UNITED KINGDOM

cargill@mtxnet.co.uk

CONVERSATION

I have died once.
The place that marks the starting gate
I passed many a year.

"As well not to look back
Reflection is faultless here."

Among the birch trees
The sheer ghosts of time
Weave their green-leaved tricks
Into unsuspected spells
And all our happiness
Is carried off with a bell.

I have lived once.
Green leaves in the harvest
Winnowed out amongst the straw.

"So strong, and yet to no effect,"
Was written there.
"He doubted, never wanted
His planting here."

Blood mixed with stars
Flows slowly down
Through soft-layered earth.
Love's reaching spirit softens the
Too-solid counting-tower,
And yesterdays screams
Soften amongst the leaves
Of the forest floor.

I live again now.

"Patience.
Life is not a spending spree."

Among glittering frosts
Appears the sharp-eyed fox,
Nose agleam. He waits,
Dignity twitching the air.
His the carpet of green.
His the brush-stirred
Dew of evening.

And now is the hour
The day has visited
And the roaming is over.
For the cross-bearers pause
Before the brown stare of eyes
Made heaven's cause.

Life becomes the strong earth's boundary.
Row upon row spring
The leaf-bolls
And a song, small as a skylark's tongue
Rests like a lover
In the wall of my heart.

© Copyright, Angus Cargill.
All Rights Reserved. Printed By Permission.