Poetry

Ever and Again by Gabriel Fielding Ever and again the world recedes in soundA distant stir of voices knockings criesSteam whistling from an engine long ago. So does my life seem now to meSome murmurings, some broken songsComing through a window which will close. Yet green places too so many wetAnd gleaming deeps have been my lotThat between each one the joy calls out. A curious claim in dreadful thingsMurder most close, outbreaks of love and fireGreat accidents and gaping quakes. All that’s scaled to raging mindIn cracking of an aphid’s wingOr fission of a city’s heart. Such hurts as lodge in chambersOf the skull attending Heaven’s salveIn wide more disinfected light. All now reduced to quietnessMoon illumined clamour ever and againSinging from a shadow in the wind. Ever and again the world recedes in soundA distant stir of voices knockings criesSteam whistling from an engine long ago. So does my life seem now to meSome murmurings, some broken songsComing through a window which will close. Gabriel Fielding 1986