Hurst

My thoughts drift south
to the old cottage
on the lonely moor
where the owls yet swoop

Long since
did the sun there set
but memories remain
of that final meeting

Looking out west
over the sweeping fells
where the pheasants strut
and the golden light lingers

You could only look then
at where you could go
just a year before
for many a mile

You drifted out of my sight
as the train pulled away
taking you unwittingly
out of my sight forever

We retraced your steps
among the ancient valleys
in that warm summer
now a decade gone

The years have marched on
don't think we'll be back there
on the lonely moor
where the owls yet swoop

Looking back 11 years

I watched you
drift away
out of sight
as I moved off

I was not to know
as the train
gathered speed
that we'd not meet again

As I drifted off
the mist gathered further
as it had done
for some time till then

I did not see
until 't was
perhaps
too late

Five years passed
and I alighted
onto the same
station platform

You were not there
your prediction,
unheard by me,
had come true

You remain with me
though
you're part of me
always there

Were you there?

Were you there
walking with us
down the forest path
as the wind sighed

Transporting us
north to where pines
sigh in the seabreeze
on the island of memories

Were you there
as I opened old files
bringing back memories
from yesteryear

Were you there
as we passed by
your final resting place
in the clearing

No, that's not where you are
just the marker
for others to remind them
of you

You're always there
because you're part of me
in spirit, not to be seen anymore
reminding me of what once was

You'll always be there
with me forever
never to leave me
for all time