Beyond

Back

The devil! I was flat on cellar floor,
bright light bulb hanging right above my head,
with so much dust I couldn't contemplate.
I staggered up, and oh the aches and pains
as up the stairs I staggered. On my wrist,
I noticed that the bangle was still on,
but dull and lifeless, mundane it seemed now.

Everywhere was caked dust. By the front door
was heaped a mound of letters. The maple
was red and rarefied. Autumn beyond.
I had jumped two sweet seasons, woke to woe.
Only the direct debits had saved me.
I'd probably lost most my friends, worried
distant sisters, horribly, and still yet
that bridge of Bifrost time was so well met.

"Archy," they'd all say.. "Just get a grip, man.
Always pulling your irons out last thing.
What kind of a jaunt you been on this time?
Totally reclusive!" But, not bothered,
obviously. No questions really asked.
Assumed I was alright since in credit
Well. What was it all about anyway?
I find myself crying. Laughing relief.
I find myself Googling history.

I think of the poor beggars up for it
and how well they played their parts in the dark
under the moon and the grey predawn sheen
How they were all bound together, bonded
in that shieldwall, rich and poor, best to fore.
And how two monsters met in the dawn dusk
the  wolf  ram and the bangle serpentine
and I on the anvil along with those
who the war wasted. How lucky I was.
And how we all go down to the darkness
with love in our hearts that stop their beating;
but love doesn't stop there, nor had it a start.