Time presses genetly

Time my good friend presses gently.
The torrent of adventures is passed
Searing noise, frantic panting,
Love of fear, love of risk, love of life.
Shoe horned into days of heady nights
Times they were. Times that were.
Here is the clear water of remembering
Smiles and shrugs and a hidden pride
A peaceful place and shared gentle looks
And today is better than any day before
Past is passed, time is now, is life at last.
Looking unfocussed on an easy world.
The fabric is torn open by a slip of mind
Through the distant smoke of memory
A shadow wanders hardly seen and smiles
Beckons from the ruins of long ago.
How bright how clear that first electric smile
How well remembered that needless touch
The kiss that lit a fuse and burned for days
Laid waste the landscape of rugged life.
Talks of earnest nonsense for nights on end.
O the colours then, the detailed days.
Promises and vows and eternal bond,
Two fingers to fate, mock the smirking gods
Until it all disappeared
Trodden down on the path of time
Universes undocked and sped away.
Never more to hear my name whispered
Never more to hear that siren voice.
Dismembered you live in other people.
One has your eyes another your hair
One walks like you and another laughs.
That’s your hand; you pass in a crowd.
Stop, seal the fabric and stitch time’s rent
Blow away the smoke and douse the fire
Look again at now in the present tense.
Forget for ever days that are so well spent.

tony mcneile