A clear Autumn day, not a cloud in the sky
A mist that lies lurking like a child's forlorn cry
A walk in the morning when no-one's about
When a whisper is special. 'cos you daren't risk a shout
A broken old caravan, a cow in a field
A dog that likes running for Frisbees concealed
A field that is covered with a crisp, sparkling dew
A feeling of freshness, when everything's new
A field of dry stubble that's been burnt for the year
A farmer out walking (we're not meant to be here)
A last throw of the Frisbee, then back on your lead
And home to make coffee and you then to feed.
The wind had dropped, the sky was blue
the sun was warm, as well I knew
As here in field with seven trees
I felt it warm with gentle breeze
My hoodie off, I bared an arm
and there was no cause for alarm
with only wispy clouds up there
in the blue sky, the sun to share
And Obi has his run around
as we trod slow along the ground
He sniffed and wee'd and ran and ran
as only dogs with small legs can
And Sal and I in all this green
knew of all the places seen
this is the best, our special place
for us three here, with joy and grace
Ears akimbo, cast a shadow
with my humans in my field
when every week I get to run
in the heart of Sussex Weald
It's a place I love to come to
as I get to run quite free
for my drifting and my circles
which are firmly part of me
For I am dog and is what
we canines love the most
together with our humans
who allow us, playing host
Eight years ago on Star Wars Day
and Obi Wan Kinobi
Small brown, all pudding paws and plump
came to live and stay
Name - no brainer (Ed decided)
so Obi Wan Kinobi
could not on May the fourth be else
something in all confided
So eight years on and May the Fourth
with Obi Wan Kinobi
be with you all and with you stay
on Star Wars day of course
The sun shone on Good Friday morn
as we went walking for some fun
Two sisters, father and a dog
as this good day has just begun
Started in fair Arundel
then through the castle ground
up through the South Stoke country park
where marvellous things were found
Views that took our breath away
with skies of deepest blue
this was a time to revel in
which we all four there knew
As it happened the eight miles we planned
turned into something more
though none of us we minded
with the wondrous things we saw
But the Black Rabbit pub it was
a welcome thing to see
as down the river path we came
footsore and thirsty we
Some fourteen miles of Sussex
for a walk which was the best
though when back home for buns and tea
we welcomed then the rest
I don’t ask for much in life
I settle for the least
A bed to sleep in, warm at night
And now and then a feast
A little exercise most days
In the garden, out the back
Some water there to quench my thirst
And perhaps. sometimes. a snack
Yet in return for these small things
I’ll be a life-long friend
Always there to welcome you
On me you can depend
For I am faithful to the last
Ever by your side
I’ll be a true companion
In whom you can confide
I’m always pleased to see you
Whenever that might be
No matter how you’re feeling
For that’s part of being me
For I am dog you understand
A canine through and through
Unequivocally there to be
A special friend for you
‘Unconditional‘ was first posted to Jemverse in January 2015
[Today concludes the ‘My very best’ series – a selection of 12 of the many thousands of poems I’ve written to date in my 50+ years as a poet. There are many more I could have picked so perhaps there’ll be a ‘My very best II’ at some point. Who knows? One thing is certain; I’ll not stop writing!]
I'm curled in a circle in my little bed
on the floor in the room where I rest my head
when I'm not barking or running instead
as mostly I need a good nap
I'm curled and I'm comfy and that's a no-brainer
as with anything else I'd be quite the complainer
for comfortable snoozes I'm a canine campaigner
as mostly I need a good nap
October shadow, Obi's field
in the heart of Sussex Weald
barely was the warmth concealed
in the autumn now
Walked a mile around the place
felt again familiar grace
with the sunshine on my face
in the autumn now
Obi ran, he always does
round in circles there because
this is how he gets his buzz
in the autumn now
Spent up there our usual hour
underneath the oaken bower
turning trees above us tower
in the autumn now
In his favourite chair he sleeps
whilst words behind him flow
the poet's dog oblivious
to this refined tableau
Yet his presence is a comfort
as there once in a while
the poet looks up from his work
and sees him with a smile
On a bright day in September when out for a walk
with my G-pa and G-ma for a sniff and a talk
they showed me the sights, the river and such
but I have to say now, can't remember that much
'Cos the smells in the grass and the other dogs there
were all that held interest to be frank, though I care
'Cos I love them both dearly; they're my people and kin
and I'm grateful to both for the places we've been
For my name is Wolfgang, a Patterdale me
and this is mostly about the places I've wee'd
As that's really what a dog's life is about
So I'll say that here with a loud barky shout
...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...
Jemverse 