Back in the day

Summers
           we would wander up
to the lake
           go boating
or sun ourselves
           in the open air pool
the lake is still there
           the small rowboats
that encouraged the swans
           to keep to themselves

The grass is no greener
           than it was
when we were children
           sometimes the summers
were long and hot
           sometimes not
since then
           so much has passed
and yet still
           so much remains

John Lyons

On a summer’s day

Sat in the sun yesterday
           we’re old friends
we go way back
           I often say
I owe everything
           to the sun
From my perch
           I surveyed the garden
the deep green of the grass
           the pink and red roses
the white and yellow blossom
           on neighbouring bushes

I’ve grown accustomed to the calls
           of birds who live locally
know some of their melodies
           off by heart –
they owe everything
           to the sun too
and like me
           they go way back

It was a glorious summer’s day
           and I just sat there
silently soaking it all up
           musing upon the relativity
of all things and communing
           with the relations

John Lyons

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