Gifts and Shards Vol 1

Woman in Black

The blackbird's clarion draws me out
into a sunlit interlude above the shooting grasses,
the hedge shouting for attention;
and, as I stand absorbing the changes,
raise my eyes to your 'study' window to catch
your ghost draw back the blind - a smile and wave of love -

but close to it, as pressed against the pane
an angry face pulls back
a suitcase raised, pictures plucked from walls,
that last loud imprint of a slammed car door, and all
our days are torn asunder.

I hear the blackbird's sharp divisions cutting cleanly
cleave the light and leave me
on the dark side, weary and evil
longing to be free.