Sweet boy,
I lit a candle by the wick, and withstood a moment in its light.
I leave it in this silent place, where I come to bury you tonight.
There is something here yet left, something sad and new…
addressed in my own breath, I send these final words for you:
I come to say my farewell rhymes, to bid safe going to the ships.
I come to leave a piece with you, to kiss the air with absent lips.
I release you now to memory, where my hands won't find the trace.
But lay in this last hour, a gentle hand on your gentle face.
If you were ever poor of soul, I'd have let you share with me.
Had you been afraid to look, I would not have let you see.
If you were sent to fight alone, I'd have come to battle too.
And had courage ever failed, I would have been brave for you.
A brighter sun you were in me, than any other day.
And maybe deep into my quiet years I'll find the time to say:
That you made a soldier of my heart; That alas, the soldier falls.
That I had always loved you, but left my love near old St. Paul's.
No comments:
Post a Comment