The Milky Way and Back

Fantastic – your zoom lens. Thought
I’d experiment. Take a stab at the moon
to add to your album. On reflection,
you’ll have a bird’s eye view from where you are.
Well thumbed it is. I often flick through it.
Hale Bopp – way back in 1997. Great,
those pictures you took, dab-hand that you were.
My photo’s bound to be crap. Never did have the knack.
Way too many knobs to push, settings to set.
Your camera’s still fine – by some miracle.
Haven’t broken it yet except, true to form,
I’m bound to find a way. Calamity Jane
didn’t you always call me? Sweet charity
it’s cold out here! Enough to freeze the balls
off a brass monkey, but one good thing,
the sky’s clear as a bell. Hey! I’m sure I saw
a shooting star just then. The Perseides
more than likely. When are they exactly?
July, I think. You always knew. Reminds me
of that summer’s night two years ago
when we walked up Box Hill. Sat there till dawn
and never saw one. Strange – this thing we call ‘life’.
The easier it gets the harder it becomes.
I’m wearing your coat. Hoped you wouldn’t mind.
In a pocket found this dog-eared note. “Happy birthday, Dad.
Hope this will help to keep you snug. Love you
to the Milky Way and back. Cathy xxx”.