Station Four

Pip Hanser

When I was ruined by Love, I took a vow To cut it from me and live in despair. To live only in the sadness of ‘now’. Being selfish, I thought love wouldn’t care.

Like a galaxy that leaves behind one spark, Love gave me one last chance of redemption. To see beauty in trees, and leaves, and bark, For love to be the centre of my attention.

I focused on growth, as anyone would And of loving my pale and blotted face. I thought of love all the time that I could, Love of myself, of person, and of place.

Though somewhere out there in the twisting dark, The black curve of an arm falls into night, And whilst poets serenade bits of bark, Women in scarves lack basic human rights.

These girls feel sunrise falling like a lift, And danger flowing in with the morning mist.