Poet's Corner
Enduring kindred…
by Galdor se Scop
The offered hand, a gentle, open bloom,
extended forth in Bognor's morning light.
A silent wish to chase away the gloom,
to mend a fracture, set a spirit right.
But sometimes shores are stony, cold, and vast,
where tender petals find no soil to cling.
A heart in winter, memories that last,
may hear no robin's hopeful, vibrant spring.
Perhaps the ear is deafened by the roar
of inner tempests, grief's relentless tide.
The kindest word, unheard upon the shore,
where pain and silence stubbornly reside.
Or shadows cling, suspicion's icy hold,
misreading grace as something to distrust.
The story whispered, centuries old,
of burdens heavy, turned to bitter dust.
The seed of solace, scattered with good will,
may land on pathways hardened by despair.
No root can pierce the earth, resistant still,
no fragile tendril find a breath of air.
Yet, though the bloom lies withered on the grey,
the heart that offered knew a moment's grace.
For kindness given lights its own small day,
and leaves a trace, though unseen in that place.
So let us sow, though yields remain unknown,
for even on the barren, windswept land,
A future harvest, secretly is sown,
a gentle stirring, held within the sand.
Social Media Hostages
by Galdor se Scop
A dream is raised and then it shatters
All on Bognor Regis Matters
And for some there's no decorum
All on Bognor Regis Forum
We are inclined in our supposit
On Bognor Regis News and Gossip
Where she goes we cannot tell
Gæð a Bucge swa hio scel
A SUSSEX BEACH
by Nicholas Prosser
I first walked on that Sussex beach, in a time of innocence and play.
Such laughter, we had fun, we were happy and all of life seemed gay.
I took that early dip before breakfast in the cold waters of the sea.
No responsibilities then, no debts or bills, we were truly free.
Sand castles to build, cricket wickets to take with several runs to
score.
Ice creams, sweets and cakes, such delicious delights galore.
But now I stand on a Sussex beach with memories stretching back,
To all the times some sad, of regrets, of struggles down the track.
I know some answers now to questions I had when I was young.
I had no idea then of my life’s journey and who I would become.
ALDWICK GREEN
by Nicholas Prosser
Relieved and refreshed, it drinks the moisture from a heavy shower of long awaited rain.
More vivid now than before in the colour that provides its name,
Once a temporary home for those waiting to fight a war that did not come,
Now a haven for wildlife as the hooting owl awaits the setting sun.
In this oasis of an urban jungle, surrounded by bricks and mortar,
The source of life and nature’s roadway, its unrelenting stream provides a constant flow of water.
Where loved ones hold hands, the sound of children’s laughter sometimes found,
Sycamore, oak and tall conifer tower, high above this open playground.
The seasons illustrated by crocuses, daffodils and bluebells in the spring,
Give promise to the warm days to follow that summer will bring,
To walk from street to road, both with village name, many tread the dry convenient path,
Whilst dog owners chat, their unobserved wards enjoy their roll in a thick mud bath.
Trees bared of their brown leaves in those cool autumn days,
A squirrel gathers its winter larder for the cold relentless phase.
The nearby neighbour boasts a pond, the home of ducks so proud,
Whilst the early morning chorus competes with the deafening traffic, now so loud.
For the pensioner who sits on a park bench, a pause to remember what has been,
A place of peace, time to reflect and absorb all the joys of Aldwick Green.
BOGNOR PIER
by Nicholas Prosser
Smell the scent of salt and breathe the ozone in the air,
Hear the cry of gulls above, in weather foul or fair.
The sea laps beneath it, the water crystal clear,
Boats, nets and lobster pots, nestled by Bognor pier.
One day calm, flat and shimmering from the sun,
Not really warm but to dive in it might be rather fun,
And on another, the wind carves tall white sea horses that glare.
To bathers, sailors and all who might consider it, beware!
Thrusting out regardless to reach for some far off place,
No, it can’t be struck by fire or storm to vanish without trace.
To those who cherish it, who use it and enjoy it, have no fear.
The people of this town stand firm to support their trust in Bognor Pier.
A MAGICAL VIEW
by Nicholas Prosser
Behind me, a tapestry of fences, walls and gates mark each boundary of those suburban castles.
Detached or semi, some two floors, even three, they sit with humble bungalows side by side.
To both left and right, interrupted by an occasional wooden groyne, a wide walking highway, stretches as far as the eye can see.
Its surface, transitional in shape, with varying gradient from gradual to precipitous, constant in direction, slopes down from high to low.
Stacked deep below our feet, many shapes and sizes of stone pebbles provide both carpet and rampart.
Above a wide ceiling, a mosaic of differing hues, one day all blue, another grey, changing in composition, countless white islands, or a threatening dark mass, some casually amble whilst, windswept, others race.
With no more roads or paths beyond, we have reached the end of our journey.
Before, straight ahead, in contrast to all other directions, a view like no other, a threshold to a new world.
Flat yet rippling and swirling in movement, a wide and long expanse, unlimited, its end and depth invisible.
It appears to kiss the sky, yet we know they’ll never meet.
In contrast to all other vistas, this prompts speculation as to what and who is beyond?
Beyond this constant, seemingly everlasting dimension, we seek ambitious renewed horizons,
Allowing imagination to contemplate, to venture, to wonder and to dream.
Distinct as a venue, here we enjoy, relax, play, converse, eat, sleep or swim, an oasis to feel free.
This is our shared magical place we call the beach, as we pause to peer out to sea.
AUTUMN ON AN ALDWICK BEACH
by Nicholas Prosser
On summer days, this beach is bathed in warm rays, whilst cold waters thrill.
Sands, now quite dark against light sky, expansive shade from clouds that chill,
A watery sun now peers to attempt to lighten this autumn day,
The tide is out, the air is crisp, along the shore is Pagham Bay.
A DELIGHT ON ALDWICK GREEN
by Nicholas Prosser
There amongst the pallet of those winter colours black, grey and brown,
Our precious local suburban nature patch not too far from a Sussex Down,
On the fringe of its open space coloured after its name Aldwick Green,
A cheering red breasted robin was a sight I was delighted to have seen.
A VIEW FROM CHALCRAFT LANE
by Nicholas Prosser
Take one last look from Chalcraft Lane to distant Goodwood beyond.
Who can save this oasis of beauty with the simple wave of a magic wand?
In past times, pilot in war and farmer at peace both had their hand,
In shaping nurturing and putting to life saving use this wide expanse of land.
Listen once more to the sweet song of birds, too many here to list,
Peer whilst you can at distant downs amongst the fading morning mist.
No longer take that early morning peep, one of life’s important but free thrills.
Instead prepare for concrete mixers and the droning sound of drills,
Neat brick boxes in varying sized plots, all tidy in a row,
Planned with care, every penny counts, from foundation to rafter, up they go.
Ignore those consequences of gridlock traffic and rain struggling to find its subterranean escape.
Past the stage of resident meetings in village hall, steam ahead for this project of environmental rape.
England expects a mountain of developer profit, a concrete jungle, have no fear.
Stretching six miles from Chichester city and estuary to Bognor, still proud of its peer.
But wait, before we destroy what that local called his green and pleasant land,
Is there just one more chance to shout STOP and take a democratic vote? Go on, raise your hand.
PLANT A PARK TREE
By Nicholas Prosser
It’s now a war to eliminate pollution for a cleaner world to reduce C02.
Fought by governments, by industry, commerce, councils and campaigned by you.
Persuade them all to eliminate destructive commodities and the harm these all cause.
To save the Arctic ice for polar bears to breed with a home to place their paws.
This is one last chance for those who’ve destroyed it, to save our precious planet.
It’s true for you all, whether you live in Penge, in Bognor Regis or on the Isle of Thanet.
Evidence of climate change is clear with floods, peaks bared of snow and fewer bees.
Do your bit to create oxygen to plant your sapling in a potential forest of trees.
A PERCEPTION OF REGENERATION
by Nicholas Prosser
Abandon libraries, theatres, leisure centres along with proposals for that community hub.
Now dismissed, the importance of village character with post office, local shop, church or pub.
Is now what local residents and visitors need or want, just to be ignored?
Unless private property development is included, then any plan just seems flawed.
Infrastructure doesn’t matter, those opposed considered just nuisance brats.
Is the only answer to regeneration schemes to build endless blocks of flats?
STANMORE GARDENS IS 50
by Nicholas Prosser
Here a rare phenomenon was born where neighbours become friends, as this close community care for each other.
We who live here now thank and remember our predecessors, who steered us here with compass, by rudder.
With quiz nights, parties, Christmas dinners, and A.G.M.s with prolonged lunches to fThey packed their bags to leave their Surrey home to move from their suburban semi.
Pioneer pilgrims took the half day journey to retire to the coast. My mother and father were just two of many.
Though a cul de sac, more like a square, surrounded by terraced houses, built of brick.
Near the resort of Bognor, they discovered this haven opposite the green in the parish of Aldwick.
ollow, so much to enjoy here.
Raise a toast to celebrate Happy Anniversary, for this, Stanmore Gardens is your 50th year.
IN THIS PARISH OF PAGHAM
by Nicholas Prosser
In this parish of Pagham, a border of a wide beach stretches out, in the shadow of protective Selsey Bill.
An estuary of fresh waters, stretching inwards for every wild creature to take their daily fill.
In this parish of Pagham, they are proud of their R.S.P.B. reserve to conserve this beautiful natural world.
Surviving in this peaceful corner, they’ve resisted the world of development, as others have been hurled.
In this parish of Pagham, there are only short rows of amenities, supplying cafe, shop and pub,
To serve those who live in the roads of dwellings that form this unspoilt local community and hub.
Protected in farmer’s fields, small mammals shelter from the swoop of overhead raptor, owl, kestrel, even harrier.
In this parish of Pagham, resist and contest yet another concrete mess to protect local village division boundaries with this vital rural barrier.
THE DAWN OF CHICHESTER
By Nicholas Prosser
From Trundle summit, taste the view to inspire that “green and pleasant land”.
Traditional and historic Goodwood seeks future glories, despite the empty spectator stand.
Perched dominantly on a peak of the outstretched South Downs National Park,
Peering down on all it surveys, this conservation haven now awarded a national importance mark.
The towering spire of St Richard’s catches our eye as the centre of what lies below.
From its city cross, a street for all directions, whichever way you choose to go.
Before the internal combustion engine in the days of watercraft and horse.
From its city wharf, the 19th century canal cut a straight and important course.
But why many settled here with the Romans building their celebrated villa at Fishbourne,
This city’s harbour and estuary were the proud foundation for Chichester’s ancient dawn.
NOVIOMAGUS REGINORUM
by Nicholas Prosser
From our Surrey suburb my father drove our nineteen thirties Wolseley, in those days, such a long way.
As we passed its celebrated city cross, this was near journey’s end to seaside Bracklesham Bay.
Our relieved parents at last answered yes to our children’s question - “are we nearly there?”
To this day, a welcome intimate atmosphere with which larger grander cities just don’t compare.
Other regional capitals attract visitors, their grand architecture is an impressive lure.
But this estuary base offers individual shops selling delicious chocolate and honey so pure.
Its festival theatre, proudly boasts more than half a century of entertainment and drama at its best.
With drinking holes and places to eat, stretching down its vibrant streets North, South, East and West.
Much history exhibited in Novium Museum, treasures excavated underfoot by spade and trowel.
Above, with ancient bell tower, the tall falcon inhabited spire of 12th century St. Richards Cathedral.
Fishbourne Roman Palace, declared an archaeologically important find, more than a mere gesture.
Citizens proud to celebrate your harbour home that stands tall, your city of Chichester.