forgive me now
this coming back
to find an understanding
of where I stood
e’en now the ground is warm
the barn is leaning further
than I thought it would in May
but now ~ so clearly now
I see the moon

forgotten yet
the pain to leave
a tear-stained sunday morning
roads to walk
alone and back again
just beyond the church bells
ring ~
vows not worth the sermon
echoing of words
were tasted new

take me now
before the first of
winter’s velvet stillness
and nights
when still I burn
with thoughts of you
cellar doors
and broken steps ~
thirteen miles to nowhere
lines to run both ways
are never true

say it ~
say it softly
speak my name
aloud
murmur in the dark
so I might hear
and know of times uncertain
as rain between the stars ~
aware of other times
you held me near

whisper as another
time has passed into
everafter promised me a place
I always knew
would come again
a house without a door ~
windows facing south
to hide the barn