A life measured

A life measured in footsteps
           in paces taken
in voices and in gestures
           in kisses given
and kisses withheld
           a life measured in skies
numbered and tabulated
           in the heart
and how the land inclined
           this way and that
with its separate foliage
           and its exotic birds
that flowered all year round
           A life measured in harmonies
in peace at dawn
           and as the sun set
a life measured
           in questions and answers
and in the congress of bodies
           and the warmth of skin upon skin
days lived in the absence
           of anger and discord
and the poems there
           to tell of love
and to count our steps
           to heaven

John Lyons