What survives

What survives
           in the flesh of memory
the integument of tenderness
           trust in the ease of being
alongside her
           our lives routed
through Venice
           through Budapest
through Paris
           and above all London

Love that filters out
           the backdrop of chaos
bringing order
           where there is none
bringing hope
                      where there is none
and belief
           in our kindred selves

What survives
           is the knowledge
that there can be
           nothing better
nothing deeper
           nothing closer
than the love
           we shared

sooner
           not later
now
           and forever

John Lyons