Perros-Guirec, 1966

And so the remains of memory
           the rabbits fed on wheat husks
mackerel fished
           throughout the summer
to provide for the winter
           paddling out to the island
in the kayak
           we had built in the garage

soaking up the sun
           on those endless innocent days
the first taste of conger eel
           the first taste of wine
the first taste of a girl’s lips
           an inkling of what love might be
in the years to come
           the pleasure and the pain

John Lyons