Grace

The grace that comes
         from knowing
that you love
         and that you are loved
the musical phrase that recurs
         through your day
first and last voice
         a sing-song of celebration
first and last kiss of the day

This year will be our inauguration
         see how the buds on the trees
are poised to burst into life
         leaves that in due course
will fall and scatter in the wind
         the way of all blossom
but not of love : love outlasts
         love outlives—love craves time

And so it is an unearthing
         a bringing forth into the light
it is talk and accent and intonation
         it is the energy that moves you
and that in so doing moves me too
         Our names have become a phrase
just as our hands are joined
         or as we lie breast to breast
eye to eye or as we stroll
         down by the river
locked in conversation

So much is lost
         in the city bustle
a cormorant passes
         beneath Waterloo Bridge
leisurely flapping its wings
         in its unhurried purpose :
time will sweep away
         the horrors of dust
Give love its due
         honour it with all your heart
be guided by the stars
         and cultivate no regret

John Lyons