Today’spoem

Forget those potholes for a while, let’s think of better days,

The sun will shine and warm our hearts, and help our spirits raise, Umbrellas will be put away, now parasols prevail, Beaches filled with happy folk, no talk of gales or hail. Mouth-watering smell of fish and chips drifts on the seaside air,

The gentle lapping of shallow waves, the outlook’s looking fair. Children scream but with delight as waves tickle their toes,

Parents smile, content to be devoid of any woes. Some older folk walk hand in hand, enjoying what they see, Recalling times when they were young, and life was more carefree.

The incoming tide moves nearer now, washing pebbles on the beach, Sandcastles topple silently, we hear the seagulls screech.

A mum calls out to her kids, it’s sandwich time and drinks,

But Dad’s flat out, oblivious, he’s grabbing forty winks. Children cloaked in soft bath towels, attended to by Mum,

Her tenderness is plain to see, their shoulders tanned by sun.

The kids are flushed, ooze happiness, they’ve had a fun-packed day,

But soon it will be time to leave, we guess they’d rather stay.

Who knows what’s round the corner, what the future has in store, That family may well return to bathe on Bognor’s shore.

A breeze begins to ruffle waves, the chill will cool the throng,

Some of the crowd will start to leave but we can carry on.

So, Bognor’s not the South of France, of course it has its faults,

It’s England and I’m proud of that, despite adverse reports.

I lived in London for 60 years, in high-rise flats and such, Crowded roads and potholes too, I didn’t like it much.

So, 27 years ago we moved to Bognor Town, We’ve had our moans like others do but never talked it down.

So, Bognor Regis is our home, if not for everyone. Enjoy your town, forget the rain and hold out for the sun.

Charlie Horner, Bognor regis, west sussex.