Fallen Hero

I once saw you
riding a shining trail
across a wartorn summer sky:
trailing flags as favours,
weaving gentle-river words
and absorbing my love
as part of your own.

But your truth was but a duty,
as you saved your perfect love
for the one
you were still seeking:
searching behind every
face and within
every shadow.
and my flying love
weighed heavy
as lead
round your neck.

But now you write storms
of blame and sorrow

and I try to hold together
a long-tattered dream
with one hand,
while waving welcome
to a new tomorrow
with the other.

1994