As white as the winter and cold as her smile
She walked through the churchyard, her
wedding train blowing
Her Uncle beside her, his jaw firm and set
Her bridal veil hiding the tears that were flowing
There was no going back, she could tell by his stance
If only he’d listen, in his hands her fate
As white as the winter and cold as the ice
At the top of the church aisle, the bridegroom did wait.
She walked down the aisle on this bleak wedding day
Clutching white roses until her hands bled
Cursing the Uncle who’ll give her away
To the man stood before her with eyes cold and dead
Who held out his hand to her, lifted her veil
As white as the winter, the snow and the hail.
She walked to the altar, the groom at her side
Her heart was another’s, she couldn’t be wed
But vows were then spoken and ring on her finger
His lips pressed against her ‘you’re mine now’ he said
And the world spun around her; she wanted to die
How could she lay with him this dark starless night
As white as the winter, a lamb to the slaughter
Her true love forsaken, no hope within sight
And he led her away through the church to his carriage
Then he drove her to places she’d never dare tred
And she lived with a cold smile, her heart ever frozen
As white as the winter in his wedding bed.

22.10.18 JG

I came upon a secret place, a land that time forgot. There surely fairae folk exist if dinosaurs do not.
A peaceful place of beauty opened up before my eyes
When through the deep and treacherous gorge, had I reached paradise?
Through woods of hazel, oak and birch, willow and Scot’s pine
On narrow paths, steep-sided, overhung by cliffs so high
I heard the water rushing as I climbed towards the sound
Steall Falls - all her wondrous waters gushing to the ground
By shingle river bank I sat, in silence mesmerised
I felt I’d gone to heaven, even though I hadn’t died
Surrounded by high mountains, it felt as if a dream
A part of me I left behind in sunlit meadows green.

15.10.18 JG

A humid hot day and my mind starts to wander
To where you might be in your journey through life
Sweet, gentle thoughts of you, moments to ponder
Skipping the parts where it cuts like a knife

Flickers of sunlight that bleach you so fair
Cycling through cities, through valleys and trees
Tracing the tracks that your cycle lays bare
Seeing your smile in the soft, summer breeze

Golden and happy, a child of the sun
Meandering rivers, you go with the flow
Laughing with people, a lover of fun
You once touched my life, were a pleasure to know

Scaling the peaks where the eagles fly free
Beautiful places call out to your soul
Finding new joys in each wonder you see
The poet in you stilled, deep in peace you are whole

I truly do wish you the best in all things
Accomplish your goals with your strength and your drive
Just 3 months to know you and hear how my heart sings
I’ll never forget you, so bright and alive.

19/7/99

She walks in beauty, like the night
     Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
     Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
     Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
     Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
     Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
     How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
     So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
     But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
     A heart whose love is innocent!

When I am dead and over me bright April
Shakes out her rain-drenched hair,
Though you shall lean above me broken-hearted,
I shall not care.

I shall have peace, as leafy trees are peaceful
When rain bends down the bough;
And I shall be more silent and cold-hearted
Than you are now.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Pale to the night sky, my raven haired beauty, her vast velvet midnight that reaches forever
And pale to the bright stars as jewels adorn her, spread to the heavens in sparkling array
Pale to the full moon, her silvery shining, bewitching the darkness and casting her spell
Pale to your sisters of dark night, my beauty
Humbled before nature’s night-time display.

1.11.18 JG