BARRIERS

This is dedicated to all those who are suffering, have suffered or suspect they may suffer barriers to relationships ... walls built by age-gaps, distance, misunderstandings and a million other reasons, some soluble, some impossible to break down without some damage to others. You may even have to settle for less than perfect - as the local saying goes hereabouts “Owt’s better’n nowt!”           * owt’s better’n nowt = ought is better than nought = anything is better than nothing

Laburnum clusters of bright
yellow tears.
Just another Spring thing
in the warm mellow years

Time, old man, far past time
to change your dreams
for memories,
to know your hopes are hopeless;
to let go, fall free,
lie alone,
and each day die a little:
like another Spring thing
hanging on.

So sad I cannot share the Spring
so sad that so many dead brown leaves
rattle in my head
And I feel so old.

So sad that a little while ago
the daffodils were tiny golden suns
and tulips glowed
And I felt so young

And Oh, so very sad, my love
that I cannot share the Spring
since Spring belongs to you.

DISTANCE : AWAYDAYS

What's so precious you hold on so?
so terrible you cannot tell?

Hold back, if you must,
though I would share the pain
as well ask my portion of the joy.

Hold back, if you need,
though I would never claim
a greater part than you would give.

Hold back, if you fear,
though I am often told
a lonely hurt hurts more alone.

Hold back, if holding holds you still;
Hold back, though holding's holding still;

Hold back, and while you're holding on,
hold on to me,
and I'll hold on.