Ratification Path

A path to Bray Hill

I have, in some small way, to feel the force
Of what has gone before and what has laid
My little heart asunder and destraught
And which it is that makes me what I'm made

I climbed a hill which once I'd climbed before
And as I stood atop, on rocks and bricks
I wondered what old souls who'd climbed it saw
In years gone by when drew it fire-lit sticks

For as Bray Hill stands now it serves no use
Save climbing play for man and dog or beast
But days there were when climbing this hill may
Have saved the lives of many, or made feast

For under sky so luminous and large
And over sea so calming at the mouth
The land it seems to rise like swelling breast
And in it's pride sings out to north and south

As such I feel my knowledge and my past
Hides fearless acts and bravery unknown
Yet chokes back tears with all raw choice made fast
As roads untrod and vegetables ungrown

For deep within I know I have a seam
Of mightier and lesser yet untapped
And roads, like streams, with all meanderings,
Have habit for source-finding yet unmapped

So plainly what has led me here was meet
Which made me growl and grind and stretched eyes wide
Has served it's course, and now I find my feet
Planted firmly on this path inside

The light has grown so dark so suddenly
As stepping in from bright to enclosed space
But slowly, ghostly shadows flit and dart
My senses shift and gradually a face
Takes resonance within a darkened heart
Familiar with sleek and chiselled form
And well I know this oldest love of all,
As old as earth and welcome as the dawn

And smile I will when full this face becomes
And smiles it's fullest, passionate of smiles
And love sings in the wind high up this hill
And well is worth the passage of my miles.

I have, in some small way, begun to feel
The force of what has gone before and laid
This bleeding heart and left it so bereft
Is done, and healed, and makes me what I'm made

Djm 27.10.02