That night we walked
The wind in our hair
Burned our faces like razors
Whipping up the dust
Off the streets;
Eyes stinging red.
But we held hands
Clinging to each other's bodies
Like steel.
We never did let go of each other.

The streets were empty; cold.
Sweet woodsmoke filled the air.
A dog howled, there were whispers
In the trees
And leaves flew like birds;
They had scattered all around us.

That night the moon had followed us across
The Bridge Of The River Tilt.
Wherever we went, it was there
Naked like a white sun
Brandishing its golden eye
To protect us with its 24 carat light.

©Jack Aylward