Springtime

IT'S  SPRINGTIME AGAIN

Now I can see you

Now, that the gutters weep with molten snow

And grey grey pavement lies in blotches

Now I can see you.

Now, that you’ve lost the mantle

Which you bore

So destitute and cold

It covered you

And smothered you

And brought not comfort

And brought not pity

Now that the sun rides higher in the sky

And conquers the low roof lines

Which you once called your own

Your house

Your home

Your very own

Now I can see you

Now that the sun, the ultimately conquering,

Sheds golden light upon your broken wing

Across the gables of weather-beaten roof lines

Over the dark-red dilapidated,

Miserable houses

Which are but once removed

From Cabbage town

Now I can see you once again.

Where have you been?

This winter was so long

And I was certain that you’d gone South

And I was with you

In the land

Of warmth and gentleness;

And all the time

Unknowing

I walked on you with rubber boots and treaded you

And all your dreams

Into the newly fallen snow.

Now I can see you

Re-dream your dreams

Which surely you have dreamed

Re-dream my dreams

Which I have dreamed

Where have you been?

Freezing

Rain

Falling

Monotonously

Soaking into your feathered dress

Chilling your hollow bones

And stilling your fast beating

Heart

Snowflakes

Mixing with

Black soot 

of this Giant city

No longer white

Even before they come to rest upon

Grey grey asphalt

Just yards

From where I park my heavy car.

Why did you stay?

What kept you here?

Amongst those old

Not ancient

Just old and weary houses?

What beauty did you find

‘Midst these drab old houses ?

Not even graceful in their age

Just old and weary.

Why did you stay? What kept you here?

What beauty did you find?

And in your otherness

You were alone

In this Metropolis of Millions

You were alone

When all the others left

You dared

To stay behind

Alone.

You may have brought

A quick sharp stab of life

To those, inhabiting the houses,

As old and weather-beaten as the roof lines

Over which the sun now rises.

A quick sharp stab of life

And silence then again

I ask you now:

Was it worthwhile?

Was not the price too high

To stay behind 

Alone

And fly alone

And sing alone

And perch on roof tops

All alone?

The Price was You

Now that the gutters weep with molten snow

And grey grey pavement lies in blotches,

Now I can see you once again.

***********                                                                                                         ehr in Toronto

Bertstravels