Sail On

SAIL ON

Your gaze reaches me across the screen Glasses, bow tie, a button, And there in-between that mischievous grin edging into a smile Looking through the camera and the photographer’s eye You didn’t know you would be looking at me! I never made friends easily But you would have been a good friend As you were to many But for now you slip those bonds

As the lengthening shadows in our sickening world glide like the silver mists. With sails unfurled, good men set their course Into that longest of nights Plucked as if driftwood from the stream Wet sticks to build new fires While we remember The burning flame That was a life

From forceps to the grave we come and go unknown And grow to hope that a saviour Awaits us beyond Heaven’s gate Or a welcoming spirit in Mictlan To say “I know you my child, You are a good soul and welcome here For yours is no disgrace” You ran a good race

In these quietened times only tolling bells and whispery memories Occupy the dusty halls where we’re supposed to play No action, just more delay We no longer get to say ‘Goodbye’ Or even ‘Hi’ Strange times indeed To slip into darkness Across that simple divide

FOR DAVID THORNTON