Love Never Fades
When night settled over driftwood on the lonely beach
Caressed forthcoming peace in his sharp ageing mind
He stumbled on a starfish propped on glistening rock
Wetted his appetite for salt sand mud and adventure
The old man needed no torch other than rays in his heart
The tide had gone out again under guide of the moon
As he collected pebbles and memories of the dolphin
He once used to be singing in chorus with sea gulls
‘Higher’ they shouted their concert ‘catch us if you dare’
But he was happy with echoes’ laughter closer to earth
He remembered the old lighthouse keeper of his youth
Never moaning and always on duty as he lit the flame
Pointed safe home and haven near cliffs at the channel
While the water did what it had to assigned by the stars
A beacon stood forlorn and dated but held its proud ground
With a bracelet of rose gold and onyx dangling quite loose
He braced himself for the winter in his shack by the shore
Said silent prayers for his love who gave him the bangle
‘One day’ he promised ‘we will sit by the fire in heaven’
‘And roast a few marshmallows and hail shadows of light’
25th November 2019
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