January’s iron heart

Holding court o'er frosted mornings
as winter does its thing
and January light holds frail
whilst jesters feebly sing
the promise of a warmer clime
is vacant here and scarce
visible the absence from
the heart of one who cares
Yet still with hope resilient
resolve gains gradual muster
as subtle signs of coming Spring
break through the chill lacklustre

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Too cold in the field

Too cold in the field
in the rain yesterday
so wrapped up in a towel
I came back from the fray
my little legs sank
right up to my chest
on the waterlogged ground
so I needed a rest
quite soon when I got there
as it wasn't nice
and just half an hour later
I didn't think twice

Too cold in the field
in the rain yesterday
as my legs are quite short
in a small canine way
alright for my humans
in warm coats and hats
but a different thing
for small furry chaps
so we didn't stay long
just a short trot around
for a sniff and a wee
on the water-logged ground

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Sunset in symmetry

Sunset in full symmetry
over Shoreham yesterday
as we drive back down from Lewes
heading homeward on our way
Golden beams across the sea
from sunshine in the cloud
made for a special moment
and announcement there aloud

As this was truly gorgeous
catching breath the moment there
a really special privilege
the two of us could share
So I'm really pleased I caught it
as we can now reminisce
and relive that winter sunset
as we ponder over this

©Jemverse

Photo – Sunset over Shoreham (from the A27 bypass at the western end of Southwick tunnel) – Jempics

Delight

Bleak this green into the grey
a salt-laced winter wind
from a prevailing westerly
full in the face that grinned
and shivering at the whitened shore
to far horizon seen
the figure hunched to winter cold
knows full where he has been

This seascape no portend it hides
as waves turn, crash and fall
and seething water to the shore
brings a familiar call
So bleak though green into the grey
may seem here at first sight
it nonetheless a pleasure brings
to bring me a delight

©Jemverse

Photo – Jempics

Still too cold in the winter

Concluding the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’ [10 of 10]

Neglected in winter
gets quite overgrown
Too cold to sit out there
grass stays unmown
Trees shed their leaves
and they fall to the ground
and because I’m not out there
they just lie around
And I know that I should
and one day I will
Just not today thank you
‘Cos I can’t stand the chill

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘Too cold in the winter‘ was first published via Jemverse on 5th February 2016

Back to January’s Shivering Smile

9 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Tangible this winter chill
In January’s raw intent
As beneath these spectred morning veils
the silent mist is sent

Intrusive to beleaguered calm
Whispers like a shout
I’m a stranger in an iron-clad still
with no one else about

Yet frigid though the air might be
January serves to bring
A shivering smile through chattering teeth
that it will soon be Spring

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘January’s Shivering Smile‘ was first published via Jemverse on 7 January 2016

Thinking of summer when cold (reprise)

8 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

When it’s cold in the winter
I will look to the sun
and think back to the summer
as I have always done
Back to the days
of whimsy and breeze
when a cool wisp is welcome
rustling quiet through the leaves

When I’m cold in the winter
I will think of the days
when the warmth of the summer
smothers every malaise
Back to the times
when unencumbered and free
I can wander in sunshine
and quite simply be me

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘Thinking of summer when cold‘ was first published via Jemverse on 27 November 2015.

‘Thinking of summer when cold returns‘ was posted on 4 January 2021

Adur valley beauty revisited

7 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Today the river mirrors
The pale blue of the sky
As whitened Sussex fields
In frosted splendour lie

Lancing college chapel
Proud as always on the hill
Overlooks the Adur valley
Quiet and beautifully still

And as I gaze upon this vista
Briefly from the train
I am reminded that I live here
And a smile returns again

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘Adur valley beauty‘ was first published via Jemverse on 10 December 2014

A cheery thought revisited

6 of 10 in the Jemverse Winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

In the depths of winter howling winds
And nasty pouring rain
My thoughts turn to the summer
And to warmer days again

It is good to have a cheery thought
When you’re shivering in the cold
For summer keeps you younger
Whilst the winter makes you old

Winter chills are wearing. They are
dour and pretty grim
But the merest thought of summer
Never fails to bring a grin

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘A cheery thought‘ was first published via Jemverse on 13 January 2015

Like a whisper…again

5 of 10 in the Jemverse winter 22 series ‘Brittle Days’

Icing sugar on the road
a dusting overnight
the sun glow in the eastern sky
still a glorious sight

Cold there is no doubt of that
minus six and falling
but the crystal air is lovely
on this chilly winter morning

Ethereal and silent
there’s no one else around
the snow lies like a whisper
like a blanket on the ground

And I feel like an intruder
as I venture out today
so caught up in the moment
that I have no words to say

©Jemverse

Series pic – Jempics

‘Like a whisper‘ was first published via Jemverse on 8 March 2018