Aubade for 42

 

The last gasp night is here,

follows weeks of drawing in the air.

Deep and deeper still,

each breath holding

some recollection

that cannot be let go.

 

So we lie down to rest,

lungs fit to burst,

blown-up with busy years.

The yarn of our entwinement

woven on now blank walls:

a mind’s eye tapestry.

 

The trees we felled

and those we’ll leave to grow.

The labour of digging.

How climbing frame and grass

gave way, by increments,

to beds of fruit and flowers.

 

Place that grew as we grew with it:

from stories read in character voice

to tinned sardine sleepovers.

Framed in our front door,

school uniforms flung on, then gone.

And more besides …

 

Winter fires banked up.

Rescued rabbits.

Skylight rainbows.

The decking out, the winding down.

… but parting dawn breaks the news

that property is not belonging.



xi. 2017

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