of my children are

grown adults now

the clues have got harder

and harder somehow

But they’ll use their wisdom and

collective endeavour

to solve all the problems I’ve set

‘cos they’re clever

And when they are done and all

eggs have been found

we’ll share some Bucks Fizz with

good cheer all round

For the joy of delivery comes straight

from the heart

and the prize of completion is

just taking part

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Lucidity

In moments of lucidity
with my eyes open wide
I clearly see what needs to be
out here and from inside
With 20/20 vision
I take a good look all around
absorbing everything I need
from heavens to the ground
And then when I am satisfied
these treasures I will store
for moments of lucidity
when I will see some more

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Sun reaching

Caught the end of the sun
and the last golden ray
out over the houses
at the end of the day

It was like a lost treasure
as with arms wide to clasp
to it I reached out
though outside my grasp

Still, there will be more
with the treasure all mine
when it’s safe to be out there
on days when it’s fine

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Frosted Teazles

The teasels through the fence
had had a frosting overnight
and now in three-tree field
they were caught in pale sunlight
And as the sheep in lower field
paused and looked so I did too
to gaze upon this wonder
well, you would now, wouldn’t you?

For this is winter glory
at its best despite the cold
essential here to capture
so the story can be told
And I trust that you’ll appreciate
both the picture and prose
of the treasure in that moment
in the field there as I froze

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Christmas week VI

6 of 7 in the Jemverse ‘Christmas week’ series

T’was the day after Christmas
twenty-sixth of December
and if I say so myself
a one to remember

For this year as we know
has been naff to extreme
the worst one in fact
that the world has yet seen

But despite all the naffness
we have still come together
for the best of good times
we will treasure forever

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

True Measure

Mesmorised here
I stand in wonder
with bated breath waiting
Lost in a temporary pause
as momentum gathers
for a true measure

Rippled the water
as raindrops disturb
and a reflection fails
Lost in a temporary pause
it gathers momentum
revealing treasure

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Pilgrim’s Progress

Found a copy of the ‘Progress’
it was just three ninety-nine
from the Oxfam shop in Worthing
thought, ‘I’d like that to be mine’

So I gave the lady waiting
the price there on the back
and took the volume home with me
to place on my bookrack

It will now have a pride of place
though first I’ll have a read
of those familiar chapters
many times my mind has freed

Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’
one of the very best
of which I’ve several copies
this new one and the rest

Long has it been a favourite
and one read many times
but still a joy to read again
those loved familiar lines

So I’m rather pleased I found it
and took it home with me
as it now becomes a treasure
with the others naturally

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics