Sanctuary
September and with it
come days that taunt us
with blue skies and hoarfrost
in the meadows at dawn
falling temperatures
and the defeat
of summer memories
as though life expects us to lie down
and give up the ghost
without a struggle
But no
love retains secret pockets
of warmth and light
to see us through the winter
through the bitter cold
of ice and snow
Chestnut leaves are turning
to a dull crisp brown
the shiny fruit splitting
free from its spiky shells
the games we played
with those conkers long gone
But the consolations of love
will sustain us with livable time and space
to see us through the coming months
invincible love will flower
once again in spring
the love that burns
within the sanctuary
of the eternal soul
John Lyons