Well, although the sun was shining
and some warmth was evident
it wasn't packing substance
to support a whole day spent
sitting by a beach hut
just looking at the sea
So I decided not to do that
quite unreservedly
Having said that, a no brainer
not to waste and not to squander
so as soon as I had breakfasted
I went out for a wander
Down through the streets of Shoreham
on the bright side of the street
to take in this lovely weather
and the glory of it greet
For days like this are precious
like a treasure in my hand
so every one I value
when they fall upon this land
I will lift my head up skyward
and as my eyes squint in the haze
I'll repeat again the thank you
for the pleasure of these days
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
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
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.
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
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
...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...
