Blackouts

Blackouts - 22nd October 2012

They come
Like sudden showers of rain
These blackouts.
I must have spent
More than half my life
In the dark,
Or sleeping,
Or dreaming,
Or wishing
For disappearing days
And endless nights.
I know,
You should be
Careful about what you wish for!
Though now that it is coming -
The Doom of Men or
The Gift of the Valar -
I am unperturbed.
.

I read a poem today,
'When I'm Sixty Four'
That I wrote seven years ago
About the overwhelming effect
'Birds Without Wings'
Had had upon me.
Now I am Sixty Four -
To the day!
It seems just like yesterday.
I remember clearly
Sending the poem to Louis de Bernière
And getting a post card in reply.
The thought of seven years time
Is disconcerting.
Still,
The readiness is all;
Let the world wag;
It's all one.