Once against now

Today I went back; walked along paths divorced from now
By forty four years and so scored my tears into this land;
Little boy with simple joy standing here in awe and bright belief-
Sacred memories softly torn asunder by licentious change.

Conker trees ripped and trampled to spectres by houses
Still thrive within the quiet musings of an ageing mind.
To be eight and to await this world’s unfolding
Was to sit on the lip of tomorrow in wonder.

Now his wrinkled wraith tries to be him again.
But the omnipotence of time forces the chime of another hour.
Yet I can smell the seeds my father helped to plant;
How I wish he was here, sure and strong again.