CAME THE DAWN

Morning came.

The wanly tepid sun

From out the mist did creep

Yet chilled but more the coldness in my heart.

Night was o’er

And love its course had run.

We woke up from our sleep

Despairingly aware that we must part.

Daylight brought

The terror of our thoughts

And ache of throbbing flesh

And knowledge that from out of love comes grief.

Autumn’s gift:

The message it imports,

The pain and bitter crush

Of ending joy; yet promising relief.

Come there must

Another wak’ning day,

The promise of a hope

That this too eager flesh will yet unite

In the Spring

The well-tide of our gay

And sacrificial stream.

Naught else but this can fancies thoughts ignite.

London, 1984